What to Expect at WWDC 2016

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on Monday, June 13 with a keynote event at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where Apple is expected to show off the latest versions of its iOS, OS X, tvOS, and watchOS operating systems and perhaps debut new features for services like Apple Pay and iCloud.

Ahead of the conference, we’ve compiled all of the rumors that we’ve heard about features that could potentially debut at the event to give MacRumors readers an idea of what to expect.

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iOS 10

Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads has gone largely without design changes since iOS 7, so it’s reasonable to assume iOS 10 may feature some design tweaks to update the look of the OS. A dark mode is one possibility that’s been circulating based on the look of Apple’s WWDC app and site, but there’s no evidence suggesting such a feature will be implemented.

Image via iHelpBR
Information on iOS 10 is limited, but we’ve heard some tantalizing details about the update. Apple is expected to introduce a Siri SDK, allowing Siri to interact with third-party apps in new ways. Developers will be able to build Siri integration into their apps, allowing Siri to access data and perform tasks within apps. Third-party app access has the potential to greatly expand what Siri is capable of and could put the personal assistant on par with more robust solutions like Google Now.

In 2015, rumors indicated Apple was working on an “iCloud Voicemail” service able to allow Siri to answer missed calls and record and transcribe messages for users to read as text at a later time. The service, which could come in iOS 10, is also said to be capable of relaying location information and delivering details on why a user can’t answer a phone call.

Siri may also be improved with new capabilities Apple has made through acquisitions like VocalIQ. VocalIQ is able to retain the semantic context between conversations and recall user preferences. Apple has made other AI-related purchases over the past year that could have been purchased to improve Siri. Perceptio, for example, is a startup designed to allow for the creation of advanced artificial intelligence systems while limiting the amount of data stored in the cloud, functionality that could allow Apple to bridge the gap between its desire to introduce deeper Siri functionality with its unwavering focus on privacy.

iOS 10 is rumored to include a redesigned Music app featuring a more intuitive user interface for Apple Music. It’s said to use a “bolder, yet simpler” design that emphasizes black and white backgrounds and text to put more focus on album art.

Apple is planning to replace the “New” tab in Apple Music with a “Browse” option that includes better organizational tools for discovering new content, and it will also feature a simplified “For You” section. Connect and Beats 1 will remain unchanged, but Apple may remove the Connect tab from the Apple Music interface.

New 3D Touch shortcut previews will be added, sharing features will be emphasized, and there will be more of a focus on song lyrics, making them easier to access within the app.

With the upcoming iPhone 7 Plus expected to gain a dual-lens camera, Apple is building Photos improvements into iOS 10. Apple is expected to reintroduce some abilities that were initially found in iPhoto before it was discontinued and while we don’t know specifics, iPhoto previously had features like EXIF editing and touch-based brushes for adjusting brightness and other parameters on only specific parts of a photo.

A Skitch-like photo editing feature allowing users to draw on and mark up images could also be in the works, mirroring features that are available in the Mail app for marking up PDFs and photos.

Metadata keys added to App Store apps in April suggests Apple is potentially working on a much-desired feature to allow users to hide or delete unwanted stock apps. If such a feature is in the works, it could be included in iOS 10.

Check out our full iOS 10 roundup for more info.

OS X 10.12

OS X didn’t get a major update in 2015, but 2016 may more than make up for it. OS X 10.12 is expected to bring Siri to the Mac for the first time, allowing the personal assistant to be used on Mac devices like it’s used on iOS devices.

Siri will be enabled through an icon in the OS X menu bar, the dock, a user-specified keyboard shortcut, or through a hands-free “Hey Siri” command. In May, we shared an image of the full Siri dock icon, featuring a colorful Siri waveform.

Siri functionality on the Mac is likely to mirror much of the functionality on iOS, with Siri able to conduct searches, open apps, tweak system settings, answer simple queries, play music from iTunes, and more. Siri may also be able to interface with third-party Mac apps through the rumored Siri SDK.

Another key feature of OS X 10.12 may be expanded Continuity features. Apple is working on an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected machine in OS X 10.12.

The feature, which uses Bluetooth LE frameworks, will presumably work similarly to the automatic unlocking feature on the Apple Watch, which allows an unlocked iPhone to bypass the passcode restriction on a connected Apple Watch. In this scenario, an iPhones Touch ID button would be used as a verification method for simpler logins.

The unlocking function could also potentially be tied to the rumor suggesting Apple Pay integration is coming to web browsers. Users could make purchases online using Safari, confirming the Apple Pay payment through an iPhone’s Touch ID when linked to a Mac.

Features rumored for iOS 10, such as Photos improvements and Apple Music tweaks, are also expected to be included in OS X 10.12. An updated version of iTunes that includes a redesigned Apple Music experience with a simpler, more intuitive interface is a possibility, and as for Photos, it could gain some features that were removed during the transition from iPhoto to Photos.

Beyond rumored features, there has been some speculation that Apple could rename OS X to MacOS to better match with iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, but whether or not Apple will actually introduce a change to its long-running Mac naming scheme remains to be seen.

Check out our full OS X 10.12 roundup for more info.

tvOS 2 and watchOS 3

Apple has said new versions of tvOS and watchOS 3 will be introduced at WWDC, but we have not heard any details on what new versions of these operating systems might include.

Drawing from what we expect for iOS 10 and OS X 10.12, the two operating systems could feature Siri improvements and design tweaks to match any design changes coming to iOS 10, but beyond that, we don’t have any insight into what to expect.

We do know that as of June 1, Apple is requiring new Apple Watch apps submitted to the App Store to be native apps, suggesting Apple has plans for deeper native app capabilities. At the very least, a push towards native apps is encouraging because it will result in Apple Watch apps that are able to open more quickly and work more smoothly in watchOS 3.

Services

Apple Pay:
Apple has several new Apple Pay features in the works that would be ideal to debut at the event. Apple is planning to bring Apple Pay to web browsers, allowing Apple Pay users to make Apple Pay purchases in online stores directly through Safari, and rumors suggest the feature will debut at WWDC.

As with standard transactions, payments would be approved on the iPhone through Touch ID. Using the expanded Continuity features allowing an iPhone to connect to a Mac, Apple Pay payments on Mac notebooks and desktop machines may also be verified through Touch ID.

Apple is also working on a person-to-person update for Apple Pay, allowing users to send money to one another much like Square Cash or Venmo. It is not exactly clear how such a feature would work, but there have been “whispers” suggesting Apple may let customers send money to one another through iMessages.

iCloud:
Following its conflict with the FBI, Apple is likely to introduce new security features in iOS 10 and OS X 10.12. One possibility is encrypted iCloud backups, something Apple has been hesitant to implement in the past because it makes the restoring process more difficult.

Rumors have suggested Apple is working on implementing stronger security measures “even it can’t hack” to protect iOS devices. These improvements are likely to be introduced through a mix of hardware and software improvements, and it’s quite possible we’ll see the first of Apple’s security enhancements in iOS 10.

iMessage:
One rumor says Apple is planning to announce iMessage for Android at the event, giving Android users access to one of the iPhone’s best features. It’s not clear how accurate this information is as it comes from a source without a reliable track record.

App Store:
Ahead of WWDC, Apple announced some major changes to the App Store, which we may hear more about at the event itself. Apple opened up app subscriptions to encompass all product categories and introduced a new subscription revenue split. After a customer maintains an in-app subscription for one year, developers will receive 85 percent of profits instead of 70 percent.

Apple is also adding ads to App Store search results for the first time, and going forward, the App Store’s “Featured” section will not display apps that are already installed. Apple is planning to bring back the Categories tab, and a Share sheet option is being added as a 3D Touch Quick action for all apps to make sharing easier. Search will also be improved.

Hardware

Ahead of WWDC there were rumors and speculation suggesting Apple could introduce products like an updated MacBook Pro or a new Thunderbolt Display, but it’s likely neither of these products are going to be ready for a June debut, instead coming later in 2016.

Leading up to WWDC, multiple Apple insiders have said the event will focus on software instead of hardware, and so we are not expecting hardware updates at the event. There’s a possibility Apple could surprise us with an announcement, but if there are plans for a hardware product debut, those plans have been kept under wraps.

Though we’re not expecting any Mac announcements at WWDC, one questionable rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple is planning to introduce both new MacBook Air and new MacBook Pro models in the month of June, shipping the notebooks in August.

This is somewhat unlikely as Apple just bumped the RAM in the 13-inch MacBook Air up to 8GB in April. Previous rumors also indicate Apple may not be planning to introduce further MacBook Air updates, ending development on the machine in favor of the MacBook. As for the MacBook Pro, past information has said it will ship in 4Q 2016, conflicting with Mac Otakara’s rumor of a June debut.

Streaming Details and Release Date

Apple is will offer a live stream of the keynote event through its website and through a dedicated events app on the Apple TV. MacRumors will also provide live coverage, on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Following the conclusion of the keynote, Apple will likely provide iOS 10, OS X 10.12, watchOS 3, and tvOS 2 to developers, giving them time to adapt their apps to take advantage of new features. The operating systems are likely to be released to the public in the fall alongside new hardware.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2016
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Apple Rumored to Announce Apple Pay for Websites at WWDC

Earlier this year, rumors suggested Apple would expand Apple Pay to allow iOS users to make purchases from websites, and now Digital Trends says Apple will indeed introduce such a feature at WWDC.

Starting on Monday, Apple Pay will reportedly be able to be used to make purchases from select partner websites, serving as an alternative to PayPal. As with all Apple Pay transactions, purchases from websites will be confirmed using the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone.

It is not known if the feature will be limited to Safari and only available on iOS devices. We have heard rumors suggesting Apple plans to allow the iPhone to be used to unlock a password-protected Mac using Bluetooth, and if such a feature is implemented, it could also presumably be used to approve web-based purchases on a Mac.

Based on our source’s information, it’s unclear whether you will be able to use Apple Pay on the web from a device that does not have a fingerprint sensor, such as a MacBook or a PC. It’s also unknown whether a specific browser will be required to make purchases with Apple Pay online.

At the current time, Apple Pay can be used to make purchases in brick and mortar stores and in third-party apps that support the service. An expansion of Apple Pay to the Safari browser will alleviate the need for customers to download a store’s app to make a payment with Apple Pay, resulting in a payment service that is simpler to use and more accessible.

Apple Pay could potentially be a major focus at WWDC, with other rumors hinting at Apple Pay support in new countries and person-to-person Apple Pay payments.

Related Roundups: WWDC 2016, Apple Pay
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PlayStation Neo confirmed and 4K-ready, but PS4.5 won’t be at E3 2016

Sony has confirmed that it is working on an upgraded PlayStation 4 console, but that rumours of it appearing at this year’s E3 are wide of the mark.

The PlayStation Neo, as it is codenamed, will be launched by the company in the future, and will have 4K Ultra HD graphics capabilities, but not at the show in Los Angeles next week.

President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Andrew House, told the Financial Times that the new console will “sit alongside and complement the standard PS4,” as expected. It will sell “both [versions] through the life cycle,” he said.

READ: E3 2016: All the launches, games and consoles to expect

The console has also been dubbed the PS4.5 and PS4K in recent months, since some plans were leaked, but it is likely it will adopt an all-new, previously unheard name on release.

There are no indications as yet when that might be.

The PlayStation Neo is being held back until there is “a full range of the best experiences on the new system that we can showcase in the entirety,” as House explained.

READ: PlayStation E3 2016 Press Conference: How to watch it and what to expect for the PS4

He also revealed that all PS4 games will be compatible with the existing PS4 going-forward, but a “large majority” will also have extra features – thought to be higher graphical fidelity – for the Neo.

PC games developers have been doing something similar for years.

Moto Mods: Everything you need to know about the Moto Z’s snap-on accessories

It’s clear from looking at the smartphone industry recently that there’s a growing interest in making our mobile devices more modular. LG launched the G5 with its ‘Friends’ that clip on to the bottom of the phone to add extra features, and Google’s upcoming Project Ara phone lets you swap out and replace up to 6 different modules with various purposes.

Lenovo, even more recently, launched the Moto Z and a big part of that launch was its new Moto Mods. These are a collection of accessories and covers that attach to the back of the phone to add more function, or make the phone look and feel nicer.

Motorola

Moto Mods: What are they and how do they work?

The short answer is: with magnets and “magic”. Each Mod attaches to the back using the a collection of really strong built-in magnets. That means there’s no fiddling around with clumsy hinges or clips on the sides of the phone, and you don’t have to remove the battery. It just sticks on using the magnetic sections of the phone and Mod.

For the purely fashion-based Mods, or backplates, that’s all that’s needed. For the wood, leather and plastic backs, it’s basically just like putting on a rear shell but with them attaching magnetically rather than clipping to the phone, or around the edge, like a regular case or cover.

For the more feature-rich Mods, the key is in the 16 golden contact points on the back. These essentially connect the phone to each of the Mods and transmit data and power between the Mod and the phone. That means your USB port remains free and unused, regardless of which Mod you have applied to the back of the phone.

For some mods you may have to go through a couple of setup pages, but Lenovo promises it only takes a couple of quick taps to get each Mod set up.

Moto Mods: What is there?

Lenovo

Style Shells

The first Mods you’ll likely see and buy are the simple covers, called Style Shells. When you order a Moto Z through Moto Maker you’ll be able to choose which finish you’d like (if you want one at all). You’ll be able to choose between a number of different wood types, as well as different color leather and nylon finishes, and some more colorful plastic ones. Motorola hasn’t listed all the available options, but those will become clear in time. We expect many will match previous Moto X finishes and colors, with a few new ones thrown in for fun.

Lenovo

JBL SoundBoost

Lenovo partnered with JBL to create the SoundBoost Mod, which is essentially a stereo loudspeaker with two three-watt drivers. It amplifies the phone’s sound, and looks to replace portable speakers on your days out. It has a built in 1,000mAh battery to to extend the phone’s battery life, and a kick-stand so that the audio isn’t just firing upwards into the air, or downwards in to whatever surface it’s lying on.

Lenovo

Moto Insta-Share projector

The Moto Insta-Share projector is certainly interesting, but hardly likely to be the most widely adopted of the Mods. It’s essentially a pico projector you attach to the phone which can beam an image or video measuring up to 70-inches diagonally from any angle, onto any surface. The sad part is that it only has 480p resolution, so the bigger you make your projection, the terrible-er it’s going to look. It also has a built in loudspeaker.

Lenovo

Power Packs

Lastly, there are Power Packs, which add a 2,200mAh battery to the phone. With the standard Moto Z, that’s almost doubling the built-in battery’s capacity. There are three different options to confirmed so far, including the offGRID version from Incipio, as well as a Kate Spade model and another by TUMI.

Evan Blass (Twitter)

Future Mods

Right up until launch there were images floating around showing off a Hasselblad-branded camera Mod. This hasn’t been confirmed by Lenovo yet, but we still expect it will eventually make an appearance in the future. It looked as though it covered the built-in camera on the Moto Z, replacing it with a much better one, with manual controls.

Lenovo also mentioned that it’s working with Mophie on a Power Pack, and mentioned they’re also bringing wireless charging to some of them.

Apart from those, it’s really up to developers what they develop. There’s a Moto Mods developer program to encourage hardware and software makers to come up with their own Mods. The sky really is the limit with these. We could see all kinds of stuff, from secondary displays and alternative speaker systems to computer docking solutions. It’s very likely we’ll also see a bunch of third party Style Shells, offering more variations in style and color to the ones being offered by the Moto team.

Tom’s Hardware

One concept on show at the Moto launch was called OneCompute which brings Windows Phone Continuum-like features to Android, turning it in to a desktop computer of sorts. It reminds us a lot of the old Motorola Atrix LapDock system. The Moto Z attaches to the Mod, which is then placed into a cradle and linked to a hub containing various USB, HDMI and power ports which connects to a monitor. The onscreen user interface is similar to regular Android, but not exactly the same. It looks a lot like three home screens on one display, and can be controlled by keyboard and mouse.

Is it worth it?

The modular approach to smartphones isn’t something that’s at all necessary, and in its current state, there’s a lot to work on. The advantage of Lenovo’s Moto Mod system is that the phone works perfectly fine without any mods and it’s still a solid metal unibody phone. The LG G5’s removable portion, on the other hand, feels a little flimsy and has forced the company to compromise on solid design. Likewise, Ara has all these modules on the back that, when removed, leave a grid of empty spaces behind.

Moto’s approach is far less intrusive and, the method of attaching a single Mod is easy and quick. The one downside is that, unlike Ara, you can only have one module attached at a time. You can’t have multiple Mods connected simultaneously.

How to watch the OnePlus 3 launch

OnePlus is going to launch its next smartphone on 14 June, one day after Apple’s huge WWDC conference opens. Rather than host people in a real life actual location though, OnePlus is going to take us on a journey to its virtual headquarters in space. It’s called the Loop, and you can get there by downloading an app. The launch event starts at 17:30 BST, or 12:30PM EST.

For those of you lucky enough to snag a “free” Loop VR headset, you’ll be able to watch it in a 360-degree virtual reality experience. Thankfully, it’s not proprietary VR content, so you’ll also be able to watch if you have another headset. OnePlus hasn’t specified which ones are supported, but you should be just fine with a bog-standard Cardboard compatible set. You can download the OnePlus 3 Launch app for Android from the Play Store.

If you don’t have a VR set, don’t worry, you can still watch the launch through the app. You just won’t get the full immersive VR experience. If you don’t have an Android phone, head over to OnePlus’ launch holding page, and you’ll be able to watch it on the good ol’ fashioned world wide web. From here, you’ll also be able to watch if from your desktop. Presuming you’re using Chrome as a browser, you should be able to navigate around the 360-degree video by clicking and dragging.

READ: OnePlus 3: What’s the story so far?

Once the event has finished, viewers will be able to buy the new OnePlus 3 handset in VR. No invites required. On the day following the event, the manufacturer is hosting pop-up events in London, Berlin, Paris and New York. The latter of which is being attended by the company’s co-founder, Carl Pei.

Rumoured specifications for the OnePlus 3 include a 5.5-inch full HD (1080p) display based on AMOLED technology, a Snapdragon 820 processor and either 4GB or 6GB RAM. We’re also expecting a 3,000mAh battery and a 16MP rear camera, the latter of which was seemingly confirmed in a bunch of photos posted by OnePlus’ co-founder, Pete Lau.

What is Demand Response, and how it can save you money?

Everybody likes to save money, especially when it comes to bills, and being smarter with your energy could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

In the US, a program called Demand Response will help ensure you’re being as energy efficient as possible.

Here’s everything you need to know about Demand Response and how it can save you money on energy bills.

What is Demand Response?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an order in 2011 to encourage the use and implementation of Demand Response in the US.

This can get complicated, but what you need to know is that Demand Response is sort of like a technology-enabled economic rationing system for electric power supply.

To maintain system stability, energy providers use Demand Response to change end user energy consumption to help alleviate the load on the grid – these are known as Demand Response events. There are financial incentives to the end user alongside the technology that is used in Demand Response.

Just imagine the electricity grid as a scale that needs to be regularly balanced. During the summertime, when the air conditioning load soars, generators often can’t keep up with the demand for power. Demand Response doesn’t generate more power to maintain the grid’s balance but instead leverages technologies to reduce consumption on things like as air-conditioners, water heaters, lights, etc.

How can Demand Response save you money?

Demand Response provides an opportunity for you to reduce or shift your electricity usage during peak periods. Demand Response programs are offered by electric system planners, utilities, and operators for balancing supply and demand. Such programs can lower the cost of electricity in wholesale markets and lead to lower retail rates for you.

With energy efficiency, the goal is to lower overall energy use, but with Demand Response, the goal is to lower energy consumption at specific times. Large buildings have been doing this for years but now it coming to individual users. ConEdison in New York City offers a voluntary program that allows it to remotely adjust your air-conditioner thermostats at peak hours, such as during hot days in the summer. In exchange for participating, you get a rebate.

However, you might not like the idea of a utility company controlling your air conditioning, for example. A utility company could alleviate those concerns by allowing you to adjust your thermostat manually.

What companies work with Demand Response?

If you choose not to join your utility’s Demand Response program, or if you choose not to reduce your electricity usage during peak periods, you may end up paying “surge” prices. To avoid all this, invest in smart products that work with Demand Response, or ones that can detect peaks, utilise automatic switching to reduce power, and prevent you from paying surge prices.

There are lots of companies involved in Demand Response throughout the system, from the energy suppliers to the hardware manufacturers, spanning both big businesses and individual consumers. These include companies like Honeywell, Nest, Ecobee, Zen, GridPoint and MelRok.

Manufacturers are investing in all areas. For example, Honeywell bought California-based Akuacom in 2010. Akuacom is a major player in the Demand Response and Smart Grid arena. Since that acquisition, Honeywell has shipped thousands of Demand Response thermostats and other energy efficient smarthome devices throughout the US.

How can I get Demand Response?

Firstly, you’ll need to go to your utility provider and opt into its Demand Response program. This will give you an idea about what hardware you will need in your home.

As mentioned, companies such as Honeywell, Nest and Ecobee all offer smart thermostats that support Demand Response but not all models do. For example, Honeywell’s Lyric Wi-Fi Thermostat currently doesn’t but some of its other Wi-Fi thermostats do so be sure to check.

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Philips camera monitors baby vitals from afar

Sure, junior looks fine sleeping on the baby-cam, but do you know her or his oxygen level, heartbeat and breathing rate, you monster? Of course not (don’t worry, you’re a good parent), because there’s no way of monitoring such things short of hooking the poor tyke up to a pulse oxymeter. At least, until now. Philips has revealed a camera that can detect all those things from afar, without touching the patient. The fruit of the companies contactless monitoring project, it can get a pulse rate, breathing rate and blood oxygen level by detecting changes in skin color that are invisible to the naked eye.

Monitoring breathing and heartbeat (even through walls) isn’t new, but Philips says it knows of no other studies focused on remote blood oxygen monitoring. The results are accurate to within two percent of traditional measuring methods, according to Philips, though it depends on several factors including the patient’s skin color. “For patient populations with specific conditions, managing their care in a less intrusive way is critical in order to avoid unnecessary distress,” says Philips Patient Care CEO Carla Kriwet. So far, the company hasn’t revealed any plans for a product, but calls the results “promising” for the future of contactless monitoring.

Via: CNET

Source: Philips

Glass particles in liquid could lead to hologram displays

Shine a torch through a window and then a glass of water and you’ll notice how the light changes as it passes through these two substances. Researchers at MIT and Harvard have now discovered what happens when you mix regular liquid and glass (which, as all pedants know, is also sort of a liquid) together and stick it on a stove. The team suspended glass particles in a fluid and found that, when warmed up, its ability to scatter light increased a thousand times. That doesn’t mean much right now, but the development has opened a door for research into holographic displays and medical imaging.

As MIT News explains, a blend of solids and liquids in the same suspension could steer light in different directions at the same time. Let’s imagine that you can create a grid of solids and liquids and each one can be heated to a different temperature with an electrode. It’s possible to have one set of electrodes creating a “foreground” image that pushes light straight at you, while others create the illusion of depth with a “background.” There’s also the potential for the technology to be used in photography, replacing diffuser boxes that help create the illusion of natural light. Just, you know, give the folks at MIT a couple of decades to refine the idea before you start demanding a holographic TV for the family room.

Source: MIT News

Uber is letting business travellers book rides in advance

Uber is reportedly allowing a small group of business travelers to schedule rides up to 30 days in advance of when they take ’em. Recode is reporting that the option is being rolled out in Seattle, with San Francisco likely next to get the feature. Rather than actually pre-booking a ride, it’s simply a way of scheduling the app to call for a pickup at a specific time and location. Naturally, that means you can’t avoid surge pricing, so the utility for such a feature is limited to frequent fliers who want one less thing to worry about when they leave the airport.

Source: Recode