WWDC: 25+ new Apple Services features coming this fall
Apple still has news to bring you, this time teasing every Apple One user with a raft of new service features to look forward to once they ship in fall. Some, such as the ability to browse offline maps, we already knew a little about, but others are new.
What Apple said
“Apple’s services enrich millions of users’ lives every day, so we constantly strive to deliver the best experience possible,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services.
“Not only do we want to make services more powerful for users, we also want to make them more fun. And I think the teams have done an incredible job with the lineup of new features we’re delivering this fall, from Collaborative Playlists in Apple Music, to offline maps in Apple Maps, to new experiences in Apple Podcasts.”
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What’s coming to Apple Music?
Apple Music is an increasingly popular Apple service, so millions may be interested to learn what the company intends introducing this year. They include better collaboration, even more fun singing, and a fun way to boost music discovery thanks to Song Credits:
Collaborative Playlists:
Apple Music subscribers can collaborate on playlists with family and friends. Users can invite each other to select and edit tracks, and add emoji reactions to specific songs.
Apple Music Sing
Apple Music Sing gains Continuity Camera support, which means singers can watch themselves on screen as they sing along to their songs.
Song Credits
I’m not at all certain this new feature doesn’t lean into tech Apple acquired when it purchased Primephonic. Song Credits mean music listeners can view comprehensive data about the artists behind music, including their roles and the instruments they played.
Apple Music radio shows on Apple Podcasts
So sensible it took ages to do it, Apple Music subscribers will be able to listen to the entire catalog of commercial-free Apple Music radio shows in Apple Podcasts.
Maps enhancements
We all use Maps (we do, it got way better), and Apple’s focus on improving the service will be maintained in fall.
Explore offline maps with Apple Maps
A feature that’s bound to be popular for travellers preserving expensive data bandwidth by downloading maps at their hotel, users can select an area on their device and download it with just a tap. While offline, users will be able to access turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking, transit, and cycling; see their estimated time of arrival; find places in Maps; and more.
Park trails
Maps is making it easier than ever to discover thousands of trails in parks across the U.S. with place cards that include detailed information like trail length and type, difficulty, and elevation gain.
Share and request locations using Find My with Messages and Maps
Users will be able to share their location — and request someone else’s location — through Find My directly in Messages with the new “Location” option in the Send Menu. From here, users can also easily create a route to someone’s location in Maps.
In your car
In car SharePlay
Apple discussed this feature during its keynote. It means that when users are in a car and listening to Apple Music, other trusted iPhone devices will automatically suggest joining the session. Listeners can control the music from their own devices, even if they don’t have an Apple Music subscription. Don’t argue on the road, people.
EV info
Maps users with electric vehicles will be able to see real-time charging station availability filtered by charging network, plug type, and more, and users with compatible vehicles will be able to designate a preferred charging network.
Keep fit fitter
Apple really seems to invest a great deal in Fitness+. The service seems to reflect a critical set of aims for the company, which seems increasingly dedicated to a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach to health care. What’s new?
Custom Plans in Apple Fitness+
Custom Plans are a new way to receive a custom workout or meditation schedule based on day, duration, workout type, and more.
Queue Fitness+ workouts and meditations with Stacks
Fitness+ is also introducing Stacks, so you can select multiple workouts and meditations to do back to back. These can be saved so they become part of your routine.
Dial in a workout or meditation with Audio Focus on Fitness+
With Audio Focus, Fitness+ subscribers can prioritize the volume of the music to stay energized or the trainers’ voices so they can concentrate on their coaching.
Interesting services integrations
Apple is putting together some interesting integrations across its services, including the introduction of narrated news podcasts. I feel like we should watch this space, particularly as computing becomes more and more spatial.
Enjoy daily crosswords with Puzzles on Apple News
Apple News+ subscribers will get Puzzles, which will include a daily crossword and mini-crossword in partnership with The Puzzle Society.
Listen to audio stories from Apple News+ on Apple Podcasts
Apple News+ subscribers will be offered professionally narrated audio stories from the world’s leading magazines and newspapers in Apple Podcasts.
There’s lots more going on in Podcasts
Podcasts will also gain a new Now Playing design, featuring a sleek, dynamic background that showcases a podcast’s art and provides enhanced controls for managing the queue. It’s also easier to preview, play, or follow podcasts with a new design for episodes, shows, and channels in Up Next.
Listeners will also be able to access new shows and other benefits by connecting eligible subscriptions to top apps on the App Store, including Bloomberg, Calm, The Economist, L’Équipe, Lingokids, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and WELT.
Apple Books brings a treat for bookworms
With Apple Books’ new series pages, users can take a look at all the books available in a series, toggle between ebook and audiobook versions, and purchase/read the next title in the series, among other features.
Apple Cash still seems trapped in the US
Apple Cash seems to be a resolutely North American service, all the same it’s nice that Apple Cash users will be able to set up weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments, making it even easier for parents to pay allowances or for users to pay back friends and family for regularly shared expenses, such as rent payments. Users can also choose to automatically top up their Apple Cash balance when it runs low.
Present an ID to businesses using iPhone and Apple Wallet
Starting this fall, businesses will be able to accept IDs in Apple Wallet — no additional hardware needed. This will streamline their ability to securely check a customer’s age in person for things like alcohol purchases, or to verify a customer’s identity at checkout for car rentals, and more. To seamlessly and securely present their ID in Wallet to an enabled business, users simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the business’s iPhone. Users will be shown what information is being requested and whether the receiving party will be storing the information. Users will then be asked to authenticate and consent by using Face ID or Touch ID.
Share items using AirTag and Find My
Item sharing for AirTag and Find My network accessories will allow device owners to invite up to five other people to a sharing group. Everyone in the group will be able to see the item’s location and will not receive unwanted tracking notifications. Members of the sharing group can also use Find My to get directions to the item and use Precision Finding to help pinpoint a shared AirTag’s location.
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