Apple presents iOS 16, new MacBooks and more: all the news from its WWDC 2022 event

(CNN) — Like every year, Apple opened its 2022 World Developers Conference (WWDC) in which it presented its latest mobile software, iOS 16 and other news. With the new version of iOS, its users will be able to change the personalization experience of their iPhone phones, as well as the way they send text messages and deepen the integration of their smartphones with cars.

These and other updates, released Monday, show how Apple continues to push to ensure that its devices, particularly the iPhone, remain central to our daily lives and the many products we interact with. But while these updates are likely to attract many Apple device users, the event was also highlighted by what was not announced: a new product.

In recent days, some industry observers have been hopeful that Apple might offer an early look at a platform believed to be called RealityOS. The system, according to rumors, could power a mixed reality headset, a wearable device said to be capable of producing both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), which Apple has been rumored to have been working on for years.

Instead, the focus was on a series of functional product updates: more multitasking in Mac software, the introduction of Apple’s Weather app on the iPad, and the introduction of the company’s next-generation M2 chip.

“While some may be disappointed by the lack of radical new hardware in areas like AR, Apple’s investment in silicon will play a decisive role in future product categories, such as a headset, where power and performance must be balanced. finely,” said Ben Wood, chief analyst at market research firm CCS Insight.

Here’s a closer look at some of the updates coming to Apple’s biggest products. The updates are expected to be available to users in the fall.

Apple revamped iMessage, lock screen and notifications

Apple is breathing new life into some iOS tools that haven’t been updated in years.

Perhaps the most talked about changes are coming to iMessage, including the ability to edit or unsend messages and mark messages as unread. The company said that these options are among the most requested features by users.

Apple has also tested several new options to better customize the lock screen and improve the notification experience. iPhone users will be able to add widgets to the lock screen to get information at a glance, such as upcoming calendar events and weather, and track “live” activities, including the progress of an Uber ride. or updates to a sports game. And the software will offer more personalized wallpapers for the lock screen and the ability to shuffle the options throughout the day.

Expanded CarPlay Options

Apple’s updates extended to its broader ecosystem of products and services, from payments and passwords to cars.

The newest version of CarPlay will be packed with custom widgets controlled by the iPhone and capable of running on every screen in a car, from the center display to the instrument cluster behind the wheel. As with the other Apple updates announced this Monday, there will also be more widget support and more customization options, including various gauge group layouts.

New payment and health features

Apple said iOS users in the United States will be able to spread out payments for 8 weeks in Apple Pay, similar to a “buy now, pay later” service, taking advantage of a growing payment method for consumers.

The company also continues betting on health services. The Apple Watch will soon support new personalized training features, including heart rate zones and data about a runner’s stride. Additionally, enhanced sleep tracking will monitor when a user enters and exits light and deep sleep. A new medication app will allow users to track, manage and understand the medications people take and will notify users when to take them.

Apple also introduced a tool called Passkeys, which aims to replace passwords by using Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate across apps and devices.

New MacBooks and the M2 chip

Although the event focused on software, Apple did make some hardware announcements.

Apple introduced a thinner, lighter and faster MacBook Air designed around its new internal M2 processor. The 13.6-inch MacBook Air is 25% brighter than before, supports MagSafe charging, and features an improved front-facing camera with twice the resolution of the previous model. With an 8-core CPU, Apple said the M2 chip promises 18% more performance than its M1 chip.

The processor also comes with a 10-core GPU, double that of the M1, along with 25% better graphics performance. The M2 will also come to a new 13-inch MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Air starts at $1,099 and the MacBook Pro at $1,299.

Apple also unveiled its latest software for the Mac, called OS Ventura, which offers a handful of multitasking features, like the ability to share Safari tabs with friends and family, transfer FaceTime calls to other devices, and use an iPhone as a webcam with a new product called Continuity Camera.