WWDC 2024 Highlights
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is always one of the biggest tech events of the year, and WWDC 2024 certainly didn’t disappoint. Packed with major updates across iOS, macOS, watchOS and Apple’s growing AI ecosystem, this year’s keynote showed exactly where Apple is heading — and how they plan to weave AI deeper into everyday experiences.
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iOS 18: Apple’s Biggest Customisation Update Yet
One of the biggest announcements was iOS 18, bringing more personalisation than ever before. Apple finally introduced free-form app placement, letting users place icons anywhere on the Home Screen. You can also tint your apps, remove labels and create a more minimal layout.
Other key additions include:
- Revamped Control Centre with customisable layouts and new quick controls
- App locking for sensitive apps using Face ID
- Upgrades to Messages, including scheduled texts and richer Tapbacks
- Smarter Photos app with simplified organisation and AI-generated memories
These new features will work best on newer iPhones, especially those capable of running Apple Intelligence — Apple’s new AI suite.
Apple Intelligence: A Huge Step Forward for AI
WWDC 2024 marked the debut of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new on-device AI system designed to work seamlessly across iPhone, iPad and Mac. Apple’s focus was clear: privacy-first AI that enhances everyday tasks without overwhelming the user.
Some standout features included:
- Genmoji — AI-generated emojis based on prompts
- Writing Tools — rewrite, summarise or adjust tone across any app
- Image Playground — create fun AI images in seconds
- Smarter Siri — with better context understanding and natural speech
Apple also announced a collaboration with OpenAI, allowing users to access ChatGPT securely through Siri and system tools — with privacy front and centre.
macOS Sequoia: Smarter Multitasking
For Mac users, Apple unveiled macOS Sequoia, focusing on productivity and connectivity.
Key features include:
- iPhone Mirroring — control your iPhone wirelessly from your Mac
- Presenter Preview — polish your video calls and screen shares
- Password app — Apple’s new central hub for credentials, replacing Keychain
These updates aim to make Macs more powerful companions for remote workers and multitaskers.
watchOS 11: New Health and Fitness Metrics
Apple also announced watchOS 11, bringing major upgrades for Apple Watch users, especially around health tracking. The new Training Load feature gives athletes deeper insights into performance and recovery, while a redesigned Activity app offers more personalised recommendations.
There’s also a more dynamic Smart Stack, making glanceable widgets even more useful.
iPadOS 18: The Calculator App Finally Arrives
One of the most unexpected crowd-pleasers? The iPad finally got a Calculator app.
But Apple didn’t stop there — they introduced Math Notes, allowing users to write equations with Apple Pencil and get instant answers. iPadOS 18 also inherits many of iOS 18’s customisation features and adds powerful new apps tailored for larger displays.
Preparing for What’s Next
From personalised interfaces to intelligent writing tools and more advanced photo organisation, WWDC 2024 showed Apple’s clearest shift yet toward a future powered by privacy-focused AI.
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