WWDC 2017: Doubling Down On The Ipad

This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) was one of the biggest in recent years.

- Kenny Yeo

You know this year’s WWDC is a little special when, apart from new OS updates, there is new hardware. The last time Apple announced new hardware at WWDC was way back in 2013.

As expected, all of Apple’s operating systems received varying degrees of updates. macOS and watchOS both received fairly minor updates, most of which were refinements and not thoroughly new. iOS, however, received a major update and a slew of new features, some of which could fundamentally change the way people use their iOS devices. It is not surprising at all that iOS got the most attention when you remember that the iPhone is Apple’s best-selling and most profitable product.

There are so many refinements and new features in iOS 11 that it is hard to find a place to start. But let’s begin with Siri, which has been criticized for being lackluster in comparison to rivals from the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. For a start, thanks to machine learning, Siri will now sound more natural and expressive and have more accurate pronunciation.

In addition, on-device learning will enable Siri to better understand and anticipate your needs. Beyond that, there’s also deeper integration with Apple Music. Siri will be able to translate in real time too; from English to Chinese, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.