wwdc2014_1000x625This event is Apple’s most watched and anticipated conference of the year on June 2, 2014. This year the announcements centered on OSX, iOS8 and a significant portion of the program on new tools for developers. There were no new hardware release announcements.

osxYosemiteOSX Yosemite

Yosemite is the next upgrade for all Macs which was released to developers at the conference. Apple chief, Time Cook, notes that the last upgrade, Mavericks, was the fastest adopted computer operating system, with more than half updating. By comparison, only 14% of PC owners jumped to Windows 8. “Need I say more?” says Cook. Yosemite will be available as a beta download this summer and you can upgrade by clicking here when it is released. It will be free for anyone when it released later this fall in its official released version.

It has some exciting new features:

(1) The Menu interface looks a touch sleeker than Mavericks with a simpler look.

(2) Icons get a new look, while the fonts included are a more “consistent and clear type,” with very subtle changes. There’s also a Dark mode for those who don’t like the clear, bright look.

(3) The Notification Center has some new features which adds a Today view with current appointments, weather, etc. There are also widgets for topics such as News, Sports or even a calculator and you can add widgets from third parties, such as ESPN.

(4) Spotlight has been refined, too. A search bar pops up in the middle of the screen, where users can seek out apps or specific files or search contacts and provides basic information, but also whether any are involved in similar events or appointments as the user.

(4) Calendar gets a few tweaks, including a new Day view with detailed information on appointments or events and functions similarly to the way notifications work on the iPhone.

icloudstorage(5) iCloud Drive now works across Macs and mobile devices, syncing across all of them. When using Mail, there is a new Mail Drive feature created to solve the issue with sending large attachments (up to 5 Gigs!). The feature sends encrypted attachments that make it easier to download.

(6) The AirDrop tool that now lets users quickly share photos or other items works across Macs and iOS devices, so, a user can take a Mac photo and easily AirDrop that onto a iPhone or iPad.

(7) Handoff allows devices to immediately recognize what you’re doing and to pick up a task when switching between devices, whether it is your Mac, iPad or iPhone (part of the next feature). An article in the Apple Insider goes into depth why this app has gotten the attention of physicians.

(8) Continuity is new feature announced with Yosemite that syncs all your Apple devices. For example, let’s say you are writing an email on your Mac and then swipe up on your iPad to finish where you left off. And, even cooler, you can continue a conversation on your Mac that was started on your iPhone. All your devices have an icon in the lower left corner showing what you were last working on what device. Just click on it and ‘continue’ with Continuity.

(9) Phone calls. Users can now make calls from your Mac using Yosemite allowing users to use their computer as a speaker phone. This feature integrates with your iPhone and will also work on your iPod Touch or iPad.

iOS8iOS8

Cook released the numbers and now there are 800 million iOS devices of which half a billion are iPhones announcing that iOS8 is a ‘giant release.’

There are some tweaks and improvements to Notifications, Spotlight. The Keyboard got an overhaul that improves suggesting words and sentences for you and allows third party keyboards to work across all iOS devices. However the real improvements worth noting are:

(1) Messages – You can now send an audio message rather than using the keyboard which is easy to use and simple. You can do this by simply raising your iPhone to your ear, speaking your message and then lowering your iPhone and it automatically sends the audio message that the user simply clicks on to listen to. You can also listen to audio Messages the same way by raising your iPhone to your ear without having to unlock the screen. There is also a new DETAILS feature in the upper right corner that gives you all sorts of information about who sent you the message or who you are sending the message to. This also allows you share your location with others and know their location if they give you permission. One other new feature is a DO NOT DISTURB button that stops the message thread from disturbing you if you prefer.

(2) Tap to Talk is a new feature that makes it easier to send an audio message.

enterprise(3) Enterprise – 98% of the Fortune 500 works with iOS. Apple says aDevice Enrollment Program will let companies get devices straight from the box configured to fit their needs. The new operating system will add better encryption and VIP threads, which gives users notifications for important updates.

(4) HealthKit is a single place for applications to contribute “a composite profile of your health.” A Health App measures the most important metrics, and works with third-party apps. Nike is among the partners. Apple says they’re working with Mayo Clinic to automatically manage wellness plans and vital signs.

(5) Family Sharing a new app which is compared  to sharing photos on the refrigerator. Family members can share photo streams, reminders, calendars or “find my kids’ devices.” All family purchases sync together between devices as well. It works with up to six family members linked to a single credit card. However, when a child tries to purchase an app, the parent receives a request to grant permission for that download.

(6) Photos has improved the search features. Light adjustments are now completed by simply swiping left to right with your finger. All changes are updated and stored in iCloud, changing immediately on multiple devices.

(7) App Store – Tim Cook announced that the App Store, which features 1.2 million apps and 300 million visitors a week has more than 75 billion apps that have been downloaded since its inception. A new improved search feature has been integrated into the App Store which should make it easier to navigate.

(8) Enhanced Privacy Features. With iOS8 many of the issues about tracking your device with MAC addresses have been resolved for those who want to turn their mobile device off to tracking your location. For more information on this read the article in Apple Insider.

Developers

appleSwiftIf you are into what Apple has done for developers the WWDC 2014 conference has a hefty portion dedicated to the new apps just released for developers and how Apple is supporting developers to make more and improved applications for all its devices. Swift got the most eyebrows raised but you need to be a developer to appreciate Swift’s power. You can click here and learn more about why.

HomeKit – Allows developers to integrate apps into a coherent package with different automatic home devices so that your iPhone, and only your personal iPhone can open the garage door, turn on/off the lights, adjust the thermostat, turn on the music and entertainment system.

You can watch the entire conference on video by clicking here.

Apple Official Preview of Yosemite

Apple Official Preview of iOS8