The 2021 WWDC keynote has come and gone. Apple announced far more than we could fit in one issue, so we rounded up 20 of the most interesting features in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12 Monterey, and watchOS 8: ten that are long overdue and ten that were unexpected. Meanwhile, Julio Ojeda-Zapata offers detailed looks at iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8. Finally, Glenn Fleishman tells you what to do when you’re alerted that an AirTag is moving with you and explains how Apple has already tweaked its AirTag safety parameters. Notable Mac app releases this week include 1Password 7.8.5; Firefox 89; Pages 11.1, Numbers 11.1, and Keynote 11.1; Simon 5.0; and SoundSource 5.3.3.
At its Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, Apple shared numerous new features that cut across most of its operating systems. But what caught our attention for this article was how many of them caused us to exclaim, “Finally!”
This year’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote was chock full of innovative new features for apps and devices in the Apple ecosystem, far too many to cover at once. Here are our ten favorites.
With iPad OS 15, unveiled Monday at its Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple has enhanced multitasking to be more discoverable and easier to use. iPadOS also gains features found in iOS since last year, including the App Library and Home Screen widgets.
Apple’s watchOS 8 introduces a variety of improvements in health, communication, photos, home automation, and more.
Apple’s new AirTag trackers have provoked considerable interest about their potential for misuse. That’s why your iPhone or iPad can alert you if you’re being tracked by one, with or without your knowledge. We detail exactly when and why.
Watchlist
Restores the capability to delete vaults on 1Password accounts and makes recently deleted items accessible for 1Password accounts. ($64.99 new, free update, 75.2 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Updates the browser with a redesigned and modernized look with a cleaner, easier to use design. (Free, 126 MB, macOS 10.12+)
Adds the capability to link to objects and add links to objects in Numbers and Pages. (Free, various sizes, macOS 10.15+)
Major new release for the server monitoring tool adds support for syncing data between multiple Macs via iCloud. ($99 new, free update, 17.1 MB, macOS 10.12+)
Corrects how the audio control utility handles AirPlay devices and enhances support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. ($39 new, free update, 26 MB, macOS 10.13+)
