Apple to Update Products

Last month, Apple announced six big changes at its annual developers conference. Tim Cook, chief executive, promised to updated each of Apple’s operating systems for the Apple TV, Apple Watch, mobile devices and computers. Here’s what we found out about his major promises.

Apple’s Home Hub is Here

The HomePod, Apple’s smart speaker, is the answer to Google Home and Amazon’s Echo. HomePod will respond to voice commands using Siri and is closely integrated with Apple’s Music services. The speaker will be able to sense the size of the room using acoustics. It will work with Apple services like Messages and HomeKit, its smart home appliance platform. Similar to its competitors, HomePod will provide information on the news, weather, sports and general knowledge; however, Apple said its distinguishing feature is sound quality. The device will cost $349, more expensive than Google’s or Amazon’s smart speakers, and will start shipping in December.

Amazon Comes to Apple TV

A feud between Amazon and Apple kept Amazon’s library off the Apple set-top box, but it appears the two buried the hatchet.

Apple Watch Receives Upgrade

Siri is getting smarter on the Apple Watch with a new watch face using the assistant to set up a feed of your day. The watch face, a mashup between a search engine and your Facebook feed, will show you photos of old memories from previous years and make recommendations. If you’re tracking your exercise, for example, and are close to your daily goals, the watch face will tell you exactly what you have to do to hit your goals. The Apple Watch workout app is also being updated with features that give more automatic measurements and track multiple workouts in a single session. Apple Music will be more integrated with the watch, automatically syncing for playlists. The preview is now available and will roll out this fall.

Apple Gets a New Operating System

The next operating system is called High Sierra, and will be a free update to the current Sierra system. Apple also announced a slew of updates to the Mac lineup as the new desktops now have higher memory capacity and stronger graphics performance. Apple’s notebooks are also being refreshed with the MacBook and MacBook Pro moving to faster processors and faster solid-state hard drives. A new iMac Pro has been announced, which will cost $4,999, and will be available in December — attempting to appeal to more creative professionals and game developers.

iOS 11 Redesigned

Apple is revamping the control center on iOS by enlarging it and spacing out functions. A person-to-person payment feature is being introduced to Apple Pay, where a message will pop up saying you owe money, suggesting you to tap into Apple Pay. Siri will no longer speak so robotic, and will use machine learning to suggest apps you may want to use. Maps will begin including indoor maps like shopping malls, display the speed limit of the road and let you know what lane you should be in. Using Bluetooth and WiFi, Maps will track when you’re moving in a car and give you the option to turn on a do not disturb mode while driving. Those who send you a message will see an automatic reply that you’re driving and will respond later. If they reply urgent to the message it will be marked as such and go through.