Apple prioritizes software fixes before AI features at WWDC
10 reported
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote on Monday began with a focus on fixing existing software issues before unveiling new AI features. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, spent the first part of the presentation listing repairs to core software, including a controversial design overhaul, a search function that barely worked, a file-sharing feature that routinely failed, and a Health app that did not focus enough on half its user base. The company addressed the Liquid Glass design language, which prompted consumer backlash over readability and usability concerns, by introducing a new slider that allows users to dial it back to a fully tinted look. Apple also announced performance improvements, such as iPhone and iPad apps launching 30% faster, new photos appearing up to 70% faster, and files transferring up to 80% faster via AirDrop. The company extended these performance improvements to all models back to the iPhone 11, released in 2019. The keynote then turned to the announcement of an AI-enhanced Siri, which will launch in beta for consumers later this year, but not in the EU or China due to regulatory hurdles.
What’s reported
Apple’s WWDC keynote began with a list of software repairs before announcing new AI features.
Craig Federighi said, “Instead of just introducing a host of new features, we’re also taking the features you already rely on and making them even better.”
Apple addressed the Liquid Glass design language, which caused backlash over readability and usability, by adding a slider that goes to “fully tinted.”
iPhone and iPad apps now launch 30% faster, new photos appear up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster.
Performance improvements extend to all models back to iPhone 11 (released in 2019).
Apple added perimenopause and menopause tracking to the Health app.
iCloud shared photo albums can now accept contributions from Android and Windows users.
The AI-enhanced Siri will launch in beta later this year, but not in the EU or China.
Apple Intelligence will organize web page tabs, analyze web pages, check for updates, and generate custom Safari extensions.
AI can edit photos by removing distracting items or expanding edges, and Spatial Reframing adjusts photo composition after the fact.
Key figures
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering
Shubham Kedia, Apple’s director of human interface design
Sources: TechCrunch
