CleanMyMac X banner
These articles are brought to you by CleanMyMac X.
Cult of Mac readers get a 5% discount on an annual CleanMyMac subscription for just $33.20 (reg $39.95)

WWDC22 recap: Apple revelations make our heads spin [The CultCast]

By

WWDC22 recap: There was much info to get through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
There was so much info to plow through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
Image: Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 16 … iPadOS 16 … macOS Ventura … watchOS 9…. We’re racing as fast as we can through all Apple’s WWDC22 keynote revelations, but we’re gonna need a longer show. It’s our WWDC22 recap!

Also on The CultCast:

  • How about that super-skinny new MacBook Air?
  • And the blazing-fast new M2 chip that powers it?
  • Next-gen CarPlay looks like a total cockpit takeover.
  • What happened to Apple’s AR/VR headset?!?

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: Squarespace

Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.

Apple explains why Stage Manager is not coming to non-M1 iPads

By

Why the best iPadOS 16 features are limited to M1 iPads
You can't have iPadOS 16's Stage Manager multitasking system without one of the capabilities of the M1 processor.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Many of the best features of iPadOS 16 like Stage Manager are only coming to the M1 iPads. This angered a lot of non-M1 iPad users since they believe Apple is intentionally trying to limit the feature to newer devices.

The company has now provided an in-depth technical explanation behind Stage Manager not coming to older iPads.

Photos from WWDC22: Apple Park, the Apple Developer Center and more

By

Looking back through the doors from outside.
Developers, students and press enjoyed a rare opportunity to visit the Apple Park campus during WWDC22.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

CUPERTINO, California — For the first time, a big group of developers, students and media were allowed inside the very heart of Apple’s spaceship HQ during WWDC22.

The central office building, known as the Ring, is bigger than the Pentagon. Teams at Apple move in and out between other buildings as projects change — I met several ARKit engineers who recently moved in and were a bit vague on what they were working on. Interesting.

Previously, members of the media had been escorted to the Steve Jobs Theater for press events, which is another building off to the side of the sprawling Apple Park campus. However, the theater would have been much too small to fit the 1,000 developers, 350 students and hundreds of employees attending the WWDC22 keynote viewing party.

This special day for developers — an invitation-only, in-person event at this year’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference — marked a big step in Apple’s efforts to boost developer trust. Apple also gave attendees a first look at the new Apple Developer Center located just across the street from the Ring.

See the full gallery below for more than 80 pictures of Apple’s campus.

Why the best iPadOS 16 features are limited to M1 iPads

By

Why the best iPadOS 16 features are limited to M1 iPads
You can't have iPadOS 16's Stage Manager multitasking system without one of the capabilities of the M1 processor.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

iPadOS 16 gives Apple tablets some powerful new capabilities, but there have been protests that these are limited to iPad models with the M1 processor. Apple promises this isn’t a trick to force people to upgrade their computers.

The iPad-maker says that only the M-series processors can deliver enough RAM to display eight applications at once.

With iOS 16 you cannot use your iPad as a HomeKit hub

By

Apple discussed its overhauled Home app and HomeKit at WWDC22.
Apple discussed its overhauled Home app and HomeKit at WWDC22.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Apple rebuilt its Home app from the ground up for iOS 16, ensuring it will make managing HomeKit a breeze and support the upcoming Matter home-automation standard.

But for those who’ve been using an iPad as a hub for HomeKit, the house party’s over as of iOS 16’s release.

iOS 16’s RoomPlan captures 3D floor plans in seconds

By

RoomPlan lets you create 3D floor plan using your iPhone's LiDAR scanner
RoomPlan puts the LiDAR Scanner on iPhones and iPads to good use.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

A new framework dubbed RoomPlan will allow apps to quickly create 3D floor plans of rooms using the LiDAR Scanner in recent iPhones and iPads.

The Swift API will allow real estate and e-commerce apps to scan and create a room’s floor plan. This can then be used for remodeling and interior design changes. Despite its wow factor, Apple did not talk about the RoomPlan API onstage during Monday’s WWDC22 keynote.

Apple’s updated Mail app adds email scheduling, undo-send and reminders

By

Apple's bringing some much-wanted features to it native email client.
Apple's bringing some much-wanted features to it native email client.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Alongside a slew of software updates announced at WWDC22, Apple said its Mail app will let you schedule email delivery and undo sends, among other changes that bring the client closer in functionality to some of its leading competitors.

That’s handy for shooting off emails at ideal times and for clawing back those notes you realize you shouldn’t have sent (you know, because you forgot the attachment, not necessarily because you said something awful).

Apple makes a play for gamers with Metal 3 and more game controller support

By

Apple makes a play for gamers with Metal 3 and more game controller support
Craig Federighi, Apple software chief, made a pitch for more Mac and iPad gaming at WWDC22.
Screenshot: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Mac is not the preferred platform for most gamers, but Metal 3 in macOS Ventura shows Apple hasn’t given up. And iPadOS 16 is getting support for a wider range of game controllers.

These are just a couple of gaming features Apple is bringing to Mac and iPad.

Recap WWDC22’s biggest hits via Sketchnotes

By

WWDC22 sketchnote
WWDC22_sketchnote
Photo: Andy McNally
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

The WWDC22 keynote contained a blizzard of features and exciting announcements. As in past years, I ended up with two pages of drawings in my notebook. I sketched out the biggest new features coming to iOS 16, macOS Ventura and watchOS 9. And then there’s the new CarPlay, Maps, Apple Pay, Messages, the new M2 chip, MacBook Air and more.

For a quick visual recap of the highlights of Monday’s WWDC22 keynote, check out my two pages of sketchnotes below.

In iOS 16, Focus filters give you finer control over iPhone distractions

By

Focus filters can set more boundaries within apps, cutting down on distractions.
Focus filters can set more boundaries within apps, cutting down on distractions.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Apple showcased an impressive lineup of improvements to Focus modes at WWDC22 Monday. They include Focus-linked custom Lock Screens, set-up suggestions, new filters and more.

The upgrades should provide users with customized ways to cut down on distractions more effectively, especially now that Focus can provide a new level of control by setting boundaries within apps.

These 12 apps won the Apple Design Awards at WWDC22

By

The 2022 Apple Design Awards recognize outstanding apps and games in six categories.
The 2022 Apple Design Awards recognize outstanding apps and games in six categories.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Following the WWDC 2022 opening keynote Monday, Apple honored exceptional apps and games via the 2022 Apple Design Awards. In the ceremony, the company selected iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app nominees that “demonstrated outstanding technical achievement” and more.

In this year’s awards, selection pared down a field of 36 nominated finalists to the 12 winners. Three apps and three games competed in each of the six categories: inclusivity, delight and fun, interaction, social impact, visuals and graphics, and innovation.

Check out the winners below.

These big surprises blew our minds at WWDC22

By

Apple's team of software wizards unleashed a torrent of welcome surprises in the WWDC22 keynote.
Apple's team of software wizards unleashed a torrent of welcome surprises in the WWDC22 keynote.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Credit to Apple: The company managed to sneak some real surprises past the leakers and tipsters. Several reveals during Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote came as a shock to everyone. There’s a new MacBook no one was expecting, a way to use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, a huge revamp to CarPlay and more.

Also surprising were some things that didn’t show show up during the live-streamed event.

Here’s everything unexpected that managed to sneak into the WWDC22 keynote.

iOS 16 will make iPhone dictation far less cumbersome

By

iOS 16 will make dictation far less cumbersome
Entering text into an iPhone just by saying it gets easier with iOS 16.
Screenshot: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

The iPhone’s Dictation feature that lets you enter text just by speaking gets even simpler in the upcoming iOS 16 by combining voice and text input.

And it won’t even be necessary to enter punctuation. The phone will handle that on its own.

Apple’s new biometric Passkeys may kill passwords for good

By

Apple's new Passkey system on a MacBook
Apple's Passkeys promise to kill passwords forever.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

If passwords are the bane of your life, Apple’s got some good news. The company just introduced Passkeys, a new biometric system that can’t be phished, stolen or compromised.

“We’ve helped create a next-generation credential that’s more secure, easier to use and aims to replace passwords for good,” said Darin Adler, VP internet Technologies, during Monday’s WWDC22 keynote.

Massive Home app makeover brings Matter support and more

By

The Home app has been rebuilt from the ground up, Apple said at WWDC22.
The Home app has been rebuilt from the ground up, Apple said at WWDC22.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Among the many new products and features Apple showcased at WWDC22 came news of a revamped Home app for the HomeKit smart-home platform.

Arriving with iOS 16 later this year, the app is rebuilt from the ground up. Apple said it will be more efficient and reliable, especially for homes with many accessories. And it will support the new Matter smart-home technology standard.

Continuity Camera brings iPhone optics to macOS

By

Craig using Camera Continuity on macOS
It might look a little silly, but Camera Continuity could be a huge win for video calls AND video streaming
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Continuity Camera, a new feature coming in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, will upgrade video calls by bringing the iPhone’s pristine camera to the Mac.

“With Continuity Camera, you can use iPhone as your webcam,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software engineering, during Monday’s live-streamed WWDC22 keynote. “It’s powered by the advanced capabilities of the iPhone camera system, letting you do things that were never before possible with a webcam.”

Updated 13-inch MacBook Pro gets M2 chip

By

The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

While the new MacBook Air dominated speculation about Apple hardware launches leading up to WWDC22, another powerful M2 machine slipped in a side door at the event. Against expectations, Apple rolled out the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with the powerful new chipset.

“We’re so excited to bring our new M2 chip to the world’s two most popular laptops — the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The 13-inch MacBook Pro [features] incredible performance, ProRes acceleration, up to 24GB of memory, and up to 20 hours of battery life — making our most portable pro notebook even better.”

watchOS 9 brings massive upgrade to Workout app and other health improvements

By

Runners get some much-needed love in watchOS 9
Runners get some much-needed love in watchOS 9.
Photo: Apple

WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac XApple revealed what it has up its sleeve for Apple Watch during its WWDC22 keynote Monday. watchOS 9 includes some fun new watch faces and various other minor additions. But the Workout app really stole the show with a host of welcome new features.

Apple is taking on fitness specialists like Garmin with prosumer experiences such as Heart Rate Zone training, Running Form Metrics, Custom Workouts and Kickboard Detection for swimmers. Could this newfound interest in elite fitness suggest a rugged Explorer Edition Apple Watch will debut in the fall?

Which devices will run Apple’s next-gen software — and which won’t

By

WWDC22: The Mac's Spotlight search will get more powerful in macOS Ventura.
New features coming in macOS Ventura, watchOS 9 and iOS and iPadOS 16 sound great. But lots of existing Apple devices won't run the updates.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

In a jam-packed opening keynote of WWDC22, Apple announced iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9 and macOS Ventura. However, Apple’s next-gen operating systems are not coming to all of its devices. The company is dropping support for many older iPhones, iPads and Macs this time around.

Read below to find out whether your Apple device is getting the next big software update later this year or not.

iMessage gets competitive new features in iOS 16

By

iMessage conversation, with an edited message notated by a label
In iOS 16, you'll be able to edit your iMessages to ensure you don't accidentally call your boss Babe... again.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Apple’s Messages app is getting great new features in iOS 16 that will give users greater control over the way they communicate with friends, family and co-workers.

iMessage is already arguably one of the biggest chat services, thanks to its deep integration with iPhone and the rest of the Apple ecosystem. The new features, including the ability to tweak or delete messages that have already been sent, should make it even more competitive — and potentially less embarrassing.

iPad finally gets floating windows in Stage Manager on iPadOS 16

By

iPad finally gets floating windows in Stage Manager on iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 brings some of the most-requested iPad features, including floating app windows and full external display support.
Screenshot: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

The wraps came off iPadOS 16 during the keynote for WWDC22 on Monday, and Apple fulfilled the requests of many iPad power users by adding support for resizable, floating app windows. And there’s also full support for external displays. There are many other changes as well.

“Our vision for iPadOS is to create a distinct experience that’s built on the best of iOS with powerful capabilities from macOS, combined with features that are uniquely iPad,” said Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering. “All of this comes together to deliver our most versatile release this year in iPadOS 16.”

macOS Ventura will supercharge Macs with innovative features

By

macOS Ventura is packed with features.
macOS Ventura is packed with features.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Apple has announced macOS Ventura at WWDC22, focusing on better window management, enhanced system apps, new Continuity features, smarter Spotlight, better gaming performance and more.

The first developer beta of macOS Ventura is already out for developers, with the public beta set to start next month.

Say hello to Apple’s next-gen M2 chip

By

Meet the chip powering Apple's new MacBook Air.
Meet the chip powering Apple's new MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

Apple unveiled the next-generation of Apple silicon during the WWDC22 keynote Monday. This new M2 chip, which is launching in a redesigned MacBook Air and as an under-the-hood addition to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, offers even more power and efficiency than the previous-generation M1 processor.

“Today we begin our second generation of Apple silicon designed specifically for the Mac,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s SVP of hardware technologies, during the live-streamed keynote.

The new M2 chip “goes beyond the remarkable features of M1,” he said. “Unlike others in the industry who significantly increase power to gain performance, our approach is different. We continue to have a relentless focus on power-efficient performance. In other words, maximizing performance while minimizing power consumption.”