June 7, 2021
This years virtual keynote was a polished but long winded 105 minute affair that lacked any wow moment. Here’s some of what Apple announced…
HomeKit
HomeKeys – unlock your house, office, hotel room, car with iPhone or Apple WatchAsk Siri to play TV showsSharePlay allows you to watch with friends via FaceTimeHomePod Mini can be a selected as speaker for Apple TV3rd party HomeKit accessory makers can now add Siri to their devicesmatter support coming in iOS 15
General Stuff
Mail privacy protection hides your IP and stops read notifications. New setting to show what an app accesses and what URLs it shares your data with. On device speech recognition means no recordings to the cloud. Also means no Internet connection required for some Siri commands. iCloud accounts can now add a recovery contact as well as ‘Legacy’ contacts for when you die.
New iCloud+ service adds Private Relay, encrypting your traffic and routing it through 2 relays. HomeKit encrypted video support.
The Health App can measure mobility data and Walking Steadiness checks if your fall risk is increasing. New sharing health data capabilities with your doctor (US only) or people you choose – monitor elderly parents for example.
macOS
macOS Monterey – public beta in JulyUniversal Control – single mouse and keyboard across Mac and iPad AirPlay to Mac – send AV to a MacShortcuts coming to the MacSafari – Redesign reduces clutter & adds Tab GroupsSafari get extensions on iPhone & iPadFocus – allows you to filter certain apps and peopleTestFlight coming to the Mac
iOS
iOS 15 – public beta in JulyMessages – ‘Shared with You’ for new ways to share photos and musicFaceTime – many feature updatesSharePlay – new way to watch and listen togetherNotifications – tweaked design with Notification SummaryFocus – allows you to filter certain apps and people, across all devicesLive Text – pulls text from photosPhoto Search added to SpotlightKeys coming to homes, offices and hotels as well as carsID Cards (eg US Driving licenses) coming to WalletMaps – 3D Cities (inc London) coming to CarPlay too
iPadOS
New Multitasking controlsThe ‘Shelf’ shows minimised open appsWidgets can now be placed anywhere on home screenApp library added to iPad, same as iPhoneQuick Note – launched from corner of almost any appTranslate coming to iPadSwift Playgrounds – build apps on iPad
watchOS
watchOS 8New Fitness+ Workouts AddedNew Portraits Watch faceShare photos, messages and mail directly from watchNew app shelfA new animation in Breathe app (seriously)
AirPods
Conversation Boost for AirPods ProSiri can now announce notificationsAirPods can now be found using the Find My appSpacial Audio coming to tvOS and M1 Macs