Apple kicks off WWDC with new Macbooks and iOS 17

Apple is making a small but mighty change to Siri in the new iOS 17 – users can drop the “Hey” and just say “Siri” to activate the virtual assistant.

The change was a much-requested feature from iOS fans, and it seems Apple has finally listened to their demand.

The operating system will also see new apps targeting your physical and mental health, along with personalized posters of a user showing their photo or emoji to a call recipient.

A live voicemail feature also transcribes messages directly on the display, allowing you to ignore or answer the call.

Apple said WWDC, which kicked off today at Apple Park Californiawill be an “exciting week of technology.”

This annual event has been held by Apple since 1983, although it was not originally intended for hardware announcements.

Only in the past 20 years has Apple used the conference as a major launch pad for new devices, including the HomePod speaker in 2007 and the iPhone 4 in 2010.

Arguably the most important event on the calendar for Apple fans is the one to be held in the first two weeks of September when it announces his new iPhone – although WWDC could be bigger this year.

This year, however, the company is expected to announce a new piece of hardware that could soon “replace the iPhone,” according to an expert.

iOS 17

Apple typically launches a new operating system during WWDC – and this year is no different.

As rumors had already speculated, the operating system will launch a new Journal app, which will allow people to jot down everyday thoughts, feelings and aspirations – and Apple wants you to be able to carry it in the palm of your hand.

The new app inspires users and helps them with ideas of what to write about based on their daily activities.

Users can upload photos and activities and schedule reminders to jot down thoughts.

The software analyzes user behavior to determine a typical day, including how much time was spent at home compared to elsewhere and whether a particular day was unusual.

iOS 17 also includes keyboard updates – and one that improves autocorrect.

Many users have complained that their words don’t auto-correct correctly, but the new system adds a new language model with a more accessible shortcut to go back to the original word if the system gets it wrong.

And now dictation also uses a new AI-powered model.

Users can create their own posters that appear on someone else’s screen when they call.

These can be your best selfie or unique emoji – anything that represents who you are.

iPhone users have long enjoyed the Health app, which allows users to manage, understand, and track their medications, invite loved ones to Health Sharing, and see your sleep stages.

Now iPadiOS 17 brings the service to Apple’s tablet.

The new app allows users to view their health data, such as the results of an electrocardiogram, on a larger screen.

New MacBooks

Apple began showing off its highly anticipated World Wide Developers Conference “the best 15-inch laptop in the world.”

The new The 15-inch MacBook Air is powered by an Apple-designed M2 processor chip, which offers 18 hours of battery life and is 12 times faster than Intel-based MacBooks.

The laptop has six speakers for immersive spatial audio and starts at $1,299 – and will be available to consumers next week.

A new version of the Mac Pro took center stage, Apple’s highest-performing desktop, with an M2 Ultra chip and a price tag starting at $6,999.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 gets a new starting price of €1,099 – €100 less than before.

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, said, “We are excited to introduce the first 15-inch MacBook Air. With its incredible performance and eye-catching design, the new MacBook Air is the world’s best 15-inch laptop. And that is only possible with Apple silicon.

“From its massive Liquid Retina display and remarkably thin fanless design, to its exceptional battery life and immersive six-speaker sound system, the new MacBook Air has it all.”

The new 15-inch MacBook Air offers up to 500 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors, along with twice the resolution and 25 percent brighter than a comparable PC laptop.

The MacBook Air is just 11.5mm thin, making it “the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world,” and weighs just 3.3 pounds.

The 2022 model weighs 2.7 pounds, but the screen is also two inches smaller.

Apple also unveiled an updated Mac Studio desktop machine on Monday, which features the all-new M2 Ultra chip that can handle artificial intelligence that competing chips don’t have enough memory for.

The M2 Ultra chip is essentially two of Apple’s largest M2 chips bonded together, a similar approach Apple has taken to improve the performance of its M1 chips.

Until Monday, the Mac Pro was the last computer in Apple’s lineup to still use an Intel chip.

“There’s never been a better time for PC users to switch to a Mac,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering.

Apple’s Mac lineup has enjoyed a resurgence since it started using its own chips in 2020, but sales have declined in recent quarters along with the broader PC market.

Apple said it was improving the autocorrect feature on iPhone keyboards.

“For those times when you just want to type an evasive word, the keyboard learns it too,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s chief software officer.