Apple presents the new versions of macOS, iOS, watchOS and tvOS every year at the WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference). The mobile operating system iOS is attracting particular interest - now further details about iOS 13, watchOS 6 and macOS 10.15 have emerged.
Well-known Bloomberg editor Mark Gurman, like several others, has excellent sources in Cupertino. In his latest article, he writes about new features in iOS 13, watchOS 6 and macOS 10.15. The business magazine today published a detailed report on what Apple plans to release in iOS 13, watchOS 6 and macOS 10.15. Apple will officially announce the new operating systems at WWDC 19 on June 3rd.
New features in iOS 13
According to Bloomberg, with iOS 13, Apple will once again focus on performance and speed improvements. There will also be new animations and a revised view of the widget screen. However, iOS 13 is set to be much more than just a performance improvement. The long-awaited dark mode is also set to arrive. Accordingly, under iOS 13 it will be possible to use the screen in black or gray across the system. The user can access the setting directly from the control center. Apple is also planning to revise the reminder app and update iMessage. The health application is also set to be expanded. Under iOS 13, the Health app will provide a daily health report - according to Gurman. Recording the menstrual cycle should also be possible in the future.
Screen Time gets new features
The Friends app and iPhone Search will become one in the future - the merger project is known internally under the code name "Green Touch". The Mail app will also be updated. This will allow users to block contacts directly from the application in the future - it will also be possible to mute conversations. In addition to the innovations mentioned above, Apple will expand screen time. One of the new features is the ability for parents to set limits based on individual contacts. For example, screen time could be configured so that friends can only be notified at certain times of the day.
download function in Safari
The Home app will also be significantly improved - the integration of surveillance cameras will be optimized. Apple will also make extensive improvements to the iOS keyboard - this includes new swipe gestures. The Files app will also be updated in iOS 13. As part of this, Safari will be given a download function - finally! Of course, the iPad will also benefit from iOS 13. Among other things, Apple is planning the "Window" function. This will allow users to keep several tabs of a specific app open at the same time - similar to the principle of Safari on the Mac. Split View will also be taken into account.
New features in watchOS 6
The Apple Watch is also set to get a new look under watchOS 6. On the way to greater independence from the iPhone, the Apple Watch will get its own AppStore for the first time. This will be available as an app on the Apple Watch. Apple will release a variety of new apps with watchOS 6 - including voice memos, Apple Books (for audiobooks) and a calculator. The Health app will also be expanded. For example, the Apple Watch can track medication intake and menstrual cycles under watchOS 6. There will also be several new watch faces and complications - according to Bloomberg. These include a new infograph and a solar watch - an audiobook complication is also planned.
New features in macOS 10.15
The Bloomberg report focuses less on macOS, but reinforces the main theme of the 2019 update, namely Project Marzipan. Marzipan is intended to make porting iOS apps to macOS much easier. Apple also wants to implement Screen Time and Siri Shortcuts, which are familiar from iOS.
In addition, a standalone podcast and music app is planned. The new friends/iPhone search app is also set to be introduced.
The HomePod is not left out
Apple's Siri speaker is set to get multi-user support with the new update. This feature would enable the HomePod to distinguish between different voices and offer different functions to each user. At the moment, the HomePod only responds to one voice. A so-called multi-user mode would make the device more useful in a family - and the HomePod would also be more competitive with Google Home and the Amazon Echo.
As usual, Gurman stresses that Apple could change its plans up until the WWDC 19 event – it wouldn't be the first time that Apple removed features at the last minute and introduced them at a later date.