Apple hosted this week’s WWDC 2022 keynote, announcing iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, and watchOS 9, as expected. In addition to showcasing its new software advancements, Apple took to the WWDC stage to unveil a new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro as two of its new hardware offerings. The company’s M2 chip powers both new MacBook models. Between the two models, the new MacBook Air — also known as MacBook Air (2022) — features an all-new design that brings it closer to the MacBook Pro family.
Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital Host Akhil Arora speaks with Executive Editor Jamshed Avari and Review Editor Roydon Cerejo to discuss WWDC 2022 and its key announcements.
The biggest announcement from this year’s WWDC keynote is iOS 16. The new operating system for the iPhone comes with a redesigned lock screen that supports widgets and customizations. Apple has also redesigned how we receive notifications on the lock screen on iOS 16 to ensure that users get a clear view of their personalized screen as they acquire new messages.
In addition to the new lock screen that has seen much-anticipated cosmetic changes, iOS 16 has a new Messages app that can edit or even undo a sent message. Apple has also introduced the iCloud Shared Photo Library feature, allowing users to share photos with their family members seamlessly. But as of now, it’s impossible to say if this new addition will get a lot of attention, as it can be confusing for many to know how best to use them.
The iOS 16 update also brings a feature called Visual Look Up, which allows users to touch and hold the subject in an image to remove it from the background and use it in apps, including Messages. Apple said the feature could recognize birds, insects, and statues, among other things. This addition would make it easier for users to clear their images’ backgrounds without using a third-party app. However, it is only possible on iPhones with A12 Bionic and later.
In addition to iOS 16, Apple presented macOS Ventura as the next software version for Mac devices. The new operating system includes features including a Stage Manager, designed to enhance multitasking by allowing users to easily switch between apps and windows from a new side panel.
The new macOS release also comes with a Continuity Camera feature that allows MacBook consumers to use an iPhone as a webcam. And with Desk View, you can use the ultra-wide camera on the iPhone to show not only what’s on the front of the MacBook (aka you) but also the bottom (aka the keyboard).
Exact details about how the Continuity Camera will be deployed have not yet been disclosed. Apple has also not made it clear whether the feature will be limited to the iPhone’s rear camera or whether it will work with its selfie camera as well.
This year’s WWDC also brought the MacBook Air (2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022) as new hardware offerings. While the new MacBook Pro model shares the same design as its existing siblings, the new MacBook Air features a fresh design with a notch for the display and replaces the previous wedge-shaped frame with a flat one.
Apple also introduced the M2 chip that comes first on the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. However, some customers may be confused between choosing the M2 and M1 Pro as they were only unveiled a few months apart. The new chip comes as a successor to the M1 chip, not as an upgrade to the M1 Pro or M1 Ultra.
Notably, the M2-based MacBook Air (2022) is more expensive than its M1 counterpart, introduced in 2020. The new model starts at Rs. 1,19,900, while the existing MacBook Air is available from Rs. 92,900.
During the keynote, Apple also showcased watchOS 9 with new workout enhancements, watch faces, and features, including sleep stages and the Medicine app. The company also announced iPadOS 16 as the new operating system for the iPad. It brings Stage Manager to the iPad Pro models to enhance multitasking and make them work in line with MacBooks.
We’ll cover more about watchOS 9 and iPadOS 16 and some tidbits from this year’s WWDC. You can listen to all this by hitting the Spotify player’s play button.
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