macOS Monterey stars, iOS 15 lets you 'connect' and more: WWDC 2021 as it happened
We've got everything on the new software from Apple, including macOS Monterey
Apple's WWDC 2021 is done and dusted, and while the developer's conference is set to last the majority of this week we've heard all about a bunch of new software.
macOS Monterey was one of the stars of the show, with the new name coming to replace Big Sur as the new Mac operating system. It was Universal Control, where you can use a MacBook or iPad as a second or third screen just by placing them next to each other, that stole the show for us, but we saw new tweaks and design upgrades to Safari (with a new, simplified layout), Shortcuts finally coming to the macOS ecosystem (and replacing Automator) as well as things like Quick Note, which came to iPadOS 15, landing as well.
iOS 15 was the update that many will have been clamoring to hear about, given it'll affect many different devices across the world. It'll come with big FaceTime improvements (with FaceTime even coming to Android), such as background blur and spatial audio, offer far more ways to see links, photos and music that your friends send through Messages as well as work on devices all the way back to the iPhone 6S. That's all the way back to phones from 2015.
iPadOS 15 was an odd update - it seemed to bring more things like widgets to the homescreen, which was already there in the iPhone's iOS 14 from last year. The App Library appears, as well as getting a place in the dock at the bottom of the iPad's display, and things like Quick Note allow you to jot something down using the Apple Pencil from anywhere in the device.
It wasn't the biggest change for the iPad operating system, but it did enhance some multi-tasking features we're looking forward to trying out.
If you were excited about watchOS 8, it's best not to be. It was a very quiet update, with things like Apple's depth-perceiving Portrait images making their way to the Photos watchface, new ways to help you be more mindful during the day and monitoring of your respiratory rate during sleeping.
Given last year, sleep tracking was built into the Watch for the first time, this was a rather underwhelming change.
As expected, we didn't hear anything about upcoming products like an iPhone SE 3, Apple Watch 7 or iPhone 13, but there were a bundle of new features around the key software products.
We won't lie - the lack of hardware was underwhelming, but some of the new features in the software were intriguing, with Apple's dual thrust of connecting to people you love and privacy being constant messages throughout.
- Apple AirPods get a host of new upgrades at WWDC – but where are the AirPods 3?
- The HomePod mini can now double up as your Apple TV 4K's speaker
- macOS 12 Monterey announced - here's what's coming to MacBooks later in 2021
- tvOS and MacOS will get Spatial Audio support for AirPods Pro and Max
- FaceTime is coming to Android, but not how you expect
Welcome to TechRadar's WWDC 2021 live blog. We're getting started early today ahead of the big event, and we'll be here to run you through everything we're expecting from Apple before the stream kicks off.
Expect to hear about updates for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and perhaps even more, with rumors suggesting there will be new gadgets like a MacBook Pro for 2021.
It's expected to be a packed show, and we'll be running you through everything as it happens. While you wait, why not check out our feature below where we spoke to three app developers on what they'd like to see Apple introduce at WWDC 2021?
We'll be talking you through a variety of the updates we're expecting to see at WWDC 2021 throughout today. First off, we're going to talk about iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
iOS 15 and iPadOS 15
Possibly the biggest unveiling of WWDC 2021 will be iOS 15, the next iPhone update that’ll likely come to phones in September.
We haven’t heard too much about iOS from leaks and rumors, but since iOS 14 was quite a big upgrade, people are expecting iOS 15 to present fewer changes. We’ve heard the Control Center could get a little redesign though.
iPadOS 15 is a version of iOS 15 designed for iPads (as the name suggests), and new updates are generally the same as the iPhone counterpart except with a few tablet-specific tricks. Again, news is very light, but iPadOS 15 isn’t expected to change too much from iPadOS 14.
In the last 24 hours, a new leak has suggested Apple may be introducing a new mental health focused app at WWDC 2021. The rumors suggest it'll be called Mind, and the truth is we don't know a huge amount about.
We've broken down what we do know so far, but it sounds like it may be an improvement on the existing Breathe app that you'd find on your Apple Watch. Here's our analysis on what we think Mind could be.
Will we see new Mac hardware from Apple today? A host of leaks and rumors over the last few weeks have suggested so.
Jessica Weatherbed, Computing Writer for TechRadar, says "We're expecting Apple to announce two new models of MacBook pro - a 14-inch and 16-inch model - though rumors are in the air regarding updated design, potential release dates and even hardware.
"It's been suggested that these new additions might include some beefier internal silicon (an M1X or M2 if you will), which makes sense given most of the current Mac family now uses the M1 SoC.
"I'd be surprised if these new products are announced for imminent release given existing estimates that components for the new MacBook Pro units won't be ready until Q3, but Apple typically doesn't wait long to put it's new goodies on the shelves."
Could tvOS get its next upgrade today? Little is known about tvOS 15, but TechRadar's Home Cinema Editor, Henry St Leger, has some ideas about what you can expect.
He says, "New iterations of Apple tvOS smart platform are usually announced at WWDC, and we expect this year to be no different. tvOS 15 should be on show, with a host of improvements, tweaks, and new features for the OS behind the Apple TV app and Apple TV streaming device hardware. If Apple sticks to its usual timelines, that will be followed by a private beta that turns into a public release this September.
"With a new Apple TV 4K now on sale, we expect at least some changes to be around optimizing the Apple TV experience. Rumors are swirling around an app redesign to aid navigation, and we’re hoping to see Apple finally fix its awkward Apple TV Plus integration. We could see an in-app guide to live channels too, as well as a kids mode and more parental controls – which was rumored to come last year but has yet to appear in the operating system.
"Last year’s tvOS 14 update added Audio Sharing for connecting two sets of AirPods, 4K video transfer over AirPlay and 4K playback on YouTube, and greater control over HomeKit-connected smart devices."
Developers are the main focus of WWDC, and often this is a show that is mostly around preparing them ready for the new features so they can have their apps ready and up to date for software to land in future.
We spoke to three prolific app developers for Apple platforms on what they want to see from WWDC 2021. You can read what they want here.
While it's not on the official WWDC schedule, it would make sense for Apple to make a big deal about Spatial Audio today. It recently announced that Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio will be coming to Apple Music at no extra cost to subscribers, in a move that has shaken up hi-res streaming services like Tidal.
For those not familiar with Spatial Audio, it's a sound format designed for the AirPods Pro true wireless earbuds and AirPods Max over-ear headphones.
It takes 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos content and applies directional audio filters, placing sound in a 3D sphere, making it sound as though audio is coming at you from all angles – and it's availability on Apple Music without an accompanying price hike is sure to shake up the world of music streaming.
Maybe there won't be hardware at WWDC 2021 after all. Popular leaker @L0vetodream, who has a history of being correct on tech leaks, has responded to someone asking whether there will be new gadgets with the phrase "I feel no".
It's important to note that this is a translation of the post's original Chinese, but it may suggest we won't be seeing new technology today.
It may also be based on the leaker's own personal opinion rather than specific leaks. We don't know for certain, but it may be a sign that today's event will be purely about software.
我感觉没有 https://t.co/mXFajidpjmJune 7, 2021
While we may not see hardware today, there are leaks and rumors pouring in for the iPhone 13. Today, we've heard the iPhone 13 Pro is set to come in matte black and one source says it's the darkest shade we've seen on any recent iPhone.
Don't expect to hear anything about the iPhone 13 today, but we will likely hear about iOS 15 that will be running on that phone when it debuts later in 2021.
Tim is awake, and he's sharing some tweets to get us started today. Unlike in previous years, it's likely today's big WWDC 2021 keynote has been pre-filmed so it's unlikely Apple's CEO had to get up super early today.
Today’s the day! Who’s ready? #WWDC21 pic.twitter.com/oRlL8Z85X8June 7, 2021
The video doesn't give us a huge hint at what to expect today, but it's full of Memojis so we may hear more of them within iOS 15 and other platforms from Apple.
It's just a little over an hour until the WWDC 2021 event kick starts, so it's time to tell you how you can tune in yourself. You can either watch through Apple's own services, or you can find the clip on YouTube using the above embed.
Before everything starts, we're going to run you through what we currently expect to arrive at WWDC.
- iOS 15 - The next generation of iPhone software
- iPadOS 15 - Similar software, but designed for iPads
- macOS 12 - New software to run on Macs and MacBooks
- watchOS 8 - The next software to run on your Apple Watch
- tvOS 15 - New software for your Apple TV
- Some new gadgets - We may see a new MacBook Pro, but leaks in recent hours make that seem less likely than previously
- Other announcements - Apple may be introducing new Spatial Audio features and a new mindfulness app, plus we can expect other additions in other areas of Apple's business
Will your older iPhone get iOS 15 later this year? That's a big question that many will be asking today, and we've seen leaks this year that suggest the iPhone 7 series and later will be compatible with iOS 15.
Those who won an iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus or iPhone SE were able to download iOS 14, but leaks have suggested these handsets will be cut out from updates from 2021 onward.
We won't know this for certain until later today during Apple's launch, so tune in to see if Apple reveals compatible devices.
One last nugget of information before we get properly started... Apple has yet to take down its online store. Often, Apple will take down its store a few hours before a big event to revamp it with the new gadgets ready to go.
Apple online store remains online…June 7, 2021
Could this be a sign that there won't be new hardware at Apple's show today? It isn't a gurantee, but it does seem to be yet another piece of evidence that Apple won't be showing off a new MacBook Pro or any other physical gadgets alongside iOS 15 and co.
Right, Gareth Beavis on the live blog decks once more, get ready for some sweet cuts of iNsight into what we're going to be getting today.
Given we're mere moments (well, a few hundred of them) away from the start of WWDC 2021, it feels a bit, well, underwhelming at this point.
I'm fairly convinced that we won't see much in the way of new hardware, but that doesn't mean it's only going to be software on show today. Not sure what else, but it has to be more than that, surely?
Oh, the live stream is live! It's not longer just a theoretical stream! And we're seeing loads of 'energetic' messages from fans as little MeMojis, saying things like 'I need Xcode in my life RN!' and 'Here we go!'
Consider me pumped up.
Fun fact: if you type in 'pew pew' into iMessage, it'll do a laser show to whoever you send it to. You're welcome.
And we're off, with the traditional WWDC jokes about how they 'set up' WWDC. We just had an idea for Tim Cook to get into a Delorean with a new iPhone, or a cartoon, or 'Our Journey Into Tomorrow' for the new film.
Wait, this one is actually happening - a fake Craig Federighi just appeared and he got to do a joke as he was being puffed out of existence.
Wait, now we're into a musical about fixing a bug, your yearly reminder that WWDC is absolutely designed for Apple fans and not the hardcore product lovers - there's a lot of silliness here and Tim Cook is walking out onto a stage with loads of little Memoji in the crowd.
He's just said 'it's great to see so many of you here' - pretending he can see them. Oh, Tim.
It's weird not being there for these events. It was 'surreal' last year, but in 2021 it's just tiring doing these events over the virtual waves. Here's hoping it's back to 'normal' next year.
Anyway, onto WWDC 2021 - Cook is promising to keep helping people learn about new ways to make apps, but forget that - it's Craig Federighi and iOS 15!
(Well, I assume iOS 15. If they name it something else...)
Oh, no, it's iOS 15. No change there. Federighi just confirmed it.
What's it going to be focused on today? Well, we're starting with 'Staying Connected', talking about video calling. Specifically, FaceTime.
Talking up the privacy and end-to-end encryption since it first came out - Apple going ever harder on the security side. Get ready for more of that today.
Facetime will now have spatial audio, so it can make it sound like that person is exactly where they are on the screen when you're talking to make it more natural.
The amount of voice captured will be improved, to enhance the sound - and Portrait Mode is coming too (basically background blurring for the iPhone).
Wait, you can send a FaceTime link too now? This is just Apple trying to make FaceTime a real competitor too - especially as ANDROID CAN USE IT TOO! That's pretty massive.
SharePlay is coming too - you can bring music into your call, watch movies or other screen shares with friends, allowing you to do all of this through FaceTime.
This reminds me of AllShare Play from Samsung and the Galaxy S4 phones - but this is the same thing many, many times larger.
If you're watching a movie together, it'll be perfectly in sync, and messages can be used to keep the party going. And you can extend it to Apple TV too.
This makes a lot of sense from Apple - bringing together a lot of places as well. SharePlay will work with third party apps too - not just Apple Music and Apple TV. Hulu, Disney Plus, Twitch, TikTok, NBA app and more are all getting SharePlay.