This year’s Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) saw the company going back to its roots as one of the most innovative software companies in the business.
The event was a frills-free, hardware-free ode to the developer community. It celebrated the coming of age of iOS as well as the ascension of OS X as one of the best designed and most interoperable desktop operating systems on the market today.
More notably, OS X 10.10, codenamed Yosemite, isn’t just an evolution of OS X but the most interoperable “pure” desktop operating system at the moment. Unlike rival Microsoft’s Windows 8.1, which straddles the line between being a touch-based tablet OS and part-time desktop OS, Yosemite is designed to be used with mice and trackpads. But with the new Continuity features, it can shift many functions seamlessly to a mobile device.
Yosemite and iOS 8 are now better interconnected and Apple is tightening the integration between its mobile and desktop ecosystems. There is also a huge re-tuning of the iCloud component that powers many of the new features.
Here is a look at some of the game changing revelations from WWDC:
Handoff
One of the standout features for me is Handoff. The feature shows how your Mac is aware of what you’re working on in your iPad and vice versa. It makes it easy to continue a project, say a Pages document or Keynote presentation, on whichever device makes sense at the time.
I recall webOS had a touch-to-share feature that was similar to Handoff. But in true Apple fashion, they’ve omitted the need to touch anything as it happens automatically in the cloud.
AirDrop across iOS and Mac OS
Tap-to-share functionality has been around in the Android world for some time. Now, Apple released AirDrop between desktops and notebooks as well as AirDrop between iOS devices as a smart and hassle-free way to share files with nearby iOS users (without any need to tap). For the first time, iOS and Mac devices can now send and receive files wirelessly and seamlessly.
Offices and schools that require peer-to-peer connectivity are now given another reason to invest in the entire Apple ecosystem.
Feature-sharing between desktop and mobile
Macs and iPhones are going to be more interconnected to the extent that they can now seamlessly share features.
When your iPhone receives a call, you can opt to pick it up on your Mac. Similarly, iMessages and even text messages can be routed to your Mac, a great feature for people who hate bouncing between mobile and desktop.
If you see a website with a phone number, you can simply press the link and the Mac you are using will call using your iPhone’s cellular feature and route the call to your desktop or notebook.
Mobile workers also get another bonus as their MacBooks will sense their nearby iPhone and if there’s no available Wi-Fi, they can initiate a mobile hotspot without the user needing to set it up.
Health and HealthKit
Being a developer’s conference, WWDC was the opportune time for Apple to drop some new developer tools. The most notable was Health and HealthKit. This announcement was huge since it incorporates data from various health tracking gadgets into one stream.
More importantly, this data can be monitored and shared with doctors or health care providers, which can alert them to alarming changes in a patient’s condition.
While the tools have been revealed, it is intriguing that Apple didn’t have specifics as to what sort of device or wearable can be used to track all the vitals. Either way, HealthKit is a definite step towards making iOS a more useful tool for users who need to monitor their health.
HomeKit and CloudKit
Apple also made a move towards home automation with their HomeKit announcement. Many believe this is the first step towards the Internet of Things and remote controlling of a home’s security, thermostat, energy efficiency, and even lighting all with the use of an iPhone and at times with Siri.
CloudKit is huge since it enables apps to run more efficiently and takes care of integrating the mobile and desktop aspects of communications, messaging, and computing more efficiently. The cloud makes it possible to transfer and backup all the important information that users care about. It also helps developers make smarter apps in the future.
CarPlay
I got the chance to try CarPlay on a US$300,000 Ferrari FF during WWDC and was impressed at how seamless this worked—involving everything from transferring the mapping, messaging, iPod, and even third party apps.
CarPlay is Apple’s bid for car infotainment market and a natural way to extend the iOS ecosystem. Many manufacturers, like Ferrari, have signed up to offer CarPlay integration in upcoming models, while aftermarket users will be served by the likes of Pioneer who are creating CarPlay head units for older vehicles.
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Apple’s future isn’t depending on one device or category but, as evidenced by this year’s WWDC, the unification of existing ecosystems and products to further enhance the user experience. App developers can now look beyond the desktop and the mobile markets into home, health, as well as car infotainment and know that Apple—and it’s hundreds of billions—has their back.
