Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference keynote was all about software; those hoping for updated MacBooks were likely disappointed. Instead, this was truly an event just for Apple developers, a group now 20 million strong.
Though we heard about updates coming to watchOS and macOS at WWDC, iOS 12 was top of mind for many a developer. Now, all iOS users can snag Cupertino's latest mobile OS; iOS 12 is available to download.
New features coming to Apple's mobile operating system range from the serious, like faster app launching and new ways to combat tech addiction, to silly things like Memoji. Here are some of its most interesting features.
Memoji
Screen Time
Tech addiction is a hot topic lately. Google is adding "well being" features to Android Pie, and Apple's version is Screen Time, which arrives with iOS 12. You'll get an overview of how much time you spend on your iOS devices, and which apps suck up most of your time. You can set limits, and iOS 12 will warn you when it's time to sign off.
If you tend to get inundated with notifications during the night, meanwhile, you can stop them from showing up on your screen until a certain time, and you can group discussions so the alerts don't get out of control.
Parents can do the same for their kids, limiting access to iOS at certain times of the day (like bedtime) or to certain apps, like Snapchat.
If you think you're clever by swapping iPhone for iPad for a few more minutes of screen time, don't bother. Activity is synced across devices.
Siri Shortcuts
Siri has fallen behind Amazon's Alexa and the Google Assistant when it comes to the smart home, but Cupertino is not giving up. With Shortcuts, you can create a phrase that will be Siri's cue to perform a series of tasks, much like routines for Alexa or Google.
"Heading home," for example, could alert Siri to map your commute, turn on the A/C at home, and start playing a podcast.
"Users can customize Shortcuts by creating a simple voice command to kick off the task or download the new Shortcuts app to create a series of actions from different apps that can be carried out with a simple tap or customized voice command," Apple says.
ARKit 2
Photos
Faster Performance
911 Location Sharing
Group FaceTime
With Group FaceTime, you can talk with up to 32 people at once, which might seem excessive, unless Apple wants enterprise users to pick it up. Unfortunately, it's not launching until later this fall, but it's in the works.
When it does appear, participants' images will show up in small boxes on the screen. As people speak, their images will bubble up and appear more prominently. But you can also tap on the video of certain person if you only want to see them.
If you're having a group chat on Messages, you can turn the discussion into a Group FaceTime chat at any time and drop in and out of the conversation as needed.
You can even use Memoji on an iPhone X to turn your mug into a cartoon version of yourself during a group video chat.