WWDC20: iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 Highlights

Apple’s first free and fully remote WWDC20 conference revealed a number of updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. We’ll look at some WWDC20 highlights for both iOS 14 and iPad iOS 14.

iOS 14 Updates

For iOS 14, released this fall, developers and users can look forward to the following enhancements:  

Picture-in-picture playback for video: Although present for the iPad since 2015, Picture-in-picture playback will allow you to play a video on the iPhone from one app, and then continue to navigate across the device while the video persists via a floating window – providing a means for you to multi-task while the video plays. 

Compact Siri UI: Siri, upon launching, will appear in a notification window at the top of the screen, and place a large icon at the bottom of the screen to signify it is active. The compact UI will allow you to multitask across multiple apps. In addition, Siri will feature an on-device translation capability that will translate your typed or spoken text into one of 11 languages to be displayed on screen and spoken via synthetic voice over the iPhone speaker. 

App Library: The App Library organizes your apps by category allowing you to launch them from one convenient view. 

Widgets: iOS 14 brings redesigned widgets that provide more information at a glance, and the ability to add them to your homescreen in one of three sizes, for in-the-moment data views. For more information see our WWDC20 iOS 14 Widgets article.

App Clips: App Clips are discoverable mini-apps that are available on demand and consist of streamlined tasks that are a subset of a complete app. They are launched via tapping NFC tags or scanning QR codes, from Messages, Maps, and Safari, and through Apple-designed App Clip codes.  For more information see our WWDC20 iOS 14 App Clip article.

Messages: iOS 14 sees enhancements for messages that include pinned conversations that allow you to move important conversations to the top of your message screen, mentions that allow you to direct a message to an individual in a group conversation, inline replies that give you the ability to reply directly to an individual in a group conversation, and the ability to set a group conversation photo by using photos, emoji, or Memoji. 

Memojis: New iOS 14 Memoji features include new hairstyles, headwear styles, expanded age options, enhanced expressions, new stickers, and the timely option of a face covering. 

Maps: iOS 14 Map enhancements include cycle routing that shows elevation, traffic congestion, and the ability to set routes to avoid stairs and steep inclines; Electric vehicle routing including charging stations and charge time; city-specific guides; and congestion zones navigation.

CarPlay:  For CarPlay compatible vehicles, enhanced iOS 14 features for CarPlay provide drivers with third party parking, EV charging stations, quick food ordering, custom wallpaper for the dashboard and home screen, Chinese and Japanese keyboard support, shared ETA via Siri, and the ability to create or reply to audio messages. CarPlay also provides developers enhanced tools and templates for creating safer and more efficient in-car iPhone experiences. 

iPadOS 14 Updates

iPadOS 14 shares many of the same enhancements as iOS 14 for iPhone, plus new features specific to iPad such as:

App navigation design: iPadOS 14 introduces both sidebars and drop-down menus to allow more efficient navigation from one view. 

Scribble: Using Scribble, you can use the Apple Pencil to populate any text field across the iPad OS, with your handwriting converted to and read as typed text.

Notes: Advanced machine learning allows you to use the Apple Pencil to treat your handwritten notes as typed text via smart selection and data detectors, and supports enhanced drawing capabilities with shape recognition. 

ARKit 4: ARKit 4 introduces the Depth API that provides developers with more accurate depth data captured by the LiDAR Scanner on iPad Pro. The new Depth API allows for more accurate body measurements for applications like virtual apparel try-ons, and spatial measurements for applications like virtual interior design room visualizations. New Location Anchors take advantage of higher resolution data in Apple Maps to pin location-specific AR experiences, and expanded Face Tracking support that extends to the front-facing camera..

Search: iPadOS 14 introduces a rebuilt powerful Search utility that allows you to conduct a search from anywhere to find files, contacts, apps, quick information and answers to common questions. New Search capabilities also extend to more refined web searching, giving you better targeted and more relevant results. 

Get in Touch With Us 

Jackrabbit Mobile is committed to empowering businesses through custom digital solutions. Interested in developing rich iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 experiences for your user-base? Contact us for a consultation.