Jamf Blog
June 6, 2022 by Jesus Vigo

WWDC ’22: Day One Recap

An overview of the new features and technology announced on day one of the 2022 Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), including Jamf’s continued commitment to support the new operating systems, hardware and features when released.

It’s that time of the year again, WWDC 2022 is being held online for everyone that wishes to participate around the world. During this annual event, Apple takes time to focus on developers and solutions providers, providing them a peek behind what Apple’s been working on in the software arena. This not only provides all attendees a glimpse into the future of what Apple has to offer software-wise but also provides developers globally the opportunity to network, attend conferences and workshops and otherwise lay the groundwork for the apps and services they can bring to users of Apple product lines.

On the first day, the keynote speech serves as the official kickoff to the event, as well as a welcome message to attendees. It also provides everyone an initial preview of what’s to come in the next few weeks and months. Often, the keynote serves as the first official look at the latest versions of Apple operating systems for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS.

And 2022’s keynote is no exception, as we summarize the key takeaways in Apple’s release schedule:

  • macOS Ventura
  • iOS/iPadOS 16
  • M2 chip

macOS Ventura

The largest draw to WWDC by developers and users alike is arguably the software-based announcements. Of these announcements, the first of two relates to the preview of the next in the line of the Mac’s operating system, macOS. And as usual, Apple does not disappoint!

Introducing macOS Ventura (or version 13.0 for those keeping tally at home). The latest in the macOS line boasts so many new features, we can’t possibly highlight them all in this blog. We can however highlight key new features that Apple users and Jamf customers will likely embrace as the new “must-have” features we never knew we needed…until now.

  • Mail: Undo send, schedule send, get reminders to follow up on messages and add rich links to messages.
  • Safari: Introducing Passkeys, the password-less sign-in method that enables logins to occur in a safe manner, free from phishing and data leaks, with end-to-end encryption leveraging Touch ID or Face ID.
  • Continuity Camera: Utilize your iPhone’s powerful camera to do things never before possible with the embedded cam on your Mac. Wirelessly focus on a secondary object (with Desk View) or share important resources on one cam while the other cam displays fellow collaborators without having to toggle or compromise between both.
  • Spotlight: New search design makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and quick actions allow users to get more done more in less steps. Efficiency achieved.
  • Messages: Whether you want to edit a message or unsend it all together, messaging is now transformed with additional functionality, including marking them unread to return to it at a later time.
  • Stage Manager: A window management feature that prominently displays the app with focus front and center on-screen – all other apps are arranged on the side. Accessible, but not cluttered, allowing users to work more efficiently between multiple apps.
  • Freeform: Collaboration is everywhere these days and with Apple’s new productivity app, teams working together can bring their ideas to life to brainstorm, inspire, inserts documents and media or simply draw with a friend in real-time.
  • Privacy: Photos in your photo album are private. Apple extends this to items marked hidden and recently deleted photos as well by locking them by default, so they are only accessible by unlocking it with Touch ID/Face ID, or your password.
  • Security: Staying up to date and protecting your Mac against threats with security updates used to occur with new software versions. No longer is this the case, as Mac will now receive important security improvements separately from normal software updates to keep data safe and devices protected.
  • Accessibility: Providing greater functionality to all its users, Apple has added Live Captions to turn audio into text in real-time in conversations and media. Additionally, Voice Control spelling mode has been developed to allow for the dictations of names, address and/or custom spellings of words, letter by letter for greater control when using your voice.

iOS/iPadOS 16

iOS and iPadOS round out the second of the two software offerings that direct developer's and user’s attention to WWDC each year. Again, this year is no different with Apple previewing iOS and iPadOS 16, including loads of new features to not only stun the crowd but add functionality to devices that are used constantly and consistently all day long from work to play – and everything in between.

In addition to some of the features included in macOS Ventura being shared with iOS/iPadOS 16, such as Messages, Mail, Accessibility, Freeform and Safari, iOS and iPadOS 16 have new several new features of their own. Without further ado:

  • Lock Screen: By reimaging the Lock Screen, users can further personalize their devices in all-new ways, such as showcasing favorite photos, customizing text styles and/or display widgets that provide critical information at a glance. Moreover, Notifications have been moved out of the way, now appearing at the bottom of the screen, while access to live event statuses has been made easier using Live Activities to stay on top of what’s happening as it happens.
  • Focus: Streamlining the setup allows users to select the apps and people to allow or silence across various focus types. Furthermore, filters can be configured to help set boundaries in Apple and third-party apps, by hiding distracting content until you’re ready to see them.
  • Dictation: Smarter dictation is possible for not just grammar and punctuation, but yes, emoji’s as well. Greater control has been extended when moving seamlessly between voice and touch to text without needing to interrupt dictation, allowing users to utilize both at the same time.
  • Intelligence: Enhanced control over objects, including pictures, text or videos allows users greater freedom when working with these types of data. This permits interaction that supports copy, paste, look up, translating, searching for or efficient sharing of data within and across various media types.
  • Siri shortcuts: Upon installing apps that support Siri shortcuts, the new shortcuts are enabled and available immediately – no setup required.
  • Maps: Multi-stop routing allows users to add up to fifteen points along their route in advance or in real-time. Also, complete management of transit cards in Wallet are shared with Maps to check balances and replenish your cards without leaving the app.
  • Apple Wallet: Making your digital purchase experiences more secure, Apple provides a method to provide your government-issued ID in-app to verify your ID when necessary. In addition to that, viewing receipts and tracking your Apple Pay orders now occurs directly in Wallet. And finally, share digital keys securely across multiple apps, including retaining control of where and when keys may be used and the ability to revoke them, as well.
  • Home: Redesigned to be more efficient, management of your smart home controls has never been simpler. Furthermore, support for the Matter connectivity standard enables a variety of smart home accessories to work together across platforms.
  • Safety Check: Permits users to reset sharing and access permissions, including restricting Messages and FaceTime if changes to circumstances or trust occur.
  • FaceTime: Handoff is extended, allowing users to freely move from one device to the other, just by bringing them close to each other. Keep the conversation, party or meeting all going without a drop in productivity.

When can I get my hands on the latest macOS, iOS and iPadOS versions?

Today! Well, if you’re a registered Apple developer then you can begin to access the developer release beta today. Anyone wishing to test the latest and greatest, public betas will be made available in July.

The official release date for everyone for all OS’s is scheduled for this Fall.

M2 for Mac

While WWDC tends to focus on software releases and new functionality that help developers deliver new, incredible experiences for end-users, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Apple takes to the stage in an ode to “one more thing…” to announce an outstanding new piece of hardware.

During this year’s event, Apple delighted fans by unveiling the all-new, redesigned MacBook Air, the latest successor in the best-selling line of ultraportable laptops. Continuing to boast the tried and true lightweight, an envelope-thin form factor that the original was known for, this newest iteration is supercharged by the all-new M2 Silicon on Chip (SoC) developed by Apple.

The next-generation M2 chip continues to bring exceptional speed and power efficiency, wrapping it in a durable, all-aluminum 100% recyclable enclosure that is the perfect companion for “work, play, or create just anything – anywhere”, according to Apple.

Available in July, the new MacBook Air now offers several colors to choose from Space Grey, Silver, Midnight and Starlight. Beyond that, Apple has included a 3.5mm headphone jack and twin Thunderbolt ports – while also bringing back the fan-favorite MagSafe 3 charging port. That’s it for the external changes; internally, some of the key performance-based features include:

  • Apple M2 chip (8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine)
  • 13.6” IPS LED-backlit screen with 2560 x 1664 native resolution
  • Up to 18-hour battery life
  • Configurable with Fast-charge capable 67W power adapter
  • USB 4 / USB 3.1 Gen 2
  • Up to 24GB unified memory
  • Up to 2TB SSD
  • Touch ID
  • 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking
  • Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
  • 1080p FaceTime HD camera
  • Four-speaker sound system with three-mic array
  • Supports one external display up to 6K resolution
  • 0.44” inch thin (closed) and weighing just 2.7 pounds

One more thing (part two), a MacBook Pro with M2 was announced as well, including many of the same great new features of its lighter sibling, the MacBook Air.

Ensure your organization is ready to go on day one by partnering with Jamf.

You + Jamf = Supporting the latest features, enabling your users to succeed with Apple!

Photo of Jesus Vigo
Jesus Vigo
Jamf
Jesus Vigo, Sr. Copywriter, Security.
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