Apple #WWDC21: Apple rolls out iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS Monterey

Apple has unveiled the new iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8 at its 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event which held virtually today.

The Apple WWDC event is usually used to showcase new software and technologies in the macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS families as well as other Apple software.

In case you missed the event, here’s a list of everything Apple announced.

iOS 15

Apple’s latest operating system goes up a notch from iOS 14.5 and notably adds several FaceTime updates. These include spatial audio for better sound reception, voice isolation to block out ambient noise and a wide spectrum to pick up everything around you.

Interestingly, Apple has enabled FaceTime for web via custom links. FaceTime is no longer exclusive to iOS users. Android and Windows users can now join FaceTime via sharable links.

Apple introduced FaceTime grid and portrait mode as part of its new videoconferencing features.

The company also debuted the new Focus mode, notifications summary and live text for users to easily capture text from pictures. Users can also set up a focus for certain things, like personal, sleep and work.

Another update to Apple’s machine learning algorithm means Siri will now be able to respond to users’ requests even without internet access.

macOS Monterey

Apple announced macOS Monterey, which brings features including Universal Control and AirPlay improvements to Safari and SharePlay.

Universal Control will let users control their iPads and Macs with just one keyboard and trackpad. The next major release of macOS is macOS Monterey.

iPadOS 15

Apart from unveiling the iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, Apple showcased its new iPadOS.

New features for iPadOS include home screen widgets, an app library, a new multitasking menu, system-wide text translation option and swift playgrounds for app development.

watchOS 8

Apple watchOS 8 adds a new Mindfulness app, redesigned Photos app, and improvements to the Health app. 

All new features will be available in beta by July and fully released around October.