Bloomberg is out with its roundup of what to expect from WWDC 2019 next month. The report details some of the new features that will be a part of iOS 13, watchOS 6, and more.
In iOS 13, Apple will be revamping many of the core system apps. This includes Maps, Reminders, and Messages. The Health app will also be revamped and its health-tracking capabilities will also be improved.
iOS 13 Features
New Animations, UI Tweaks
Codenamed “Yukon,” iOS 13 will include a number of new features that were initially supposed to be released with iOS 12 last year along with some user interface tweaks. This includes a new animation when opening/closing apps and bringing up the App Switcher. The widgets section will also get a redesign to make it look cleaner. Apple will also be focusing on performance improvements and stability this year.
Dark Mode
As previous leaks had claimed, iOS 13 will bring a system-wide Dark mode to the OS.
New Health App
The new Health app in iOS 13 will have a new dashboard that will highlight one’s daily activity. It will also have a “hearing health” section where it will highlight how loud a user plays their music or the loudness of the external environment they were exposed to.
New Messages App
The updated Messages app will let users set a profile picture and name similar to other popular messaging services out there. Users will be able to control who will be able to see their profile picture and name. There will also bee a new menu in the conversation view from where users can quickly send stickers version of Animoji/Memoji.
Updated Reminders App
The Reminders app is getting an overhaul in iOS 13 and better to-do features to compete with other similar third-party features. It will have a new UI that will split tasks across four section: ones which need to be done today, all tasks, scheduled tasks, and flagged tasks.
Apple Books
The revamped Apple Books app will encourage users to read more with its rewards system and a progress tracker.
Updated Screen Time
Screen Time in iOS 13 will get a new feature that will allow parents to limit who their children contact and when. They can prevent their kids from contacting anyone but them during a certain time of the day.
New Maps App
The refreshed Maps app will let users set shortcuts to their frequently visited locations so that they can quickly get navigation directions.
Upgraded Home App
The Home app will be getting an upgrade in iOS 13 and tie in with security cameras and allow users to view past recordings.
Organized Share Sheet
The Share sheet will be getting a more organized interface for sharing photos and links. It will also automatically recommend contacts to share content with depending on how frequently you contact them.
Sleep Mode
There will be a new Sleep mode in iOS 13 that will tie with the Bedtime feature in the Clock app. It will automatically turn on Do Not Disturb, switch to Dark mode, and mute all notifications.
Download Manager
Safari is getting a download manager in Safari thereby allowing users to manage the files they download from the web browser on their iPhone/iPad.
Updated Multitasking Interface on iPad
The Multitasking view is getting a revamp on the iPad to make it easier to cycle between different apps. Users will also be able to open and run multiple instances of the same apps.
SwiftKey-like Keyboard?
Apple is testing a version of the iOS keyboard that could let users swipe across words to type them. This is similar to Gboard and SwiftKey on Android. However, the company might keep this feature private and not release it as a part of iOS 13.
watchOS 6 Features
Below are all the new features that will be a part of watchOS 6:
App Store
The upcoming OS update will introduce a standalone App Store on the Apple Watch so that users can directly browse and download apps on the wearable without relying on their iPhone.
New System Apps
watchOS 6 will bring the Voice Memos app from iOS to the Apple Watch. There will also be a Calculator and Books app as a part of watchOS 6. Apple will also be bundling two new health applications: Dose and Cycles. The first one will be used for pill reminders while the second one will be used to track menstrual cycles.
Stickers
Animoji and Memoji stickers will be available on the Apple Watch.
New Complications and Watch Faces
watchOS 6 will debut new watch faces including a “Gradient” face and two new “X-Large” faces, and more. Apple will also let users add more watch face “Complications” including one to show the battery life of hearing aids, another one to measure the external noise, track status of audiobooks, and more.
Overall, it looks like iOS 13 and watchOS 6 are going to be massive updates that will revamp many of the existing system apps and add new features.
[Via Bloomberg]
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