Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Rolls Out Updates To iPhone iOS, iMac Pro

Rolls Out Updates To iPhone iOS, iMac Pro

APPLE announced an update to the iOS operating system for its iPHONES and iPADS as well as the operating system for its APPLE WATCH and MAC computers at today's WORLDWIDE DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE in SAN JOSE, CA. The company also introduced a new iMAC PRO, as well as upgraded iMACS and MACBOOKS.

The most notable debut was a brand-new iMAC PRO that will support up to 18 core processors and include a graphic chipset called RADEON VEGA, an "all-in-one desktop on steroids," to replace the MAC PRO, which was widely criticized by critics and consumers.  

“It’s going to be the most powerful MAC we’ve ever made,” said APPLE VP/Hardware Engineering JOHN TEMUS. 

The iMAC PRO will start at $5,000 and ship in DECEMBER, geared to professional filmmakers and hardcore coders rather than the consumer-oriented products like the iPHONE the company has concentrated on more recently, 

The company also announced upgrades for its 27-inch and 21.5-inch iMACS, its desktop computers, which will start at $1,099, with additional models at $1,299 and $1,799. APPLE lowered some prices for its MACS and said that the MACBOOK AIR, its entry-level lightweight laptop, would get a speed increase. The 21.5-inch model with 4K high resolution will start at about $1,300, with a new 13-inch MACBOOK PRO starting at $1,300.

The most important update was to iOS, the operating system that underpins APPLE’s iPHONES and iPADS. iOS 11 features improved camera software, upgrades for SIRI and expansion of APPLE PAY. The company also announced improvements to MESSAGES, including making apps easier to find and allowing individuals to send payments to each other using APPLE PAY.

With the APPLE WATCH operating system, the company demonstrated changes including a new SIRI watchface that uses the voice assistant to suggest directions, show calendar items and generally predict what you will want to see. The most substantive changes to APPLE WATCH focused on fitness, including the ability to track new types of high-intensity workouts.

APPLE also unveiled a new operating system for its MAC computers, called HIGH SIERRA. The company made privacy a key selling point with this and said the next version of its SAFARI web browser would block videos that automatically start playing and stop advertising trackers. While users are likely to welcome those changes, it is another blow to web publishers, who rely on ads that APPLE will now block. 

APPLE has also announced a competitor for AMAZON's ECHO, GOOGLE's ALEXA and SONOS, a standalone SIRI HOMEPOD speaker that will enable consumers to voice access their favorite radio stations.

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