New M2 Air

WWDC22: Breakthrough OS features & the next-gen chip

This year’s bumper Worldwide Developers Conference focused not only on what was next for macOS, watchOS, iPadOS, and iOS, but also lifted the lid on new hardware from the Cupertino company, with Apple showing off the new MacBook Air, powered by the M2 chip.

LEAPS FORWARD FOR SOFTWARE

Although Apple typically saves hardware announcements for separate events held throughout the year, the company made the unusual move of announcing two new MacBook products at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. As well as an all-new MacBook Air, which has been redesigned, the firm also bumped the specs of its entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro. That’s, of course, on top of the major announcements across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS, with each operating system given new features and tools designed to make the Apple ecosystem even more powerful and attractive to both consumers and professionals.

On iOS, Apple premiered a new Lock Screen design, and another exciting change is an overhaul to CarPlay, with Apple now supporting vehicles with large dashboard screens. Apple says that it will now integrate more deeply with vehicles to control things like climate control, and users will be able to personalize their experience. Other changes include new notifications, refinements to the Focus experience, an iCloud Shared Photo Library, and more. iPadOS introduced collaborations in Messages, the long-awaited port of the Weather app, as well as a new Freeform app, a redesigned Game Center, and Reference Mode for iPad and Mac. watchOS was handed new watch face designs, as well as improved workout apps, enhanced sleep tracking, and more.