By: Michael Carey

Welcome to Apple Apex. This weekly column will feature the biggest need-to-know stories for fans and users of all things Apple. Check back weekly for the latest news, rumors, and leaks on everything Apple.

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On Monday, Apple helped their yearly Worldwide Developers Conference (also known as WWDC) to reveal new software updates to all their platforms.

iOS 12

As Apple previously stated, the main focal ppint of iOS 12 is all about performance. After the shaky release of iOS 11 and its many bugs, Apple opted to go less on features, and more on stability of the iOS ecosystem.

In iOS 12, Apple is advertising up to a 70% faster swipe to the Camera App, up to a 50% faster keyboard display, and up to 2x faster app launch. Slowdowns have been a consistent problem with iOS 11 since its release in the Fall of 2017.

FaceTime is also seeing a heavily requested feature from users. For the first time, FaceTime will feature the ability to FaceTime with up to 32 individuals using an iOS device. To address concerns, Apple has redesigned the FaceTime app as well, featuring a new tile layout for conversations bigger than 2 iOS users. Whoever is speaking at the time, the application will automatically blow up the tile of that individual.

In response to Samsung’s ARMoji, Apple is debuting their own AR Emoji feature called Memoji. This feature will allow iPhone X users to custom create their own personal emoji with AR technology, allowing users to customize skin tone, eyewear, facial hair, and more. Apple’s Animoji also will see four new additions to the feature including a Koala bear, a Tiger, a Ghost, and a T.Rex.

In addition to what is above, here are some of the other new features joining the iOS 12 update.

• Camera Effects – Similar to Snapchat and Instagram stories, the Camera app will now allow users to new filters, animated text effects, fun stickers, and more.
• Screen Time – For the parents (or those who wish to limit iPhone time), a new setting will allow users to track app activity, and set timers for use of specific apps.
• Grouped Notifications – Another heavily requested feature, Apple will now group notifications in the Lock Screen, and the Notification Center. Apple is also advertising that “Siri also makes intelligent suggestions about your alerts based on how you interact with them.

Another major feature that was highlight was Contactless Student ID Cards. Being implemented into the Wallet App, Student ID Cards can be added to things such as entry to dorms, laundry, food, purchases and more. Apple partnered with a handful of universities, including Temple University, for this feature coming this fall.

iOS 12 is expected to be released this fall.

MacOS Majove

Apple’s next iteration of MacOS is feature packed.

Dark Mode will make its official debut on the Mac platform. This will be a feature that is implemented in every part of the MacOS platform, including in Messages, Keynote, Safari, Calendar, and Photos.

Like the iOS App Store, the MacOS App Store will see a brand new overhaul. Now, users will see a new experience when purchasing apps, including front-and-center reviews, new Create, Work, Play, Develop tabs, and stories about Apps from developers, and users.

In addition to the visually appealing Dark Mode, Apple is bringing a new feature called Dynamic Desktop. This feature will allow the user to customize their work environment with a time-shifting desktop wallpaper. As the day progress, your wallpaper can change from a morning scene, to an afternoon, and to an evening scene. While it isn’t confirmed if users can use third-party images or applications, Apple highlighted the feature with the Majove wallpaper.

To address clutter on the desktop, Stacks will help you organize your desktop. By grouping the desktop icons, files, and images into Stacks, one’s clutter becomes organized into a handful of icons including Images, Documents, and Presentations.

In addition to what is above, here are some of the other new features joining the iOS 12 update.

• Quick Look – Do more in Quick Look by marking up images, cropping images, rotating, trimming audio and video files, and share via Mail or Messages.
• Screenshots – Users can now screen capture by video their entire screen, or a selected space, as well as for screenshots. Screenshots also will feature the same corner tile feature as iOS devices, which can be used in Markup.
• FaceTime – iOS/MacOS users can FaceTime with up to 32 users at any given time.
• Apps – News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos will debut on the Mac this fall.

MacOS Majove is expected to be released this fall.

watchOS 5

watchOS 5 is all about competition, and communication.

Activity Competitions will help Apple Watch users reach their goals even further. In addition to sharing activities with friends, users can now challenge their friends to a seven-day competition where points can be earned based on exercises and closing rings. In addition, there is Personalized Coaching, to help push users to achieve their goals and beat their friends.

Apple Watch will now be feature Auto-Workout Detection if a user begins a workout without initializing their Watch. The Watch will also remind you to end your workout if you get distracted, or when you are halted for a period of time.

Say hello to Walkie-Talkie, A simple, fast way to communicate with your friends with an Apple Watch. Coming as a new app, simply press the TALK Button and speak. Once the user sends their message, you will be notified when a new communication is received.

Siri for Apple Watch will also receive a nice upgrade, via the Siri Watch Face. It now will offer more proactive shortcuts throughout the day based on routines and information such as workout data. Siri will work with Apple Maps on the watch, and also update you on sports scores.

In addition to what is above, here are some of the other new features joining the watchOS 5 update.

• Student ID Cards – Student ID Cards in the Wallet App can now be used to access dorm rooms, laundry, dining halls, and more. Temple University is among the handful of Universities implementing this feature first by the end of the year.
• Enhanced Notifications – Third-Party applications will now have interactive controls in the Notifications pull down.
• New WatchFace and Bands – To celebrate Pride Month, Apple is releasing a new rainbow-colored WatchFace that will debut on Monday, June 4th, As well as a new Nylon rainbow band. New Summer colors for Bands include Marine Green, Peach, and Sky Blue.
• Apple Podcasts – Users can now listen to their favorite podcasts on the go with Apple Podcasts on Apple Watch.

watchOS 5 is expected to be released this fall.

tvOS 12

While tvOS 12 did not receive the most Keynote time, the Apple TV’s software is receiving some love.
The biggest addition will be the support of Dolby ATMOS, which is the highest quality “cinematic audio experience” available on the market today. The feature brings 360 degrees sound quality to immerse the user into the experience of their film or TV Show.

As cable boxes and services are beginning to dwindle, Charter Communications customers will soon be able to purchase an Apple 4KTV through their cable provider through a current-exclusive partnership with Apple, as well as iPhones and iPads. Apple stated that future partnerships with other cable companies will be coming soon. In addition, Zero Sign-On will allow users to never have to sign into every single application by entering their cable provider information. By being connected to your ISP, Apple TV will automatically unlock all apps that require the sign in.

In addition to what is above, here are some of the other new features joining the tvOS 12 update.

• Apple TV app – there will soon be a quick button feature added to Control Center of Apple TV users, which will be added automatically once the user’s Apple TV is hooked up.
• Aeriel Screensavers – New Aerial Screensavers will be added to Apple TV, as well as text-based information as to where the scenes are shot at. In partnership with the International Space Station, users can now have screensavers from space and the ISS.

tvOS 12 is expected to be released this Fall.

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Thank you for checking out Apple Apex. Check back weekly for the latest news, rumors, and leaks on everything Apple.

This article was written, researched, and edited by Michael Carey. If you wish to connect with Michael, follow him on Twitter at @MichaeICarey or email him at mcarey@whipradiotu.com . 

Disclaimer – Michael Carey and WHIP Radio are in no way affiliated with Apple. Apple Newsroom contributed to this report.