Unveiling Potential Responses Apple May (or May Not) Deliver at WWDC 2019
On the first Monday of this year, a gathering of developers and the press gathers in the heart of San Jose to learn about Apple's software plans for the upcoming twelve months. Here are some things I hope Apple addresses at this year's WWDC:
Will iOS finally get a true-to-life dark mode?
It seems so. With macOS featuring a dark mode in its most recent update and Android following suit, it's only logical that iOS will eventually join the party. Plus, pictures of the mode surfaced on 9to5Mac this week. Let's hope it's visually appealing and beneficial to those with OLED displays on their iPhones.
Besides this much-desired dark mode, Bloomberg has outlined various new features likely to appear in the next version of iOS. Some of these include a beefed-up Mail app that can block emails from certain accounts, an upgraded To Do app with more complexity, and a more involved Bedtime tab in the Clock app.
Will my iPhone or Apple Watch track my sleep?
Progress is on the horizon, though it may not be there just yet. Existing third-party sleep tracker apps are limited, and Apple has yet to offer a native solution. However, the Bedtime tab in the Clock app should provide more extensive sleep tracking features for the Apple Watch, but it may not be live right away.
Instead, Bloomberg suggests we'll see a Sleep Mode for the iPhone that will automatically mute notifications, turn on Do Not Disturb, and dim the lock screen.
Will the Apple Watch get better battery life?
Unfortunately, it's unlikely. While an updated version of watchOS could potentially optimize battery life on earlier Apple Watches, the battery life improvements might not be significant enough to generate excitement.
Given this, sleep tracking may not make its way to the Apple Watch anytime soon. Currently, the watch provides 18 to 24 hours of battery life. If Apple truly wants people to wear their watches to bed every night, they'll need to improve battery life substantially.
Will the iPhone Health app become more useful?
Signs point to yes. According to reports, Apple is planning to refresh the Health app and update its landing screen. They should also add a new "Hearing Health" feature to monitor sound levels and a period tracking feature, similar to that available on competing devices like Fitbit.
Will Apple finally unveil the new Mac Pro?
There's a strong chance. The Mac Pro hasn't been significantly updated since 2013, and with Intel releasing new Xeon processors and AMD partnering with Apple to create proprietary GPUs, it's the perfect time for a redesign.
Recent rumors suggest that Apple may be planning multiple hardware updates around WWDC, including a new MacBook Pro and iPod Touch, indicating some major announcements may be in store.
Will Marzipan make its debut?
Absolutely. Marzipan is the internal name for a set of developer tools that will allow developers to create a single app that works across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This could potentially unite iOS and macOS and provide developers with more opportunities to create apps for a larger user base.
While Apple has denied merging the two operating systems in the past, the existence of Marzipan and universal apps like the News and Voice Memo apps suggest that progress is being made in this area.
Will Apple kill off macOS?
None whatsoever. While Marzipan and mouse support on the iPad Pro might make them more competitive with macOS iMacs, it's unlikely that macOS will disappear entirely.
Other rumors suggest that we might see a new iPod Touch refresh at the event, as well as more details on Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and a horde of other features. It's an exciting time for Apple fans, so stay tuned!
In the future of tech, we might see Apple employing Marzipan, a set of developer tools, to enable a single app that functions across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This could provide a larger user base and opportunities for developers.
Regarding iOS, there's hope that it will eventually offer a true-to-life dark mode, which will be visually appealing and beneficial for iPhone users with OLED displays. This feature has been requested due to its presence in macOS and Android.
Furthermore, in the realm of Apple Watch, there are predictions that a Sleep Mode will be introduced, automatically muting notifications, turning on Do Not Disturb, and dimming the lock screen during night hours.
Lastly, in the context of tech advancements, Apple is reportedly planning to refresh the Health app, adding new features like a "Hearing Health" feature and a period tracking feature to make it more useful for users.
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