Apple Worldwide Builders Convention Day 1: WWDC Highlights

Apple introduced sweeping modifications to its merchandise on Monday, the primary day of its annual Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC).

Notably, the iPhone maker confirmed rumors that it’s altering the way it names its software program updates. As a substitute of utilizing a model quantity, Apple will use a system with a quantity that represents the yr after the replace is launched. Apple’s subsequent replace will likely be iOS 26, arriving within the fall for many Apple customers.

The naming change applies to all Apple merchandise. For instance, the following iPad replace will likely be named iPadOS 26, and the following MacBook replace will likely be known as macOS 26.

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Apple introduced different modifications, like a brand new design and AI options. The corporate has made all the new options out there for testing beginning on Monday via the Apple Developer program, with a public beta model to be launched subsequent month and a broader replace rolling out this fall.

“We proceed to advance every of our platforms with extra methods to harness the facility of Apple Intelligence, in addition to a fantastic new design, our product experiences grow to be much more seamless and gratifying,” Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner mentioned in the course of the occasion keynote.

Listed here are some fascinating new capabilities Apple debuted on Monday.

1. A brand new design with Liquid Glass

Apple made its largest design replace ever, with a brand new design component known as Liquid Glass. The translucent component, which Apple used to craft new buttons, switches, tab bars, and notifications throughout its merchandise, appears to be like like glass on the display and takes on the colour of its setting.

“That is our broadest software program design replace ever,” Alan Dye, Apple’s vp of Human Interface Design, said in a press launch. “It combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity solely Apple can obtain, because it transforms relying in your content material or context.”

Apple has built-in Liquid Glass parts into its redesign, together with translucent menus that reply to a person’s perspective of the display and a brand new lock display with a Liquid Glass time.

^{Liquid Glass time on the lock display. Credit score: Apple}

Apple’s new Liquid Glass design applies to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS for a unified look.

2. Reside Translation will likely be built-in into the iPhone

Apple is bringing Reside Translation to Messages, FaceTime, and Cellphone to translate textual content and audio on the spot. The AI-powered function is backed by Apple-built AI fashions that run completely regionally, so private conversations are by no means uploaded to the cloud.

Reside Translation implies that customers can speak to one another in several languages, and have the interpretation seem on the display in real-time. For instance, when a person receives an iMessage in one other language, they’ll go for that message to be translated into their most well-liked language. On FaceTime, a person can hear somebody speaking in one other language whereas following together with translated stay captions.

^{Reside Translation on FaceTime. Credit score: Apple}

Reside Translation might assist overcome language limitations for enterprise calls and private calls alike.

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3. Visible intelligence will get sharper

Apple is bringing extra AI capabilities to the forefront with visible intelligence. Customers can faucet into their iPhone cameras and use what they see to ask ChatGPT questions. They’ll additionally search Google or Etsy to search out merchandise much like what they’re .

Visible intelligence additionally acknowledges when a person is a poster of an occasion, and may extract the information so as to add as an occasion on their calendar.

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4. Exercise Buddy on Apple Watch

Apple is including an AI exercise companion to the Apple Watch known as Exercise Buddy.

Exercise Buddy considers metrics tracked by the Apple Watch, like coronary heart charge, tempo, distance, and former exercises, and leverages this data to encourage customers throughout their exercises with verbal encouragement.

For instance, when a person begins their run, Exercise Buddy might say, “Nice job beginning your run. That is your second run this week.”

Exercise Buddy will likely be out there for exercise sorts like indoor run and out of doors cycle.