Waiting on WWDC
Over the past few years the opening of Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference has gradually become my most anticipated keynote of the year. There are usually several announcements sprinkled across the calendar, most notably as of late, an end of summer or early fall event to announce new iPhones.
It used to be the iPhone event was my most looked forward to event since iPhone was the main hub to my digital life, the tool I used most. In many ways it is still my main go-to device but the additions of iPad and Apple Watch have really changed how I interact and use my phone.
No longer I am required to text or even call directly from my iPhone. Either task can be accomplished on my iPad, Watch, or even Mac. These are small examples but I have many other highly used apps like Tweetbot, Airmail, Instapaper, Slack, Overcast, and many more that all happen on multiple devices now that save my place perfectly so I can pick up right were I left off, no matter what device it is I choose.
Apple’s continuity between operating systems makes each transition seamless and simple. My processes of accomplishing tasks is much more about using the proper tool for the job than they ever have been with the added bonus of having the ability to use any one tool should the others be unavailable.
While I greatly appreciate and insist on having elegant hardware to work with, more and more it is the software the runs on that hardware that I am really leaning on and relying heavily upon. WWDC is an exciting time to see what kind of new developments have been made and what kind of functionality will soon be possible with the hardware that I already have.
I can’t decide what OS announcements I am most excited for. Certainly, my excitement for Apple Watch could not be higher as it has become my favorite device that I own. The possibilities for improvement with watchOS are great and Apple should have some awesome things in store. Perhaps more importantly for me could be iOS. Moving to iPad(s) as my main personal computer over the last year has been mostly good and a little frustrating. Last year’s improvements to iOS provided a lot of power for iPad Pro (which as released later that year) and now that the Pro has been out for months and another model released, I’m expecting Apple to release more iPad specific power along with further extension ability.
Of course, day in and day out I use my MacBook Pro at work and updates to OS X (presumably soon to be named MacOS) have been central in completing true continuity between all my devices. One of the most enjoyable things as an Apple user over the past few years has been just how well each OS synchronizes with the other from Messages to Notes to Photos.
There’s a lot to be excited about at WWDC this year and many new directions and improvements Apple could make with their ecosystem (I didn’t even mention AppleTV and tvOS). The realization of just how important these software changes are likely going to be in my daily life has me thinking of how I should improve myself to further enjoy what I love and what I use.
With hardware leaks becoming more common, WWDC and software releases are some of Apple’s best surprises and most fun events. There may not be a shiny new product to buy or hold but the future will still be on display. In a lot of ways it is the most important product announcement of the year. For many of us now this is our main go-to “device,” continuityOS.
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