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Coronavirus outbreak was on display at Apple WWDC 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has changed the way we live our lives almost completely. COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the way we do things, work, and social life. However, it also had an impact on several of Apple’s product announcements at WWDC 2020. The event was online, so the effect of the current world situation was felt straight up from the beginning. Plus, the stream was also prerecorded. Even during the presentation, you could feel the pandemic’s presence.

A few announcements in the presentation seem to be a response toward the pandemic. But on the other hand, we have the bicycle directions for Maps that seems to have been in development prior to the outbreak. Or, maybe Apple is just releasing it at a time they’re needed most. 

One thing that the company did change in response to the pandemic is the Face ID feature. When iOS 13.5 was released in May, developers ensured that users could unlock their smartphones even while wearing a face mask. Plus, the update also included support for Apple’s and Google’s contact-tracing API.

Looking at the WWDC presentation, we can see the ways the pandemic was on display. Therefore, below are a few features that Apple has come up with to help us through the current situation:

Apple Watch hand washing feature

The first change that took the spotlight is the Apple Watch hand washing feature. The reason why Apple came up with this feature is just obvious. What it does is that it encourages people to wash their hands properly. However, compared to the already existing feature in the Samsung and Wear OS smartwatches, Apple’s feature can detect when you’re washing your hands by default, which is a bold claim. 

How does it work? It analyzes your hand motion using machine learning and confirms the sound of running water via listening. The feature will display a countdown timer by which the user can check how long they need to wash their hands. It will also alert you when the countdown is over. Plus, if you try to stop the timer, it will encourage you to carry on.

Memoji face masks

People are required to wear face masks in order to prevent the spread of the contagious virus. This effective way is reducing COVID-19 transmission. Slowly, things are going back to normal; however, people are still required to follow the protective measures. Wearing protective masks is a requirement for many businesses and traveling via flights in the US.

Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Apple introduced Memojis wearing face masks. Users can customize the color of the medical face masks as well. 

“Customize your Memoji with a new face covering, including the color, to match your look,” says Apple in the release notes for iOS 14.

Maps cycling directions

Apple finally introduced Cycling directions in Maps. Now, it is kind of obvious that this is not a last-minute job in response to the pandemic. Cycling is becoming a more engaging activity lately. However, the coincidence is well received by the public. You can see why since the social distancing rules are difficult to maintain on public transport. Therefore, cycling has become the best option for most people. Besides, this option of getting around is healthier and environmentally friendly. You can really see the importance of this activity by the time Apple spent presenting it.

iOS 14 will bring the Cycling Directions features for the following cities: 

  • New York City, 
  • Los Angeles, 
  • San Francisco, 
  • Shanghai, 
  • Beijing. 

Maps app will provide the users with several route options, from faster routes and less busy. Plus, it will also offer advice to times when you might be better off walking your bike up and down some stairs instead of wasting your time going around. 

App Clips 

The next software update will also bring another way to avoid public transport more efficiently. They are called micromobility sharing services. Renting e-scooters will become an easy-peasy job. What is App Clip?

“An App Clip is a small part of an app that’s discoverable at the moment you need it and is focused on a specific task. App Clips are small by design so they’re usable in just a few seconds. They’re not installed like apps, so when you’re done using them, they just go away,” according to Apple’s preview. 

Plus, this feature is also allowing the user to unlock and rent an e-scooter. In fact, Apple did intend it for this specific reason and made that clear during the presentation. This feature will make social distancing a lot easier when it comes to paying for parking to ordering coffee in a shop. The user won’t have to interact closely with other humans to do all that. 

Regardless of the virus outbreak situation, the release of this iOS 14 feature is also a response to Google’s Instant Apps for Android users. We could say although App Clips was created for a different purpose, it can also be used in our post-coronavirus lives. Coffee shops like Starbucks and others are turning to mobile ordering systems.

 Messages and Facetime updates

Since the lockdown situation and social distancing, messaging and video communications apps have become more important than ever. In order to stay close to our friends and family while preventing the spread of the virus, the internet has become the best way to socialize. This applies to business as well. Most companies responded to the need of people, such as WhatsApp and Google Duo. Both apps increased the maximum number of participants you can have in a call. Google Meet video conferencing is now free of charge service, and Zoom has become a household name.

Therefore Apple is improving its own services to meet people’s needs during the pandemic. More effective communication tools are pretty much welcomed with opened arms nowadays. Let’s start with the updates for Messages. The app will get more satisfying support for group chats in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur. Users will be able to respond to specific messages in a chat and call people out by name, features that are essential in big group chats. FaceTime calls will become a more handy tool with the new picture-in-picture options. This option allows the user to multitask during calls. For example, if you swipe up to go to your home screen during a call, the call will simply minimize. This way, you can open another app without interrupting the call.  

Conclusion

Compared to the previous WWDC events, this year’s conference was held online only. Apple, like other companies, was forced to reinvent its approach due to the coronavirus outbreak. At least the event was not canceled for good as other companies had to do. WWDC 2020 was presented by different people describing and demonstrating the Apple software across various locations.

The company made clear the importance of respecting the protective measures given by the government. At the end of the conference, the team gave details about its commitment to health and safety during filming. For example, all staff was wearing medical face masks except for the person presenting the event. Social distancing measures were also respected via isolation from one another. Especially when it came to presenters. 

Overall, the presentation was spotless and smooth. Apple did a great job of it. The lack of a live audience did not leave such a huge mark on the whole deal. 

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