Even though the entire iMore staff (myself included) is well versed in all the rumors and leaks that lead up to an Apple event, we never know what will happen when Tim Cook and the company hit the main stage — no one does. But, that doesn't prevent us from getting caught up in the hype and the potential of the new stuff coming down the pipeline.
I had big expectations for WWDC 2022, and this may be the first time ever I've gone into an Apple event and haven't come out the other side disappointed in some way. Every new software platform they talked about during the keynote was full of juicy details and demonstrations of new features. Here's what stood out to me at WWDC 2022.
iOS 16: More customization, editable messages, and the best Photoshop hack
For everyone who screams for more customization on iOS, it seems that Apple has designed iOS 16 to provide some more options for people. One of the highlight changes was the updates to the Lock Screen.
The Lock Screen now has widgets! In practice, you can certainly see that they take inspiration from Apple Watch complications, but in essence, they are designed to make your Lock Screen much more information-rich while still preserving the clean and uncluttered look. Of course, Apple showed off its own apps that will be able to display on your Lock Screen, but I'm way more excited to see which of my favorite app developers will implement this new feature into their third-party apps — much like when widgets first launched in iOS 14.
This might actually be the feature I'm most excited for out of everything; editing messages in the Messages app. Sent a typo? You can fix it! Send a message to the wrong contact by accident? You can just take back the message shortly after you send it. Gosh, I've wanted this for so long, I can barely contain myself!
While we will have to test it out for ourselves as time goes on, it appears that if you choose to edit a message, there will be a little indicator that the message has been edited. Same with when you choose to "undo send," you and the people in the chat will be able to see that you've unsent a message.
Lastly, a really neat feature that I feel like Apple nearly skipped over was the improvement to Visual Look Up, which will allow you to instantly grab a subject from a photo and rip it out of the background as an image that you can use in messages. It's like Apple just took how of the best tools in Photoshop and stuck it right into iOS 16! Just think about all the meme possibilities!
iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura: Stage Manager will improve multitasking
By far, the coolest feature of iPadOS 16 is Stage Manager, and it looks to be a good solution for all the people (myself included) clamoring for more multitasking features in the iPad — especially those with M1 chips.
Stage Manager automatically organizes open apps and windows so users can concentrate on their work and still see everything in a single glance. The current window users are working in is displayed prominently in the center, and other open windows appear on the left-hand side so they can quickly and easily switch between tasks. Plus, you can also group windows when working on specific tasks or projects that require different apps.
That sounds incredible, and seeing it in practice during the keynote also made it look incredible. Plus, Stage Manager is also coming to macOS, which certainly seems to show that the iPad is moving towards more of a laptop-like feel.
Stage Manager is my favorite announcement for iPadOs and macOS Ventura!
Much more detailed metrics on watchOS 9
While I don't think of the Apple Watch as a fitness first product, a ton of people, maybe even a majority of Apple Watch owners, do, and watchOS 9 is coming in hot with much more detailed metrics.
If you're a triathlete, you'll likely love the new Multisport workout type that can track swimming, running, and biking all in the same workout! Plus, you don't even have to do anything. Your Apple Watch will automatically detect when you're during which activity and track all of it accordingly!
On top of that, if you enjoy running with your Apple Watch, it's about to get much better to gauge your running performance with all the new enhancements in watchOS 9. New metrics you can track new metrics include Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation. These are advanced running metrics that can really make a difference if you're seriously training for a big race or marathon. Plus, you'll even have the ability to race against yourself, choosing either your best or last result, meaning if you're training for a certain time, you can easily see if you're on pace, exceeding pace, or lagging behind.
There was so much more, too
Those are just a fraction of the announcements we got at this year's WWDC — there truly was something for everyone.
Whether it's being able to use your iPhone as your MacBook's webcam, the new Medications app for the Apple Watch, or the dozens and dozens of new features and quirks we will unearth in the first weeks of the beta program, I can't believe we have so much to discover!
