Apple combats FOMO with iOS12 launch

SAN JOSE: It wasn’t the splashy gadget filled-spectacle we’ve seen from Apple in the past but there was still plenty of news.

On Monday at their World Wide Developers Conference, Apple stuck to a very software-specific agenda, which did include some interesting new software.

The big ticket items for the day included the announcement of iOS12 and the launch of a new MacOS, called Mojave (pronounced Moh-hav-e), both which will launch this fall. Other launches included updates to for the Apple Watch, with is being upgraded to WatchOS 5.

With iOS 12, Apple didn’t announce a major overhaul of the operating system but instead offered a revamp that focuses on performance.

One of the most interesting new features, which will appear on iOS12 as well as Mojave, will be the ability to set parental controls that will give users — and their family members — a breakdown of how they spend their time online. Parental Controls are not new to the iPhone, but the features announced on Monday offer parents a much greater degree of control. This includes the ability to set time limits, even for yourself, and a “Do Not Disturb” setting. Earlier media reports said Apple would address smartphone addiction, but instead Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, just said that Apple wants to help people deal with their Fear of Missing Out, which is commonly referred to as FOMO.

“We’re offering our users detailed information and tools to help them better understand and control the time they spend with apps and websites, how often they pick up their iPhone or iPad during the day and how they receive notifications,” Federighi said during his presentation at WWDC.

FaceTime

Another popular iOS feature, FaceTime, also received a nice upgrade. Apple’s person-to-person video communication software will now allow up to 32 people to talk to together in a “group chat.” FaceTime is still not available in the UAE, however, although the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has reportedly been in talks with Microsoft about lifting the ban on VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services. Apple has not commented on whether it is also in talks with TRA.

Data protection

On a similar note, Apple also announced new features to protect people’s data online.

Safari, Apple’s web browser, will now make it harder for data companies to track people and computers online. When the new OS launches, Safari will limit the data that it shares making your web browsing a little more anonymous.

It will block third-parties from tracking your “Like,” “Shares” and online comments without permission.

Augmented Reality

Also included in iOS12 will be an upgraded Augmented Reality kit (ARkit 2). Apple has focused a lot of attention on its Augmented Reality technology, which is the ability of smartphones to overlay camera images with computer generated imagery or information. The new kit which will allow multiple users to share a singular “augmented” reality. The technology will be marketed initially for games, with LEGO announcing several games using the new AR kit.

Siri

Both Mohave and iOS12 will include upgrades to Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, although it remains to be seem if the enhancements will allow Siri to finally compete with Amazon Echo or the Google Assistant.

Users will now be able to create “Siri Shortcuts”. Users will be able to customise Shortcuts by creating a simple voice command that will start a task or a series of actions. Developers will also be able to include Shortcuts into the apps they create.

Create personal Emoji

Apple launched Memojis, a follow-up to last year’s Animojis, which will allow users to create and design their own person emoji that can be used to record and send messages that include their facial expressions. People can also use their Memojis in FaceTime.

Equity markets seem unimpressed by Monday’s announcements. Despite a midday jump in Apple’s stock price to above $193 a share on Monday, the stock stood at $191.76 an hour after the event and ended up only $0.11 on the day at $191.83. The stock had been on a tear last week, raising from $187.86 on May 31.