“Apple’s World Wide Developer conference is supposed to be a place for, you guessed it, developers to hear about the latest developments in Apple’s software and hardware,” Ian Morris writes for Forbes. “In previous years, it’s been about releasing new devices, and that has turned it into a bit of a media circus. Not this year though, because Apple didn’t announce any new hardware at all. There was no iWatch, no new iPhone and no improvements to the iPad.”
“Apple just spoke about two new things. The new version of MacOS and iOS8, the latest iteration of its mobile operating system. On the surface, this sounds a bit disappointing, but in reality Apple has done more to change mobile and desktop computing than anyone else has for some time,” Morris writes. “Most exciting of all though, was Apple’s iOS8. To look at, you wouldn’t think that would be the case. Visually, it’s just a tweak to iOS7, but under the hood things start to get more interesting. Extensions were the first thing that blew my mind. Now iOS apps are able to communicate with each other, and one can give or take data from another. This might sound like a small thing, but with Apple’s eye for security in place, it allows apps to work together in ways they never could have before… This is a significant improvement over current iOS devices, and there is no similar feature on Android either.”
“Apple also opened up its fingerprint scanner via a new API. This means that you’ll be able to authorise app purchases via fingerprint. Rightly, Apple doesn’t allow any of that secure information off the device, it’s all kept locked away, but this is a great, secure way to pay. Fingerprints are not perfect security of course, but they do bring together conveniences and a reasonable level of protection, which is what the public wants.,” Morris writes. “In total, Apple says there are now 4000 new APIs for developers to use in iOS8… What the firm did at this WWDC was make it clear that Android’s reputation for flexibility is being challenged, and Apple thinks it can avoid the problems with malware and viruses that have been something of an issue for Android. This is the first WWDC where I think Apple has got everything right.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dominick P.” for the heads up.]
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Give it a week and Google will up the ante. This said great steps forward for Apple and that cannot be overlooked.
If by up the ante, you mean buggy half thought out knockoffs, then yes, I suppose they will.
Google also does some buggy half-thought-out things first.
Apple generally does not worry about being first, it aims to make things work the best. Sometimes it manages both.
Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz… Hummmm… Buzzzzzz…
Know what that is? The sound of Samsung photocopiers hard at work! (okay, so I can’t make photocopier sounds but you get the idea)
‘The next big thing is already here’, right Samsung?!?
Problem is some things just can’t be copied as Samsung’s music store just found out.
Didn’t you know Samsung already announced a health platform… to be launched at some obscure time in the future as long as the developers write it for them, but hey they have the name already decided and it even sounds a bit like siri. I’m sure they will now have plenty of ideas to copy while claiming they were first all along. The way of tech eh.
Yea like a Barge or a new way to be annoying in public. Glassholes! 😊
Google should focus on getting a 64 bit OS ready first.
Gaagle is probably busy coming up with a 129 bit OS.
Google should just focus on search and don’t bother doing anything else.
Apple is way out of their league!
Lol… Go Apple!
Well that will take them 10 years for a start.
By Up the Ante, you mean now Android will have even more hardware that is NOT up on the latest droid version and thus even more droid hardware susceptible to viruses than were noted in the WWDC Keynote graphics?
How can you have a viable ‘ecosystem’ when only 14% of Win PC’s are on Win8 vs 51% of Macs are on Mavericks and iDevices are on virtually 90% of installed devices versus 9% for Droids? How can developers make money with the fragged droid marketplace?
Apple has given developers even MORE reasons to develop for Apple devices.
Google may copy things within a week. It’ll take forever for Samsung and others to implement the newest version of Android… so you won’t have anything! And if you do, it’s the crappy not working version of Samsung it is.
If you think it will take google only a week to ‘up the anti’ as you put it then you’re on crack.
Apple has been working on all this for nearly 3 years while google plays around on barges and ideas that will t create value or have no commercial viability what so ever.
the thermonuclear bomb just exploded!
And the fallout will pollute Google’s cornfields for a good long while. The half-life of Strontium-90 is 28.8 years.
Meanwhile, the half-life of Micro-nium is….what were we talking about?
Even if Google could match iOS8 in Android, no one will be using it with their terrible update rate.
my god, I can’t believe the myopia.
ZZZZ.
I already knew you were asleep, but thanks for the update.
How’s that Tizen infrastructure working out?
Thought so.
You put us all to sleep with your repeated comments that no one cares about.
the update is deceptively huge.
Google will have a hard time copying these options especially since there is so much integrating cross platform and they have weak hardware to work with, no reasonable fingerprint scanner, etc
The vast richness of today’s offerings was stunning. iOS is really flexing its muscles and Yosemite is a nice polishing to a good OS. It’s obvious, though, that iOS is getting 90% of the dev time at Apple, as it should. iOS originally came off as a subset of OS X. It’s now growing into a bigger, stronger version of its older sibling. Swift looks a like phenomenal improvement for developers. It borrows a lot from other languages, such as Python, but from what I’ve heard, it really looks to have cherry picked the best attributes of the most popular IDEs.
I think now, more than before today, that we are going to see a very interesting update to TV this Fall. They uttered not a single word about it today. But with the changes in iOS, the Metal api, and the game demos on a 4K display at Moscone, I think it is clear that Apple is in a position to pack a lot of new capabilities into that little black box.
PS- A decade ago Jobs famously stated, “Microsoft doesn’t need to fail for Apple to succeed.” I think it’s time adopt that attitude with Google. Let them provide fleets of internet providing satellites and cars that drive themselves (ahem…if you teach the route first), while Apple provides a cohesive and secure method to exploit the digital world of commerce and convenience.
Wisest thing I’ve seen in a thead all day.
however, the difference was could kick their asses with Jobs at the helm. Unlike the current Froot Loop CEO
A comment unworthy of you. In fact, Tim Cook and Apple are still kicking their asses.
As did Microsoft for so long.
what a saddist and pessimist you are…..Sicko
well I guess that’s an improvement from being accused of executing Joan Of Arc.
When you add your rabid homophobia to your knee-jerk anti-Obama partisanship and your frequent off-topic, immature and small-minded commentary, your participation on this website is on the whole decidedly a negative for those of us who come here expecting intelligent discussion of Apple/Mac-related issues.
Simply stated — could you please STFU for a day, a week, a month? Please?
Being anti-Obama is common sense. If you are still on the zero wagon, you are pretty damn slow.
It doesn’t matter if it’s common sense, George. This really isn’t the place to go on and on and on and on and on and on and on ….. about it.
homeemesis, thank you.
Thanks once again, for the homophobic remark.
Haha he looks deeply scared to me otherwise it wouldn’t be so at the forefront of his mind all the time… what there is of it of course.
homoemetic.
If Microsoft should ever be worried about the competition from Apple, it’s now. The potential of iOS and it’s integration with the desktop, makes for one incredibly powerful enterprise tool.
With its seamless integration between the desktop and portable environments, iCloud finally done right, and the ability for apps and applications to work together at a much higher level, I see nothing from the competition that comes anywhere near this level of integration.
How could Android possibly hope to compete when only, what was it, 13% of its users are running the latest version?
Apple just turned the whole industry on its ear. Go Apple!
@macxperts, the snapshot I saw indicated that the fraction of Android users with the most recent version was 9%
That’s pathetic. They can produce a perfect carbon copy of Apple’s ecosystem, but what good is it if it can’t run on your device?
Same goes with Windows. A lot of Windows users don’t want to run Windows 8 because it’s a terrible OS and about as user friendly as a pit bull on steroids. Good luck with trying to integrate Android with Windows and/or Linux.
If I were a developer, I wouldn’t waste my time or talent trying to come up with something to compete with what Apple has done.
With Apple’s control over the software and the hardware, the competition doesn’t have a viable solution, let alone anything as elegant as what Apple can offer.
Apple really hit it out of the park today. They’ve proved it’s far more than just hardware.
Most of the things Apple added to iOS have been available on Android for quite some time. The biggest thing in my opinion is healthbook. Absolutely fantastic.
The difficult thing is seeing how Apple spells things out so nicely and seemingly obvious that the competition just copies it outright. There would be no health framework implemented like Apple has done without them creating it first. It’s only a matter of time before Android has a carbon copy of it ready for Android.
Extensions and third-party keyboards together give a startling window into future flexibility. Apple is clearly opening up to third-party modifications to UI and software interplay. Today, we get third-party keyboards and third-party apps in the share sheet; the next, we get launchers running over Apple’s classic home screen and the ability to set third-party apps as default.
“This is the first WWDC where I think Apple has got everything right.”
After watching the WWDC on Apple TV and going nuts over the demo, I’d have to agree, Apple definitely git it right. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new OSes.
What about MULTITASKING? When will Apple catch on? Multitasking like in texting AND Surfing web; streaming AND surfing or texting – not the double tap home button to close out apps….that’s not multitasking. What about Swype feature? Apple still has room for improvements 🙂 ijs
Meanwhile, Android has to stop pretending it’s a laptop OS and simplify its user experience. Apple deliberately imposes simplicity and focusing on single tasks on all iOS devices. That’s a great thing.
Now that iOS 8 talks directly back and forth with Macs, you CAN do all the multitasking you like, on your Mac, while focusing on simple, single tasks on your far more simplified iOS devices. Bravo Apple.
I don’t see how multitasking makes it harder to use an android device also Android’s back button has always been a major navigation advantage IOS, simple to use and everybody understands it.
The back button idea I like! No argument there. If I thought of iOS devices as being as powerful as laptops, I could comprehend having more than one app on the screen at a time. But I don’t It’s the antithesis of the iOS concept. Again: Get a laptop if you’re going to step beyond simple to use iOS. That’s what I do!
Swype was on the screen when they said “third party keyboards”. Pay attention.
In previous years, it’s been about releasing new devices
NO. You must be an Apple newbie, Ian Morris who writes for Forbes. Maybe you should research what you’re going to write about. Not kidding!
Apple just spoke about two new things
NO. You didn’t understand the last section of the keynote specific to programming, did you Ian Morris who writes for Forbes. The Swift programming language is a HELL OF A new thing! This is a ‘Developers’ conference. Remember? Sheesh.
What the firm did at this WWDC was make it clear that Android’s reputation for flexibility is being challenged…
It’s WHAT? ‘Flexibility’ of huh? Do you mean the almost total lack of vetting of Android applications whereby Android now suffers from 99% of all mobile device malware? If that’s ‘flexibility’, Android can keep it.
…and Apple thinks it can avoid the problems with malware and viruses that have been something of an issue for Android.
Apple has been avoiding the problem of malware for the entire history of iOS. The only working malware for iOS is specific to jailbroken iOS devices.
BTW: All ‘viruses’ are malware. There is no need to be redundant.
This is the first WWDC where I think Apple has got everything right.
I wish you would do the same, Ian Morris who writes for Forbes. It’s super great to have a positive review of Apple’s WWDC keynote. But riddling it with wrong information is NOT welcome. Research, research, research. Don’t write anything until you’ve done your research. Please. Spare us.
“Now iOS apps are able to communicate with each other, and one can give or take data from another.”
I don’t know. Sounds too much like the origin of Skynet to me.
Good lawd. Spontaneous self-generating artificial intelligence! Apple has doomed us all. 😉
Somebody had to do it;)
Better Apple than Google.
If you want to see who’s going to become Skynet it’s Google – Google has bought up robotics and AI companies this year alone.
The Robotics company they bought designs and make military robots.
People should be VERY concerned because Google don’t give a shit about anything.
I see where you’re coming from, but when we’re talking about Skynet, no matter who comes up with it, we all lose (which is an awesome tagline!).
Though the idea of Siri deliberately trying to kill me is a bit chilling.
They could just pull the plug I guess.
Nope. Skynet was self-aware, and connected to all our major computer systems. There’s no way we could do that without sending ourselves back to the Stone Age.
So what’s with the ludicrous heading MDN? Yeah, I’m sure that all these updates are great improvements, but if you think they are a “knockout blow to Android” you have your hand on it. “Knockout blow”suggests it will force Android out of business – off the market – and that just isn’t going to happen any time soon. While we here at the Church of Apple might like to see Android knocked out, this won’t even come close, so a little less breathlessness over the WWDC reveals, (good ‘though they are), might be in order.
.me is correct. There will always be a market for cheap knockoffs. Witness China.
But does this WWDC make it clear that Android is stuck living on the other side of the railroad tracks? Damned right.
The Church of Apple is nothing more than a condescending label invented by self-identified anti-snobs, a label draped over a large number of consumers who spent for premium products instead of bargains, a label that insinuates marketing flummery and style over substance, a scarlet letter of imprudence, a suggestion of hypnotic influence over rationality, an insult to the finest craftsmen’s intimate magic appeal, a denial of their blades’ trueness against the tin swords of pretenders.
English major or what?
I’d opt for “pedantic.”
Dickens, Twain, Victor Hugo. They just don’t seem to resonate with coddled young folks today. I shall instead go off and study hip-hop and rap. I shall return when I have grasped gangsta street vernacular. Then you’ll all pray for deliverance; mark my words!
No, no, no, no, no!!!! Pleeeeeeeeze! Carry on! 😰
LOL – Don’t worry, I was only needling you. 🙂
Uh, hannahjs, I thought I used the C of A in a complimentary way and was unaware it had negative connotations toward Apple. No slur toward Apple and my fellow fans was intended. While I’m not above criticising Apple when it’s warranted, I’ve been a rusted-on Apple buyer and user for over two decades. I guess I go a bit weak-kneed over most Apple stuff and have never taken offence at being labelled an Apple fanboy or similar, ’cause that’s what I am! My beef was with the MDN headline, not the WWDC content.
Nothing against you. I just rushed the ball and instinctively threw it to the cutoff man.
Ok so your’e an Android user. I feel sorry for you.
Come over to the light side where your digital life is intuitive, elegant, private, secure, simple and just works.
http://www.apple.com is the place to start.
Of course Google will up the Ante, but.. if no one uses their latest OS, what difference does it make? 😉
Same goes for Windows 8
I’m trying to figure out how this is a “knockout blow” to Android when it’s iOS that’s seriously slipping in marketshare?! This is just more “Okay, now the iPhone can do that too” a year after Android has already been doing it! Granted the user experience is more esthetically pleasing in some ways and more consistent in many others, but Apple has seriously been lagging behind in most areas for the last 3-4 years!
Apple don’t give a damn about marketshare – haven’t you learnt anything?
What would you prefer – 10% global marketshare with 90% of the profits or 90% marketshare with only 10% of the profits?
So according to you, Apple is just now catching up to Android? Really? In what respect? Be specific. We’ll let you know what’s wrong with your every comment.
So far we understand that you think that Microsoft and Android are the way to go, and that you’re here just to throw unsubstantiated trash at Apple. Tell us exactly how your discombobulated ecosystem and poorly thought out hardware are superior.
This ”knockout blow” is coming from stuff that Android has been offering since its inception. I see people saying that Apple has integrated them better but to be honest the same level of integration has been available on Android for a long time.
As far as IOS is concerned this WWDC was more evolutionary and less innovative. It’s good that Apple is taking leaves out of the Android playbook but I would like to see more innovation from them.
Right now I cannot see myself purchasing an Iphone as IOS doesn’t meet my full needs(I am an Android power user and I need my phone to be as powerful and flexible as possible).
Always get your software ducks in a row before releasing your hardware…just how many new high spec Android devices are dependent, just sitting and waiting on a 64 bit OS from parent Google, while Apple has already hurdled the 64-bit mountain and actually created a new programming language? Ha People just don’t get it just how far behind Apple people really are. Apple just cleared a path thru the forest for the next 10 years.
I hope they mined that path.
There is no knockout blow here, not even a slap on the face. A lot of smoke and noise but nothing more. Most of the new stuff announced are ideas and directions and are not near delivery yet, while others are also already active in those areas. The IOS developments are largely catch up and most blatant copies of Android, so much so, I cannot see how the many commenters here who have recently been accusing all and sundry of copying Apple can show their faces anymore. These incremental changes will make IOS a better OS but are hardly revolutionary. There is a lot of potential in the announcements and that is encouraging, but it’s a long, long way from the promises made of new products being actually delivered all through 2014, and that fact seems to be lost in the smoke and noise.
Health app is already on the Galaxy 5.
Third party keyboard is not Swype. Apple IOS8 is offering “adaptive typing”. That’s not Swype! That’s just like auto-correct-right?
Try listening to the keynote before you dismiss it. Third-party software will be able to use alternate keyboards, not just the new Apple design.
S Health is already on the Galaxy S4.