Finally, the biggest event on the Apple calendar is imminent. (Some people will argue that the biggest event is the Fall iPhone event. Those people are wrong!) Apple executives are coming to the stage soon নে in a live or pre-taped fashion, we don’t know yet এবং and will have to wrap up the latest update to the company’s flagship software platform. Off. Most likely, if we consider ourselves lucky, even some new hardware.
As we prepare ourselves for the keynote address at the annual Global Developers Conference, there is still plenty of time to get some predictions (and, let’s be clear, some good wishes) under the hood.
Of course, predicting certain features, well, that’s just an invitation Responsibility, So instead, I’m going to talk a little more generally. I’ve organized my thoughts for each platform around a theme, so here’s what I want to see from each of Apple’s big releases.
iOS: Your phone, your way
A few years ago, Apple finally let iPhone users put widgets on their home screen and all the hell broke. People were tweaking their phone setups left and right, using widgets for all sorts of purposes that Apple certainly didn’t really intend. So, if anything, iOS 16 should be the theme Customization.
Looks like Apple can let users do a lot with the iPhone’s lock screen.
Foundry
Now that Apple has some time to digest and evaluate the response to widgets, I hope they will learn a lesson from this and introduce some more customization features on iOS. In the early days of smartphones, it was understandable to keep the user interface universal: after all, these were brand new devices that people had to get used to. But it’s been 15 years since the iPhone and we’re comfortable – we’re getting bored. There is obviously a thirst for personalization and it would be wise for Apple to take advantage of this.
It can take many forms with more customizable lock screens with widget functionality (because, of course, notifications on the lock screen are simple, but it always seems like apps determine what we want to see there instead of users choosing) or changing the look and feel of the system. Themes that can be applied to. Apple’s idea of easing its “we know best” sternness will be hailed by some, but it won’t be the first time the company has abandoned its traditional playbook.
iPadOS: Power to humans
Is there an Apple device more promising than the iPad? The hardware is miles away from what competitors offer, but it constantly feels like you’re trying to drive a sports car on a go-kart track. The time has come to unveil the true brown of the iPad, and recent rumors suggest that it could really be years. Yes, the theme of the iPadOS 16 Power.
The iPadOS 15 has done an admirable job of whipping the multitasking system into shape, making it more accessible and capable. But it is still far from what is available on the Mac. Are you telling me that a device with the same RAM and processor as the MacBook Air can run two and a half apps at a time? Popcorn.
The iPad is a powerful computer. It’s time for iPadOS to release that power.
Apples
Late-breaking reports suggest that a new Windows system is working, which is promising because not only will the iPad Pro be able to run a lot of apps, but Apple has now created a pretty impressive display that can run the tablet, only limited to that. To mirror the iPad or run a single app at a time. That, to be honest, is banana.
macOS: Think differently
The old steady macOS has experienced a bit of a renaissance due to the combined effect of Apple Silicon Transition and the combined effect of reversing some previous missteps (butterfly keyboard, we’re looking at you). As Mac approaches his 40th birthday, it’s time to learn some new techniques for this old dog. So the theme of the next version of macOS Innovation.
In recent years, macOS has at least been on par with features with new iOS releases. But there’s no reason to keep the Mac afloat: it could use some revolutions.
This can range from redesigning the aesthetics to redesigning some of the apps included, to completely redesigning the user interface. (These stoplight widgets were great the day before — but how effective are they now? Do people often shorten the dock?) Specifically, I’d like to see a greater focus on improving shortcuts to allow users to come up with their own way of tweaking the system and possibly the Finder. See, which is starting to feel his age.
Apples
watchOS: Keep up with the times
The Apple Watch got a short shift at last year’s WWDC, so this year should be the theme Modernization. Like the iPad, the Apple Watch is a great piece of hardware, but the software sometimes holds it back. There are many great watch faces, but only a few are really designed for the latest watch screens. The side button seems to be working for more than just switching between apps. And of course there are better ways to organize the apps we’ve installed (or, if you’re like me, because they’re not so messy).
tvOS: Check it out!
The Apple Watch wasn’t the only platform that didn’t change much last year: Apple TV was largely the same. And it is not Bad Really, but when our streaming future comes together, Apple TV is starting to feel like it missed out on a promise to bring what we see in one place, so my theme for TVS16 Collaboration.
The TV app was a good start, but it has become a confusing ground for trying to highlight Apple’s own content as well as try to accommodate other players. And yes, I’m talking about the elephant at home here: Netflix. It’s time to make a deal with Apple’s Streamer Behemoth and find ways to get other holdouts integrated into the one-stop-shop that Apple TV should be. A unified interface is as good as its missing links and Netflix is a big one.
It may take some pride, but again, today’s Apple is hardly the apple of the past. As the old saying goes, the best time to change is yesterday – the second best time is today.