Intros new OSes for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac
TORONTO and CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple’s WWDC20 virtual developers conference today was chock-full of announcements and previews, from the release of a trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ original series Foundation to a preview of the new iOS 14 mobile operating system as well as iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7.
Scheduled for release in 2021 on Apple TV+, Foundation is based on Isaac Asimov’s science fiction novel series of the same name. The series is executive produced by Robyn Asimov, David S. Goyer, Josh Friedman, Cameron Welsh, David Ellision, Dana Goldberg and Marcy Ross. The cast includes Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann and Cassian Bilton.
Apple also announced it is partnering with production company A24 on a new con artist movie starring and produced by Julianne Moore, which will premiere exclusively on Apple TV+. Sharper will be based on a spec screenplay written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, who have been contracted to write the script for the film. The movie’s production schedule and anticipated release date were not announced.
Apple’s new iOS 14 features new ways to customize the Home Screen, discover and use apps with App Clips and stay connected in Messages. The developer preview is available now to Apple Developer Program members, and a public beta will be available to iOS users next month. New software features will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later.
The new iPadOS 14 provides streamlined system interactions with new compact user interfaces for incoming FaceTime and phone calls, Siri interactions and Search. The new system also features redesigned sidebars across many apps, including Photos, Files, Notes, Calendar and Apple Music, and streamlined toolbars and new pull-down menus providing access to app controls all in one place. New software features will be available this fall as a free software update for iPad Air 2 and later, all iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.
The new operating system for Apple’s smartwatch, watchOS 7, introduces a number of new features, including watch face sharing, sleep tracking and a slightly creepy, automatic handwashing detection feature. As with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the developer beta of watchOS 7 is available now to Apple Developer Program members and a public beta will be available next month. The free software update for watchOS 7 will be available in the fall for Apple Watch Series 3 to Series 5 paired with iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later.
In other news for its Apple developer community, Apple announced it will transition the Mac computer system to Apple’s custom silicon. Apple says it plans to ship the first Mac with Apple silicon chips by the end of the year and complete the transition in about two years. Apple released the Universal App Quick Start Program to help app developers get started with the new chip platform. Mac computers currently use Intel microprocessors.
Apple also introduced macOS Big Sur, the next major release of macOS, which includes technologies that will ensure a seamless transition to Apple silicon, says the news release.
For all of Apple’s announcements from its virtual WWDC20 developer conference, please visit the Apple newsroom.
