In late spring developers from around the world gathered to attend the two major developer conferences – Google I/O and Apple’s WWDC. These conferences typically serve as platforms for major announcements and glimpses into the near future, this year was no exception.
Google I/O
Google I/O held in early May incorporated many announcements, these included four new mobile devices (Google Pixel 6A, Pixel 7, Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet), Android 13, and excitingly, the return of Google glass.
Android 13
The latest iteration of the Android operating system, Android 13 will include a host of improvements and refinements. Most noteworthy improvements have been made to the user interface through Google’s “Material You” theme.
Google will also be relaunching Google Wallet. This is expected to go beyond just Google Pay and will now support a variety of digital ID – much like the features currently offered by Apple Wallet.
Android 13 could be considered more of a refinement of Android 12 than a significate jump forward. Android 13 is available as a public beta for those who wish to explore it, and is expected to be released later in the year.
Google Pixels
Google will be launching 3 new mobile phones. The Pixel 6A, a mid-range phone expected to be available at the end of July this year. Unlike previous models where the cost of the device was reduced by using a less powerful processor, the 6A will feature the same Pixel 6 Tensor chip and design but will only have a 12-megapixel camera compared to the 50 megapixel camera in the standard Pixel 6.
Google also provided a glimpse into their new flagship phones, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. These new devices will include a newer version of Google’s Tensor chip and improved cameras. However, the full specifications of the new devices will only be known when they become available in the autumn.
Pixel Watch
Similar to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro not much detail was revealed other than Google will be releasing its own smart watch, the Pixel Watch. Google acquired Fitbit a little over two years ago for their health and wellness tracking technology. The Pixel Watch will be fully integrated with Fitbit system and run on Google’s Tensor chip. It is expected to include emergency SOS features as well as work with the Google Wallet, Google Maps, and Google Smart Home apps. The Pixel Watch is expected to be released in the autumn.
Pixel Tablet
While Google was very sketchy with the details of the new Pixel Tablet, they did confirm that it will run on Tensor, like Google’s other devices and will be released next year.
The return of Google Glass
Perhaps the most exciting announcement was Google’s next generation augmentative reality (AR) glass. Gone is the futuristic look of the first generation of Google Glass – appearing more like regular glasses. Despite Google not really providing any details, they are clearly keen to join the likes of Meta (i.e. Facebook/Instagram) Snap and Magic Leap in the augmentative reality space. In Google’s demonstration they showed Google’s glasses being used to project real-time translation of what someone was saying, this included being able to translate American sign language into text.
WWDC 2022
During the WWDC keynote Apple announced the new MacBook Air, and excitingly the next generation of Apple Silicon – the M2 Chip, a major advance on the M1 processor. In keeping with tradition Apple announced a plethora of new software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Here are just a few highlights of what will be coming to a supported device later in the year.
iOS16
As with every release of iOS there are a raft of improvements, refinements, and new features, many not even making the news headlines. Below and some of the changes coming in iOS 16.
All-New Lock Screen
The new lock screen is now highly customizable with different styles, colour filters, and fonts. New widgets can now also be added to display information such as calendars, weather and even live updates from various sporting events. You can now also use photo shuffle to display different photos on the lock screen throughout the day.
Dictation
Major updates to dictation will now allow you to swap seamlessly between voice dictation and the touchscreen keyboard. Along with the improvements to Dictation itself it will automatically add updates to the text and can even include emoji dictation.
Live Text
Live Text, which enables text to be extract from either the camera or images has now been extended to video too. Now you can pause on any frame and interact or grab text from the video.
This technology has also been expanded to allow you to now extract images from a background and paste them into other apps.
Safety Check Privacy Settings
Apple in recent years has put a lot of effort into improving your privacy when using their devices and announced Safety Check. This new privacy setting to review allows you to quickly revoke access, sign out of iCloud on all devices and limit Messages to a single device. This feature is aimed at supporting people who find themselves in an abusive relationship.
Security updates
Starting with iOS16 security updates will be able to be automatically installed as they become available and will no longer require a full new version of iOS. This will allow you to ensure that your devices are kept as secure as possible without you needing to think about it.
This new feature will be enabled by default. However, should you wish to turn it off. (not recommended) you can do so by with Settings app under “General > Software Update > automatic security updates”.
Medication tracking
While only available in the US for now, this new feature will enable reminders to be set and log when medication was taken. It will also notify you if there are any potential negative interactions of the medication, for example, if it’s not advisable to consume alcohol while taking a particular medication.
Matter Smart Home App
Apple have redeveloped there Home app incorporating the Matter standard. Matter is a connectivity standard that emerged from an industry lead (Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung SmartThings, the Zigbee Alliance) working group started in 2019. Matter aims to allow smart home devices to seamlessly work together.
Apples new Smart Home app now allows better control and navigation of smart home devices. You can now get an overview of your smart home stats in a single image, and the app has new features such as lights and climate controls. You can now add a home widget to the lock screen too, making it possible to keep an eye on your smart home without needing to unlock your phone.
Fitness app
Until now Apple’s fitness app was only available to Apple Watch users. Starting from iOS16 the Fitness app will now be available to all iPhone users.
Accessibility improvements
Apple has often led the way by embedding accessibility into every aspect of their technology. With the advancements in hardware, machine learning and software, iOS16 will include even more accessibility features. These include:
Door Detection
This feature will assist someone with a visual impairment to navigate by identifying a door. Door Detection can then provide the person with information about how far they are from the door, if it is open or closed, whether it can be opened by pushing, turning a knob, or pulling a handle. Additionally, Door Detection can read signs, door number and symbols around the door.
Door Detection requires iPhone or iPad with the LiDAR Scanner, for instance either the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, or the iPad Pro.
Live Captions
Live Captions will now be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Live Captions are generated in real time on the device ensuring they are provivate and secure. With Live Live Captions enabled any audio content will appear as text captions too. This could be a phone or FaceTime call, using a video conferencing or social media app, streaming media content, or having a conversation with someone next to you. You can adjust font size to suite your needs too. When using this feature with FaceTime on a Mac you have the option to type a response, and have it spoken aloud in real time to others who are part of the conversation.
Live Captions will be available on the Phone 11 and later, iPad models with A12 Bionic and later, and Macs with Apple silicon.
Buddy Controller
Buddy Controller combines any two game controllers into one, this means multiple controllers can drive the input for a single player. So now someone can ask a care provider or friend to help them play a game.
Siri Pause Time
For people with speech disabilities, you can now adjust how long Siri waits before responding to a request.
Sound Recognition
Allows you to effectively teach your device to recognise custom sounds for example a home’s unique alarm, doorbell, or appliances.
Apple Watch Mirroring
For people who have difficulty interacting with Apple Watch, Apple has introduced Apple Watch Mirroring allowing you to control a watch paired with your iPhone. This allows you to then use the iPhone’s assistive features such as Voice Control and Switch Control as alternatives to tapping the Apple Watch display.
iPadOS 16
Many of the new features included in iOS16 will also appear in iPadOS.
One new feature coming to iPad is Apple Stage Manager. This new feature automatically organises open apps and windows allowing you to focus on your task while still being able to see everything at a glance. Unfortunately, due to the memory requirements, Apple Stage Manager will only be available on iPads with an M1 or newer Chip.
A new digital whiteboard app will also be introduced. The Freeform app, enables you to add notes, include photos, draw and even FaceTime someone directly from the app. Freeform supports collaboration so it is possible for you to work together with others on the digital whiteboard with changes happening in real-time.
Apple Passkeys
Currently a lot of effort is being put into creating a more secure way of logging into systems. Apple is working with industry partners such as Microsoft and Google, the FIDO alliance and developers to create a next-generation credential that’s more secure and easier to use. While there is still a long way to go, the aim is to create passwordless logins across mobile, desktop, apps, and browsers.
Passkeys which Apple announced during an WWDC presentation on updates to Safari (Apple’s web browser) aims to make this possible. In simple terms, Apple Passkeys uses the biometrics features built into Apple devices such as Touch ID or Face ID and “cryptographic techniques” to generate a unique and secure key. This is then stored on your Apple devices and shared through Apples iCloud Keychain which uses end-to-end encryption. This, in theory, means that your password can’t be stollen because it only securely exists on your device. In time, you will be able to sign into websites and apps on non-Apple devices using an iPhone or iPad by scanning a QR code and then use Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate.
This is really exciting, not only as it provides a more secure means to login but will make it easier for those who have difficulty logging into systems. Many more announcements covering other products were made during WWDC. It remains thrilling to see the ongoing advances in technology and its potential to improve people’s lives.
Here to help
As always, I am interested to hear about how you are using mobile and other smart technology. If you would like to have a particular topic covered in the next newsletter, please let me know. I am also available at any time to support and help where I can.
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- Featured in the Karten Summer 2022 Newsletter
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