Apple's WWDC 2018 Live Stream Highlights: iOS 12, Performance Enhancements, and More

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On Monday, June 4th 2018, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) held its annual World Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California. Apple live streamed the conference sessions, including a kickoff keynote speech from CEO Tim Cook.

Here are a few WWDC highlights:

iOS 12 Updates:

  • iOS 12 will debut Fall 2018. There's a long list of new features across several platforms.
  • iPhone: Updates will include the addition of Siri Shortcuts, Photo Search and Sharing, Facetime Group Calling up to 32 people, more iMessage stickers, streamlined notifications, a Do Not Disturb feature, and the use of third-party apps in CarPlay. The update will also include improved "Animoji," the 3D emoji capable of replicating the user's facial expressions, and "Memoji," which will let users create Animoji in their exact likeness.
  • Apple MacOS: New features for the "Mojave" OS will include dark mode, desktop stacks to organize data, added Safari privacy protections and increased security controls, enhanced versions of original Apple apps, and a redesigned Mac App Store.
  • Apple Watch: Apple WatchOS 5 will include an improved walkie-talkie feature and new ways users can automatically monitor their daily exercise activity.
  • Apple TV: Apple TV 4K will now be compatible with Dolby Atmos sound to enhance sound for iTunes titles.
Update on ARKit 2.0: Apple has continued to develop its augmented reality features. ARKit 2.0 will extend the support established by ARKit 1.5, so that users will now be able to incorporate movable objects in their AR experiences. ARKit2 will also be able to detect 3D objects, enabling Apple users to take the measurements of real-life objects. Apple will also introduce AR sharing, so multiple users can simultaneously enjoy AR experiences or multiplayer games.

Tech Ethics: In response to public and investor concern over rampant screen addiction, Apple introduced Screen Time, a tool to help customers monitor and limit their app usage (and help parents manage their kids' usage).

Digital Privacy: To address mounting anxiety over user security, Apple will tighten existing privacy controls. Apple's Safari app, for instance, will now protect user privacy by blocking web advertisements from collecting user data and harvesting identifying information. This will also stop unknown websites from tracking a user's data via widgets like Safari's share button.

Performance Speed: The new update will improve operating speed across Apple platforms. Apple's camera will be 70% faster, and its keyboard will be 50% faster in display. Apple downloads from the App Store will be twice as fast to launch.

Bug Fixes: Apple is pausing the development of a redesigned home screen to focus fixing past glitches and bugs. For example, in 2017, many iOS users reported a bug in which the system autocorrected the letter "i" to an entirely different symbol. Apple is taking pains to fix glitches so that the autumn release of iOS goes as smoothly as possible.