As one of the biggest events in Apple's yearly calendar, its Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, showcased this week a huge number of new software updates coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs, along with updates for Watch, Apple TV and iCloud. Considered by many as a sneak peek into what these devices will be able to do in the very near future, it also heralds the arrival a new iPhone and more in the spring.
iOS 15 for iPhones
For us, one of the highlights was the announcement on iOS 15 for iPhones. As we move on from the necessary restrictions of the pandemic, the new software upgrade seems to have been heavily informed by that experience with more Zoom-like capabilities for its video-call app FaceTime.
Fitting for all those who are adapting to hybrid working arrangements, the upgrade allows screen sharing with the ability to hold group calls with all the participants displayed in little boxes and make FaceTime calls beyond people who are using Apple devices.
Importantly for leaders managing enterprise mobility, while FaceTime was previously only useful for immediate calls, with this upgrade, you can put FaceTime calls on the calendar and share a link to them. Even better, those links will also work via the Web for co-workers on Android and Windows devices. The new upgrade allows the user to create a link from iPhone, iPad or Mac, and share it through Messages, Calendar, Mail or third-party apps. As this allows anyone to join a FaceTime call from their Web browser on Android and Windows devices, this is a significant step towards making the iPhone better suited for businesses that support workers using a fleet of different devices.
And in support of the work-from-home aesthetic, this new software also allows users to blur backgrounds – messy or otherwise – while new microphone modes help separate your voice from ambient noise which typically includes barking dogs and incredibly cute though extremely noisy children.
MacOS Monterey
To cherry pick some of the other WWDC announcements, we really loved the latest version of MacOS named Monterey which has a nifty feature called Universal Control. When using a Mac next to an iPad, the upgrade allows you to mouse over the edge of the screen and start controlling the iPad. It also works between multiple Macs and eases document sharing, allowing you to drag and drop documents between the devices.
iPadOS 15
With the coming iPadOS 15 upgrade, users of iPads will have a more intuitive multitasking experience. The new menu provides buttons to go full screen or enable Slide Over or Split View and there’s easy access to switch to one or close the windows.
The new iPadOS feature Quick Note lets users easily jot down notes over any app or screen, offering new ways to collaborate and organise whether typing or writing with Apple Pencil. And as mentioned above, Universal Control allows you to mouse freely between the devices and the keyboard is ready to go wherever your mouse is focused.
Apple updates at WWDC
The full gamut of updates announced by Apple at WWDC include:
- iOS 15 for iPhones
- macOS Monterey for Macs
- iPadOS 15 for iPad
- watchOS 8 for Apple Watch
- Apple Maps
- Privacy updates
- iCloud+
More information about these announcements and the full line-up of software updates is available on Apple’s newsroom. If you are looking to understand the best way they can be used in your company, speak to the team at imei. Delivering tailored mobility management, imei Managed Services can help you equip and support your teams with the best-fit tools for the way your business operates.
