In June we covered Apple’s announcements at their World Wide Developers Conference. Apple revealed their plans for their fall updates to iOS, macOS (replacing the name OS X), watchOS, and tvOS.
The next operating system (OS) to run on the Mac, succeeding OS X El Capitan, will be called macOS Sierra. For the first time Siri will be coming to the Mac, with some features unique to Mac. You’ll be able to ask Siri to locate files on your Mac. Siri will be able to assist you while you are working on other tasks on your Mac.
The Photos app will be updated on both the Mac and iOS to organize your photos into Memories, that is groups of photos taken at the same time and location. Another feature that will go across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, is Universal Clipboard. You’ll be able to copy from one device and paste to another.
Apple Pay will be coming to Safari on the Mac, using Touch ID on your iPhone, or using your Apple Watch. This will keep transactions secure as your credit card information won’t need to be transferred over the network.
Your iCloud drive will be able to include your Mac Desktop and Documents folder, and make them accessible from your other Apple devices.
The next OS version for your iPhone and iPad will be iOS 10. It seems the biggest enhancement will be in the Messages app, also available on the Mac. Messages can of course do ordinary text messages, but if you’re communicating with another Apple device, you’ll be able to jazz up your messages. You can choose the message bubble size to make them bigger for added emphasis or smaller to say things more quietly. You can add stickers, and Messages will scan the words in your message to offer to replace them with emojis. Developers will be able to offer iMessage apps to further enhance your messaging.
Siri will be made more powerful by opening it up to apps, so you can control them using Siri. Maps will also be opened up to hooks with apps, so for instance you’ll be able to make reservations in a nearby restaurant using the OpenTable app. Widgets which were previously available on the notification screen, will now be available using 3D touch on app icons.
You’ll be able to wake up your iPhone by just picking it up. Then you’ll be able to interact with notifications more directly from the lock screen. Like on the Mac, Apple Pay will be available on supporting websites from the Safari browser.
No one in the group had an Apple Watch, but if you do you’ll enjoy much faster opening of watch apps in the new watchOS 3.
tvOS will get some minor updates including a new dark mode, and a single sign-on for apps tied to cable channels. That way you will only need log in just once to verify your cable subscription and unlock full recent episodes to view from your 4th generation Apple TV.