WWDC 2014

iOS 8 is compatible with iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or later

Apple has posted a list of devices that will be compatible with the iOS 8 software update on its website. The devices include the iPhone 4S or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or later and the fifth-generation iPod touch. This means that the iPhone 4 is the only iOS 7 compatible device that will not make the jump to iOS 8. Hit the break to see a full list of compatible devices… 

Apple adds iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite pages to its website

Just minutes following the WWDC keynote, in which Apple announced iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, the company has added official pages for the new software versions to its website. The iOS 8 page provides a rundown of all the new features that will be available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, ranging from QuickType and Family Sharing to Continuity and Health… 

iOS 8 adds always-on ‘Hey, Siri’ feature, Shazam integration

Adding to the long list of new features in iOS 8 is a handful of Siri improvements. The digital assistant didn't get a ton of stage time, but iOS/OS X chief Craig Federighi did take a moment to run down some of its new capabilities.

In iOS 8, Siri will be able to handle dictation—where you talk, it types—in 22 new languages (not sure which ones yet, but will obviously be available on Apple.com soon), and will feature Shazam ID technology for identifying songs...

Apple adds new iOS/OS X programming language: Swift

Swift, a programming language for distributed parallel scripting (if you're a developer, you know what I'm talking about), can now be used to develop apps for both iOS and OS X, Apple announced during today's keynote at its five-day WWDC developer-only show in San Francisco.

Matter of fact, Swift code can co-exist with Objective-C, which has long been the preferred programming language for iOS development. Jump past the fold for the full breakdown...

iOS 8 launches in Fall, beta release available today

Apple announced that iOS 8 will be available today as a beta for registered developers, while a full public release is slated for the Fall. The beta is available now through Developer Center for registered iOS developers. The software update will be free for compatible devices, which is the iPhone 4S or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or later and fifth-generation iPod touch. In order to have access to the beta version, you must be signed up for Apple's iOS Developer Program… 

Apple introduces ‘HomeKit’ smart home platform

As expected, Apple has announced a new platform for smart home accessories called HomeKit. The new API, which will launch with iOS 8, will make it easier for smart accessories to allow their devices to be controlled by iPhones, as well as Siri.

This will allow users to control HomeKit-certified smart appliances, such as garage doors, lights and security cameras, by simply speaking a command. Imagine saying 'get ready for bed,' and watching all of your [smart] doors lock and lights turn off...

Apple opens up Touch ID to developers

Apple has announced that it is opening up its Touch ID fingerprint sensor to third-party developers. Reportedly years in the making, the all-new Touch ID API is available to registered iOS developers, making it easy to integrate Apple's seamless fingerprint reading functionality into their apps without compromising Touch ID's strong security...

iOS 8 brings widgets to Notification Center

Moving along with Apple's iOS 8 portion of its WWDC keynote, Craig Federighi just introduced widgets. Like the stock widgets we've seen before, iOS 8's widgets will appear in the Notification Center and offer quick information for apps at a glance...

Apple announces all-new SDK for developers

Apple chief executive Tim Cook was on stage at the WWDC keynote today to announce a brand new SDK, or software development kit, for iOS developers. Cook described the new SDK as the biggest release since the launch of the App Store. It contains several new features for iOS that developers can take advantage of, including 4000 new APIs and an app communication framework called Extensibility… 

Apple announces much improved App Store with app bundles/previews, better search and more

In addition to all the goodies outlined earlier, Apple during the WWDC 2014 keynote running at San Francisco's Moscone West has announced a much announced App Store with the new Explore tab, Trending searches, making search faster with continuously scrolling search, the new Editor's Choice label for highlighted apps, app previews with short videos right inside the App Store, app bundles and more...

Apple introduces Family Sharing in iOS 8

Apple has faced a lot of criticism over the years with regards to parental controls on the App Store, especially because of headlines of children racking up thousands of dollars on in-app purchases.

Aiming to eliminate that problem for good, the company has introduced a new feature in iOS 8 called Family Sharing. Apple already has a similar feature in Home Sharing, but Family Sharing takes this feature to a whole new level… 

Apple unveils new ‘Health’ app for iOS 8

As several reports predicted, Apple is getting into the Healthcare industry with iOS 8 by introducing a new app called 'Health.' Health provides an easy-to-access hub where iPhone owners can store and monitor important fitness and health-related metrics.

As explained by Craig Federighi, this is a huge improvement over the current situation, where this kind of information is spread across multiple apps and services. And of course, Apple also introduced HealthKit for developers, which means 3rd-party integration...