The highlights of the Apple Keynote at a glance

The control center has been redesigned and now has a separate page for music settings and connections. Apps can be locked using Face ID and the settings have been made a little clearer.

The Photos app has been completely redesigned and now offers overviews for individual days or shows photos that are well suited as background images. A separate “gaming mode” focuses the iPhone on games. iMessage has the promised support for RCS.

A new “Passwords” app collects your saved login data, passkeys and WiFi codes. With iOS 18, calls can now be recorded – the person you are talking to will be notified.

Apple Intelligence: Apple’s idea of ​​AI

“Apple Intelligence”, Apple's interpretation of artificial intelligence, is scheduled to launch as a beta version in fall 2024. But initially only for the iPhone 15 Pro/Max and presumably the expected new iPhone 16 models. The AI ​​platform can generate both text and images, but also carry out actions.

Apple emphasized that all of these features are more secure and private than those of other manufacturers because they are processed either directly on the device or in a secure cloud.

Apple Intelligence is designed to generate text on the device. (Image: Apple)

Specifically, you can have notifications summarized or search for files across all apps. Apple Intelligence also recognizes content on the screen and can provide assistance using this context. This should also make Siri significantly better.

In the future, a form could be filled out much faster if Siri copies the ID number directly from an image via a search. Apple also announced a cooperation with OpenAI to enable ChatGPT to be used optionally in Siri.

The company also wants to offer Google Gemini and other models. At the moment, however, there is no agreement with Google. Apple emphasized that no data will be stored and IP addresses will be made anonymous. You don't need an account either, but if you have a subscription, you can link it. The functions will also appear on macOS 15 and iPadOS 18. The minimum required is an M1 processor.

ChatGPT is built into Apple's operating systems (Image: Apple)

iPadOS 18: The calculator is here

For many, the biggest innovation in iPadOS 18 could be a calculator app, which has been missing since the iPad was introduced. In addition to normal calculations, the app can also recognize and solve mathematical equations written with the Apple Pencil.

In addition, contacts can help with using the iPad via “remote maintenance”. The person cannot access the iPad directly, but can only draw what should be clicked. iPadOS gets some iOS 18 features such as the new Photos app, the new home screen and the dark app icons.

With iPadOS 18, the long-awaited calculator comes to the iPad. (Image: Apple)

macOS 15: Using iPhone on Mac

The latest operating system for the Mac is called Sequoia and, in addition to Apple Intelligence, it also offers a number of additional features. The most important of these is the ability to use the iPhone on the Mac without physically having it with you.

This means that apps can be used with sound and notifications are also displayed. The device itself remains switched off, so it does not “operate” as if by magic. Photos can also be copied to or back from the iPhone using drag and drop.

The passwords app is also coming to macOS. Safari is getting its own AI features like “Highlights”. The Apple browser will be able to scan websites and offer a summary of the content.

Use your iPhone on your Mac? This is possible in macOS Sequoia. (Image: Apple)

watchOS 11: Smart widgets, new app

After Apple gave its Apple Watch software a major update last year, there was less talk of watchOS at WWDC 2024. A new “Vitals” app displays “important health metrics and trends.” Widgets are now “intelligently” sorted in the overview.

If there is a change in the weather, for example, this widget should be displayed first – or the current score for a football match. The photo watch faces have also been improved. The Apple Watch now has a widget for translations.

With the “Smart Stacks” widgets are intelligently sorted in WatchOS 11. (Image: Apple)

tvOS 18: InSight and intelligent subtitles

With tvOS 18, there is a new feature that allows Apple TV Plus to display information about actors and music during a scene. Apple calls this InSight. Users of Amazon Prime Video will already be familiar with this as “X-Ray”.

Subtitles should now be displayed intelligently – for example after rewinding or if the language does not match that of the AppleTV. With tvOS 18, films can also be played in 21:9.

With “InSight” music and cast of a scene are displayed. (Image: Apple)

WWDC 2024: The Apple Vision Pro is coming to Germany

Apple announced VisionOS 2 at WWDC 2024, which will be able to convert 2D photos from the library into 3D photos. With new gestures, the system will be easier to use, including the virtual Mac display, which can now be displayed in 4K. Apple also announced that many well-known manufacturers are working on apps and “virtual experiences” for the mixed reality headset.

The Apple Vision Pro is coming to Germany, for just under 4000 euros (Image: Apple)

The headset will be released in seven other regions – including Germany. Pre-orders can be made from June 28, 2024. The Vision Pro will be delivered from July 12, 2024. Apple is asking a price of 3,999 euros for the 256 gigabyte model. The company is asking 4,249 euros for the 512 gigabyte version. The terabyte version costs 4,499 euros.

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