Apple WWDC 2020 live blog

The Worldwide Developers Conference is where Apple outlines the new software features for the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod and the rest of its hardware. Expect news on iOS 14 and much more.

3rd & 7 37yd

Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:18:28 PM
Ooh, and there's going to be threading in conversations now
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:18:31 PM
This is smart for groups
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:18:55 PM
And there're mentions to direct messages to people -- and you can control whether you wait to be mentioned to be alerted
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:19:36 PM
Next, we get changes to Maps and CarPlay
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:19:50 PM
"We know that life looks very different for many of us right now, but it won't always be this way," Federighi says.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:20:10 PM
He notes Apple rebuilt maps "from the ground up" in the past year
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:20:48 PM
Federighi says Maps has come a long way and includes a review that highlights the privacy policy vs. Google
Sarah Tew 6/22/2020 5:20:54 PM
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:20:57 PM
Wait, here's my Mimoji!
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:21:12 PM
Now up: Meg Frost, Director of Product Design for Apple Maps
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:21:37 PM
In iOS 14, Maps team will be working with brands like Zagat and Alltrails to help you see things around the world
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:21:52 PM
Some things, like Air Power, have a moment, and vanish. Heck, same for the great old MagSafe power cable. But Apple Maps -- still kicking!
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:22:03 PM
Will update with every new suggestion added. "You always have the latest recommendations," Frost says
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:22:54 PM
I do like the elevation info for cycling, that sounds very useful.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:22:55 PM
Maps will also have a Cycling mode now. "We've built an incredible cycling experience that helps you get around town on your bike." -- Includes bike lanes, paths and roads. Also takes elevation into account, whether there're stairs, and whether streets are busy
Sarah Tew 6/22/2020 5:23:05 PM
Sarah Tew 6/22/2020 5:23:07 PM
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:23:14 PM
But I wonder is public transit info will improve -- that's one thing Google Maps does really, really well.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:23:47 PM
Even though I have not been not been on the subway in many, many months.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:23:50 PM
Maps will also have EV routing -- it'll track your current charge, and factor in elevation and weather to include electric charging stations. Working with Ford and BMW (but notably, not Tesla on that list, though Frost says more soon)
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:24:12 PM
In Paris and China -- Maps will also alert people to tell them when they're allowed to drive into the city or not
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:24:18 PM
And now CarPlay
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:24:49 PM
CarPlay is available on 97% of new cars in the US, Federighi says and is in 80% of new cars sold around the world.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:24:51 PM
Ok gang -- as a "car guy" now, I'm very excited about this.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:25:06 PM
Oh, if you had Joanna Stern on your WWDC Bingo card, drink!
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:25:39 PM
And now the rumor about Car Key support is true. Emily Schubert, senior manager working on CarPlay, will have it
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:26:05 PM
Replace your car key? I like this, too. It's funny, I'm apparently very, very basic. I got a Honda CR-V. I asked people on my team what they have, Scott and Josh both said, same thing, CR-V.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:26:49 PM
Will work with 2021 BMW to start. The keys are NFC -- which means they can be shared via iMessage, they can be deleted when you want to, etc.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:27:07 PM
All the keys are stored in the "Secure Element," Apple says
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:27:08 PM
Oh...these guys can not read a joke off a teleprompter to save their lives...
Sarah Tew 6/22/2020 5:27:15 PM
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:27:18 PM
soon, you'll be able to keep your key in your pocket and still start your car, Apple says
Sarah Tew 6/22/2020 5:27:21 PM
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:27:26 PM
Ok, now App Store
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:27:28 PM
I feel like I bought my first car at just the right now.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:27:50 PM
Uh oh, app store. A source of some controversy recently.
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:28:12 PM
"What if you don't have the app you need it?" New term -- App Clips
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:28:26 PM
I suppose this must be the airtags that have been rumored for so long
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:28:26 PM
When you control the key to the walled garden, well, people are going to say you're tilting the field in your direction.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:29:07 PM
Here's the background on all that: https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-gives-thumbs-up-to-hey-email-app-after-update-rejection/
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:29:22 PM
App Clips are small parts of an app -- designed for speed, Apple says. "You don't need to enter credit card numbers because apps can use Apple Pay" and they can use sign-in-with-Apple so you don't even have to sign in
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:29:33 PM
I do like this idea of mini-apps. I hate, hate, hate having to download full apps for a single interaction.
dan.ackerman 6/22/2020 5:30:06 PM
But will I end up with now two classes on apps on my phone? Full apps and clips? Is this app creep?
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:30:19 PM
"Discovery is key -- App Clips are all about getting to a part of an app at the moment you need it" -- you can launch them from messages, you can include them the maps app, you can find them with NFC tags on parking meters.

Oh, not AirTags! They're scannable codes instead
Ian Sherr 6/22/2020 5:31:00 PM
Yelp will help restaurants or businesses create app clips easily through Apple apparently too.