Presenting your daily roundup of all things WWDC.
- For version 3 of the Apple Watch OS, Apple announced ‘Instant Launch,’ which promises to allow apps to launch up to seven times faster. Maybe it’s the boost needed to turn the watch’s fortunes around.
- 6,000 native apps have been created for Apple TV with tvOS in the past six months. Should be interesting to see downloads over the coming weeks and months. We’ll be sure to track.
- Apple is attempting to bridge the gap between iOS and tvOS by introducing the automatic download of apps across devices. Download an app on your Apple TV, it appears on your iPhone.
- Introduction of “Single Sign-on” allows users to sign in with cable network provider and access content across multiple network apps (HBO, ABC, NBC, etc). We’ll be sure to follow how it impacts downloads of individual network apps.
- iOS 10:
- “Raise to wake” feature allows for more enhanced interaction with apps within notifications on lock screen.
- Continued emphasis on widgets to glean key information from app (i.e., ESPN sports scores) without the need to open the app.
- Siri is now open to developers. Users will now be able to command Siri to perform tasks stemming from third-party apps. Ex. “Siri, order an Uber now.”
- Siri will now make suggestions based on your current location, calendar availability, contact information, recent addresses, and more.
- Apple Maps to be more “proactive,” with more suggestions from everything to restaurants to routes to avoid traffic. Also, like Siri, will be opened to developers.
- Apple Music gets a UI redesign. Will it be enough to challenge Spotify? Or bury Tidal?
- Apple News will have breaking news notifications and subscriptions, which seems to underscore Apples commitment to a subscription-based App Store.
- Introduction of Apple Home, an all-new app to help control all connected devices around home. Extends to the Apple Watch.
- Apple is opening up Messages to developers. Developers can now build apps for things like stickers, or even allow for payment within Messages itself.
- Available for download in the fall for the iPhone 5 and higher, iPod touch 6th generation, iPad mini 2 and higher, iPad 4th generation, and iPad Air and iPad Pro.
Key Takeaways:
Apple is determined to keep users within its ecosystem, with an increased emphasis on cohesiveness between devices. This is evident through such new features as automatic downloads, and by the reengineering of some Apple apps (Music, News, Maps) to include more closely aligned design elements.
Additionally, Apple has granted more freedom than ever to developers, permitting them to better integrate with applications such as Siri, Messages, Maps, and opening up new ways to communicate with users through the widget and “raise to wake” features.
