Bye iTunes; hello more productive apps

Dubai - Apple unveils slew of software upgrades - plus new all-powerful Mac Pro - at WWDC in California

iTunes is gone. But don't worry; it lives on - in more places.
Apple on Monday unveiled, as widely expected, a major change in the way its users interact in its ecosystem, shelving the iconic software platform in place of other apps that are more user-specific at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California.
Replacing iTunes will be three apps with dedicated purposes: Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV.
And as their names imply, the apps will handle specific categories.
And how will you sync your iPhone with iTunes gone? Pretty simple: After plugging your device into a Mac, it will show up in Finder.
Software updates, as always, were featured throughout the almost two-and-a-half-hour showpiece.
"We've been inspired by millions of developers worldwide," CEO Tim Cook said in his opening remarks. "You make dreams come true in the apps you create, making the world a better place."
iOS 13
Apple's mobile operating system received another huge makeover, with privacy and security front and centre.
iOS 13 is also designed to reduce download file sizes by 50 per cent and updates by 60 per cent. Apps are pegged to launch twice as fast and face unlock will also be 30 per cent quicker.
For the AirPods, Apple's wireless headsets, a feature called Announce Messages was unveiled, in which Siri can read incoming messages to the user, then allowing the person to instantly respond by just speaking.
But probably the most important updates to iOS 13 are the security and privacy features. Apple introduced 'Sign in with Apple': When a site or app asks a user to sign in, instead of that user's e-mail address, iOS 13 will use Face ID and generate a random e-mail address that is secure. The idea behind this is to eliminate any risk of being tracked and submitting personal information.
Apple also announced secure video for HomeKit, which records videos and are safely stored into iCloud.
iPadOS
In a bit of a surprise, Apple unveiled iPadOS, specifically designed for its tablet device. Features include iCloud drive folder sharing, the ability to plug in and read USB drives and memory cards, and import photos from camera directly to certain apps. Desktop-class browsing has also been added to Safari for the iPad.
The Apple Pencil, meanwhile, already with an industry-leading latency of 20ms, was much improved: Its next version will come with 9ms.
Mac Pro
And a special but expected hardware appearance: Apple upped the ante in the desktop wars with the all-new Mac Pro, its latest desktop that it says is the most powerful in the market.
The Mac Pro can house a 28-core Intel Xeon processor and up to 1.5TB of memory. Apple also brought back PCIe expansion back to the Mac on the new machine.
A key component of the Mac Pro is the so-called Afterburner, a hardware accelerator card that can process six billion pixels per second.
The new desktop is aimed at professional users looking for an even more powerful device that caters to professions demanding powerful computing capabilities. Developers who have already signed up include Adobe, Pixar, Unity and Unreal Engine. It starts at $5,999, or roughly Dh22,000.
The Mac Pro's sold-separately, display, the Pro Display XDR, an enhanced version of high dynamic range technology. It starts at $4,999, or approximately Dh18,000.
macOS Catalina
The new version of Apple's desktop system will no longer use iTunes, being replaced by the aforementioned apps.
A key feature on it is Voice Control, allowing a user to issue commands by just speaking. It will also be available on iOS.
A new, more secure way to locate Macs called Find My was also unveiled, which uses a secure Bluetooth beacon released from a lost or stolen Mac that is transmitted to other Apple devices to help identify its location.
watchOS 6
Apple unveiled the latest upcoming version of its operating system for the Apple Watch, which, as expected, was designed to make the wearable more independent from the iPhone.
More Apple apps will also be added, including audio books, voice memos and calculator - which even comes with a tip calculator and bill splitter for those times dining out with friends.
The App Store too will also be included on watchOS 6. Content can be search via dictation or by scribbling, and purchases can even be made directly on the Watch.
In health, a new activity trends feature will be introduced, which compares nine metrics in the past 60 days to 365 days. A new cycle tracker for women was also introduced.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com