Apple Announces iOS 14 With Widgets on the Home Screen

Apple’s WWDC keynote was virtual this year, but that didn’t stop it from announcing the next version of its mobile software, iOS 14. From a report: Fourteen versions since its debut changed the world, Apple is refocusing its improvement efforts on strengthening iOS’s tent poles. That means more little changes and improvements across iOS and less of an aesthetic change. For…

What Happens If Apple Switches to Its Own ARM Chips for Macs?

CNN reports that Apple could announce “a long-rumored switch” from Intel chips to its own ARM-based chips for Macs at its WWDC conference Monday — citing a report from Bloomberg. Then they consider the possible advantages: When that does happen, the major changes Mac users are likely to see include better battery life and sleeker devices. Apple’s in-house chips have a…

Ahead of WWDC, Apple’s Developer App Adds Mac Support, New Features, iMessage Stickers

Ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference starting next week, the company has today launched a new version of its Apple Developer App to better support its plans for the virtual event. TechCrunch reports: Notably, the app has been made available for Mac for the first time, in addition to a redesign and other minor feature updates. With the needs of an…

Apple Plans To Announce Move To Its Own Mac Chips at WWDC

Apple is preparing to announce a shift to its own main processors in Mac computers, replacing chips from Intel, as early as this month at its annual developer conference, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the plans. From the report: The company is holding WWDC the week of June 22. Unveiling the initiative, codenamed Kalamata, at the event would give…

Ask Slashdot: Are Virtual Or In-Person Developer Conferences ‘Better’?

Long-time Slashdot reader theodp writes: Microsoft Build kicks off online Tuesday as a free virtual event after plans for an in-person Seattle conference with a $2,395 entry fee and 6,000 or so attendees were shelved due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is just one of many large in-person developer conferences that were canceled in response to the pandemic. While the deep-pocketed…

Are Virtual Conferences Better Than Real-World Conferences?

Fast Company’s Mark Sullivan argues that cancelling this year’s tech conferences could have a silver lining — by encouraging a movement toward virtual conferences: There are developers across the U.S. and around the world who get shut out when the conferences get sold out. Even more of them simply can’t afford the admission fee (last year’s WWDC was $1599) and travel…

Apple Limits Tracking and Ads In Kid-Focused Apps

In addition to the “Sign in With Apple” button, Apple announced another privacy-focused measure at its WWDC on Monday: developers are no longer permitted to include third-party ads or analytics tools in apps in the App Store’s kid category. Engadget reports: The company laid out the rule in its updated guidelines for app submissions, confirming a report from last week that…

Apple Unveils 6K ‘Pro Display XDR’ Monitor That Starts At $5,000

One of the most ridiculous announcements made at Apple’s WWDC on Monday was the new Pro Display XDR monitor. It’s a monitor made to pair with the new Mac Pro, complete with top-level specs and a staggering $5,000 starting price. CNET reports: The monitor’s chief feature is high-dynamic range, aka HDR. Doing HDR correctly requires a lot of horsepower to illuminate…

iTunes Expected To Be Retired After Over 18 Years

While it was initially reported that iTunes would live on in macOS 10.15, it now looks like the app will be retired, over 18 years after it was introduced by the late Steve Jobs at Macworld on January 9, 2001. MacRumors reports: Apple will be replacing iTunes with standalone Music, TV, and Podcasts apps in the next major version of macOS,…