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Apple introduces macOS Sierra with Siri, Auto Unlock and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

We know OS X is now macOS, and the first major version is macOS Sierra. So what new features does it have? SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi is on stage at Apple's WWDC keynote running through the new additions and improvements in the software, and there are some great ones.

The main focuses for this update are going to be Continuity, iCloud and "the fundamentals of the Mac experience." The first big new feature for the group is Auto Unlock, which allows you to automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch—meaning, if you have your Watch on, you don't need to type in your password.

Auto Unlock will let you get into your Mac without typing a password

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 3, 2018

Apple announced a major new feature for its upcoming macOS Sierra operating system for Macs on Monday at WWDC 2016, which will let you get into your Mac easier than you ever have before.

Dubbed Auto Unlock, it's an extension of the Continuity feature between your mobile devices and your Mac.

Apple rebrands OS X as macOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

That Apple would rebrand OS X as 'MacOS' was one of the worst-kept WWDC secrets ahead of today's keynote, and Apple just made it official. SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi just announced on stage that from here on out, the Mac operating system is going to be called macOS.

tvOS 10 announced with dark mode, Single Sign-On, universal search improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

In addition to iOS 10 and watch OS 3, Apple also unveiled tvOS 10 with an all-new Remote app during the WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Here are some of the things you're going to like in tvOS 10.

Apple announces new Remote app with Siri, game controller and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

You wanted a new Remote app for iOS? You got it. At its WWDC keynote today, Apple introduced a completely rebuilt app for controlling your Apple TV. It has essentially the same features as the physical Siri remote that comes with the fourth generation ATV.

Breathe: Apple’s new Watch app to encourage breathing exercises

Anthony Bouchard ∙ June 13, 2016

Apple on Monday at its WWDC 2016 event announced a new app for Apple Watch that will come pre-installed on watchOS 3 called Breathe, which offers a new perspective on health.

Setting itself apart from the typical fitness aspects of health, Breathe will be oriented around breathing exercises.

watchOS 3 will go live for everyone this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

Apple has taken the wraps off watchOS 3 this morning during the keynote presentation at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. With features designed to advance the experience for Apple Watch owners, watchOS 3 will release this fall, Apple confirmed today. The major new version of the Apple Watch operating system will be released at no charge as an over-the-air update.

Activity Sharing brings social challenges to Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

After demonstrating several new Apple Watch features, Apple VP Kevin Lynch invited Director of Fitness and Health technologies Jay Blahnik to come up on stage and talk about some new fitness features. Perhaps most notable is a new feature in the Activity app called Activity Sharing.

As the name suggests, Activity Sharing brings social challenges to the Apple Watch, allowing users to easily send fitness achievements and stats to friends and family, fostering competition. This is something that has helped Fitbit grow and popularity and is a welcome addition to the Watch.

Apple unveils watchOS 3 with Instant Launch, Control Center, Reminders, Scribble input and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

Aside from a number of other software-related announcements, the WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco also gave us watchOS 3, the third major installment of the wearable operating system that powers the Apple Watch.

As much as watchOS 2 was about optimizing the experience with support for native apps, its successor focuses on improving that experience further with things like Control Center, a Reminders app, instant launch of applications and more.

App Store has surpassed 2 million apps, 130 billion downloads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple's long-awaited WWDC keynote is now in full swing, and as usual, CEO Tim Cook has taken the stage to kick things off. Cook began on a somber note, asking attendees to participate in a moment of silence for the victims of yesterday's tragedy in Orlando, and then got down to business rattling off new stats.

Among the most interesting numbers the executive shared is that the App Store recently surpassed 2 million apps. In the most recent data Apple shared on app numbers, it was still around the 1.5 million mark, so this is a new development for sure. We've got some other interesting numbers for you listed below.

Apple Store DOES NOT go offline ahead of today’s keynote, but Apple Public Beta Program does

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 13, 2016

In what seems to be a first for Apple, the company's online store has remained active ahead of the WWDC 2016 keynote. In all past events, Apple did take the webstore offline a few hours ahead of them. Therefore, either there will be no new hardware introduced during the keynote or the store will go down a bit later, but still ahead of the event.

Here’s another hint that Siri is coming to the Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 13, 2016

Siri is rumored to be coming to the Mac and third-party apps with an official Siri software development kit (SDK). In addition to teasing a dark mode in iOS 10, Siri seems to be also trolling Apple fans worldwide with an unusual reference to OS X Finder when asked to “open settings in the window.”

There are no windows in iOS, of course, so one would expect Siri to respond with an “I don't understand” whereas she in fact says that “It doesn't look like you have an app named 'Finder'”, as first spotted by Brian Roemmele.