While Apple is set to kick off the WWDC 2020 online event later today, the rumor mill has churned out last minute rumors to hint at what we’d be seeing during the virtual conference. One of the main speculations is about the next version of macOS, which is said to be called “Big Sur”. Rumor has it that the new iOS update, which was recently released as iPhoneOS, is expected to be officially released as iOS 14. You can also expect some new developments related specifically to watchOS and tvOS updates.
A tipster on Weibo claims that Apple is not going to rename iOS to iPhoneOS. This suggests that the new iOS update would debut as iOS 14. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman also mentioned in a tweet that the new iOS update will be called iOS 14 and not the recently released iPhoneOS.
The next-gen iOS version is said to include a redesigned interface that would bring widgets to the home screen and feature an updated app grid. The incoming call interface in the new iOS update will also no longer be forced to full-screen display, according to the tipster. This indicates that users will finally have the option to set a banner alert style for incoming call alerts. The experience would be in line with how you handle incoming calls on an Android 10 phone when your screen is unlocked.
In addition to the new iOS additions, the Weibo tipster mentions that Apple will bring a new iPadOS update with a redesigned Sidecar feature that was introduced last year to allow users to turn their iPad into a second screen for their Mac computers.
Apple would also allow iPad users to receive updated handwriting input through the new iPadOS update. There may be handwriting recognition as an input method throughout the system.
The tipster also says that Mac users will get macOS Big Sur as an update to macOS 10.15 Catalina. Big Sur is the mountainous section of California’s central coast.
The new macOS update also brings a completely redesigned user interface, as well as an updated Safari browser. Gurman in a tweet has presumed that there would be new iCloud Keychain integration, translation support, voice search, improved tabs and a guest mode as some of the new features in Safari.
We already know that macOS is likely to get support for ARM-based Mac machines due to debut next year. A report by MacRumors highlighted that Apple fined a trademark for the term “Apple Rosetta” in Japan. Rosetta was formerly the name of an emulation layer developed by Apple to allow developers to switch from PowerPC to Intel hardware. The company is likely to use the same name for a new emulation system that could allow developers to test their apps in an ARM environment, ahead of the actual release of ARM-based Mac machines.
The Weibo tipster also mentioned that there would be the new watchOS update with new watchfaces and features including sleep monitoring and hand washing. Also, there would be improved iMessage support across all Apple platforms. This can make it difficult to fight messaging apps including WhatsApp.
Apple is also said to bring the new version of tvOS with improved HomeKit integration. Apple TV devices running the latest tvOS are already capable of controlling HomeKit-based smart home devices. However, there currently isn’t a dedicated Home app in tvOS to adjust settings for connected devices. This is unlike iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, which all have a Home app for HomeKit hardware.
In addition to the whistleblower providing the details on Weibo, other sources on the Web, including whistleblower Jon Prosser, have claimed that Apple will not be releasing any new hardware at WWDC 2020. It was previously speculated that the company would unveil its new iMac at the event. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in his note predicted that the redesigned iMac would debut in the third quarter (sometime between July and September).
Apple is likely to take a look at the new iMac during the keynote at WWDC 2020 later today and announce its Q3 shipments. This could be something similar to how the company unveiled its HomePod at WWDC in 2017, but made it available later.
The WWDC 2020 keynote will take place at 10:00 am PDT (10:30 pm IST) today. Stay tuned to Gadgets 360 for live action.
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