Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023 was jam-packed with exciting announcements for developers. Announcing a series of major and minor innovations at one of the most anticipated events in the tech industry.
Apple introduces a new Apple Vision Pro device as it ventures into the spatial computing world. New 15‑inch MacBook Air with M2, Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra, and Mac Pro with M2 Ultra. There are now previews of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10. But that’s not all there are more improvements to make your everyday living comfortable, productive, and easy. Watch the video below for a quick tour of the new improvements and read on for more.
Here are 10 new things that were announced at WWDC 2023 for developers
iOS 17
Apple showed off a heap of new functionality coming to iOS 17 during this year’s installment of its annual developer conference. Here are some of the features:
Smarter ‘transformer’ word prediction model: iOS 17 introduces a smarter new ‘transformer’ word prediction model, with sentence-level autocorrection and improvements for the language model used for voice dictation.
New contact cards: As part of iOS 17, Apple has extended the same thinking to contact cards. As well as a bold full-screen image, when a contact calls, you’ll also get a depth-mapped caller name, and the ability to customize both the image and the font size and color.
Live voicemail: iOS 17 looks to take the experience of managing your voicemails even further, with live voicemail displaying a real-time transcript of the message that’s being left.
FaceTime messages: A small addition, but iOS 17 will let you leave FaceTime video messages, should whoever you’re calling be unable to pick up.
New functionality to Messages: iOS 17 looks to be bringing a sizable suit of new functionality to Messages, from search filters and inline replies to more easily navigate your chats, to inline location sharing.
Vision Pro VR headset
An Apple-branded augmented reality/virtual reality has been rumored for years and years, but it’s finally here. The final part of the WWDC keynote was dedicated to the Vision Pro AR headset.
15-inch MacBook Air
Apple announces a new 15-inch MacBook Air at WWDC 2023. The 15‑inch laptop comes with a Liquid Retina display and is powered by the M2 chip, with up to 18 hours of battery life.
New Mac Studio and Mac Pro
Apple also announced the new Mac operating system macOS Sonoma with widgets and game mode. The new Mac Studio comes with M2 Max and the new M2 Ultra, whilst the Mac Pro features M2 Ultra and PCIe expansion.
Journal app
Apple announces a new Journal app at WWDC 2023 that will be coming later this year. The Journal app will make personalized suggestions of moments for you to remember and write about. Using on-device machine learning based on your photos, music, workouts, and more.
These are just some of the exciting new things that were announced at WWDC 2023 for developers. The week-long event will feature other technical sessions, hands-on labs, and networking opportunities for developers from around the world.
Cannon is announcing the PowerShot V10 lightweight and easy-to-use vlogging camera for lifestyle and travel content creators. The all-in-one solution weighs 211g, offers 4K UHD movie recording, a high-quality microphone, built-in stand and 14 unique colour filters. The Canon vlogging camera targets those who want to take friends and followers along on their adventures, without having to carry a lot of equipment.
The PowerShot V10 features a sturdy vertical body design and can fit into a pocket. It promises compelling content thanks to a shake-free 4K UHD movie recording and professional looking background blur. The Canon PowerShot V10 features a large 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of delivering stunning 4K video quality, while also offering stills shooting capabilities. For added cinematic atmosphere, creators can quickly switch up the ambiance using any of the 14 included colour filter effects and Smooth Skin mode.
The Movie Digital IS mode is ideal for handheld videography as it helps with avoiding camera shake, offering sharper, cleaner footage with more detail and clarity. Matching the broad capabilities of various social media platforms, the PowerShot V10 can shoot in both orientations and record up to an hour of continuous video.
Its auto level feature can help keep your video straight and avoid slanted clips, reducing time needed to edit your content. High-quality sound to make your message clear Perfect for any outdoor or urban environment, the PowerShot V10 is equipped with two large stereo microphones designed for narration and a third audio noise reduction microphone.
Canon PowerShot V10 specifications
Compact and lightweight vertical body
Wide angle lens focal length 6.6mm (35mm equivalent focal lengths are 18mm in stills and 19mm in video mode), f/2.8 maximum aperture
Movie recording in 4K UHD at 29.97/25.00 fps and Full HD at 59.94/50.00 fps
Face-tracking AF
Smooth Skin movie shooting mode
Large stereo microphone
Tilt-up screen
Built-in stand (easy tilt adjustment up to 30 degrees)
14 colour filters
JPG still image shooting, equivalent to Scene Intelligent Auto
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Webcam [UVC/UAC]
On top of the built-in wind filter, an optional windshield can be purchased as part of the advanced accessories kit, further improving sound quality in outdoor conditions. Designed to capture all aspects of your life Housed in a vertical body and designed with simplicity in mind, the PowerShot V10 can be operated almost completely single-handedly. Equipped with a 2.0-inch LCD touchscreen which you can flip to the front, perfect for self-vlogging or recording others, it lends itself to handheld shooting, allowing you to easily capture emotions and create that intimacy between you and your viewers.
The built-in stand gives you the option to record more free-standing content like cooking tutorials, hauls or popular formats like ‘Get Ready With Me’, ‘Unboxing’, ‘AMA’ or listicle videos.
Microsoft is partnering with OCP Africa through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO), with the goal of positively impacting smallholder farmers and Agri-stakeholders across Africa by 2025. OCP Africa, an African company that provides fertilizer solutions tailored to local conditions as well as the needs of soils and crops throughout the continent, will collaborate with Microsoft to strengthen and scale its digital agriculture platform. This platform improves farmer productivity while allowing them to better manage their businesses.
“In this time of increasing food insecurity, enhancing the resilience and livelihoods for smallholder farmers is needed to drive increased agriculture productivity, including reducing losses in the food production chain. With the increasing impacts of more frequent extreme weather events, adaptation, and resilience are of crucial importance to the food system’s transformation,” said Wael Elkabbany, General Manager for Microsoft Africa Regional Cluster.
The announcement was made in Doha, Qatar at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The collaboration will enable smallholder farmers to gain access to skilling and information through Agri-digital services, leveraging OCP Africa programs such as the Farmer Hub concept to support millions of farmers. OCP Africa will also collaborate with Microsoft to explore the use of big data, machine learning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build their data and AI platform to improve operational efficiency and better serve ecosystem stakeholders.
On his part, the CEO of OCP Africa Dr. Mohamed Anouar Jamali said: “African agriculture is at a transformational moment in its history – and a time of incredible possibility and promise for farmers and industry alike. Digitizing agricultural practices in Africa allows smallholder farmers to optimize their decision-making, which in turn helps optimize production. The partnership between OCP Africa and Microsoft will allow us to increase the services provided and scale up our digital agriculture platform, expand our reach, and make an even bigger impact on food security across the continent.”
Collaboration with African AgriTech startups, agricultural firms, and partners to increase access to technology, skills, and agricultural knowledge is expected to optimize the industry and generate new revenue streams that will ensure global food security. The adoption and integration of technologies such as the Cloud, AI, Agri Data Platforms, and Azure App modernization into the agricultural space is also expected to deliver transformation in the form of precision agriculture.
“We believe that precision farming, brought about by the adoption of advanced technologies into the agricultural sector, will revolutionize food production and help to eliminate hunger and poverty in Africa. Technology is the key factor in enabling and increasing access to finance, equipment, and sustainability for rural farmers, empowering local farmers in Africa. Our partnership with OCP Africa will help to directly impact smallholder farmers and improve production,” added Elkabbany.
Hisense is at CES 2023 where the company is showcasing its 2023 product lineup featuring ULED TVs, new Laser TVs, smart homes, and more. The global home appliance producer wants to upgrade the viewing experience of customers and give them a new way of living. With a variety of options that enrich their daily activities, delivering premium quality products.
110′ ULED X
Hisense 110 ULED X is a 110-inch screen and 8K resolution smart television. The 110′ ULED X TV is equipped with a Mini LED backlight, peak brightness of up to 2500 nits, and HDR image quality performance. With the active intelligent backlight control and a new, proprietary 8K chipset, viewers can enjoy the finest display experience regardless of the changes in ambiance. In addition to the picture technologies, ULED X also creates cinema-quality sound with a left and right dual theater audio design and 3.1.2 channels of immersive surrounding sound. Besides the ULED X, the U8K, U7K, and U6K series were also on display at CES 2023.
Hisense 8K Laser TV
The 8K Laser TV is a limited-edition product. Integrating a laser TV technology, including a triple-color laser light source, Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X Audio Technology, and IMAX Enhanced certifications. It enhances the viewing experience with a new high-gain ALR screen for increased brightness and a clearer picture, a built-in TV tuner, and premium audio quality and features. The Hisense *K Laser Tv models include the L9H and L5H.
Hisense 8K Laser TV
Smart Home
Hisense has also been evolving its smart home strategy, leveraging its strengths in display technology, home appliances, and operating systems. ConnectLife, as Hisense’s commitment to this strategy, is making the management of everyday tasks easier, more sustainable, and more fun. Also, Hisense VIDAA smart TV operating platform, together with ConnectLife, brings together smart home appliances to create a connected ecosystem that makes managing and monitoring households easily, putting the user at the center of the home experience.
Hisense Future of Cooking Technology is trying to make cooking easier and smarter. For example,the Hisense Smart Combi Steam Oven provides users with many convenient features, such as zone cooking, scan to cook and automatic steam releasing.
Meet the smart multi-plug outlet power extender that has it all, the Huntkey 7-in-1 smart Multi-Plug Outlet Extender SMD407C. The smart outlet extender comes with high-speed charging, safety points, and surge protection plus it is suitable for any occasion.
The Huntkey SMD407C comes with 4 AC outlets, 2 USB A, and 1 USB C charging port. It offers 30W USB C high-speed charging, a cradle ledge to place your phone, and 1080J surge protection. Its 7-point safety system provides you with over-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, surge and short-circuit protection. It also offers fire resistance and grounded protection.
The cradle ledge lets you place the smartphone solidly and stably when the mobile phone data cable is not long enough.
Huntkey, a manufacturer of PC power supplies, power strips, surge protectors, laptop adapters, phone chargers, displays, and air purifiers, created the 7-in-1 smart Multi-Plug Outlet Extender SMD407C. The company realized people want to reduce the time it takes to fully charge their devices and thanks to an increase in technological advancements this is possible.
For example, the latest iPhone 14 series can support up to 27W charging power. The USB-C port on the SMD407C delivers 30W max output. This means it can fast charge your electronic devices from 0 up to 60% in about 30 minutes. Which is 3 times faster than the original 5W charger.
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Subscribe to get updates right in your inbox” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true” success_message=”Success! An email was just sent to confirm your subscription. Please find the email now and click 'Confirm Follow' to start subscribing.”]
I absolutely love the Apple Watch Ultra. It is great and not too big as I was anticipating it to be. One major cool thing I found with the Ultra is the flipped action button. This is how theverge.com describes it; “The Apple Watch action button’s sole purpose is to do your bidding”, and I agree with them. Another interesting quote from theverge.com states: “Other smartwatches let you program hotkeys, but the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra can also trigger custom Shortcuts.”
What is Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra
The Action Button is a programmable physical button that’s exclusive to the Ultra. Unlike the digital crown or side button, it isn’t hard coded to do any one thing. Instead, you can program it to do anything you want.
Apple placed the button on the side of the watch opposite the digital crown, right next to the speaker grille. And it’s designed to be hard to miss: It’s incredibly orange. It’s incredibly orange, an internationally recognized orange, which is used by the aerospace industry to visually distinguish objects from their surroundings. The choice suggests that the button ought to stand out and is meant for adventurous people. If you are an adventurous person like me then, the Ultra is for you.
Who must get the Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at athletes, sports enthusiasts, and adventurous guys that need more battery life and more sport-specific performance from their devices. Built for adventure, exploration, and endurance. It is a bit big though, thus, if your hands are as tiny as mine.
Ultra Specifications
The watch is 49mm, which is 4mm larger than the 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 being sold alongside it. It sports three built-in microphones to improve sound quality, and a beamforming algorithm that captures voice while reducing ambient background sounds even when it’s noisy outdoors. The is an 86-decibel siren available for drawing help if needed, with two SOS patterns.
It lasts for up to 36 hours on a single charge, and with a new low-power setting, battery life can last for up to 60 hours for multi-day adventuring. The battery lasts long enough for users to complete a long-course triathlon that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon.
The Watch Ultra features dual-frequency GPS, integrating both the L1 and L5 frequencies, plus it has new positioning algorithms. It provides the most accurate GPS of any Apple Watch, which means it also offers precise distance, pace, and route data for training and competing. the Apple Watch Ultra can withstand a wider temperature range
For water sports, the Apple Watch Ultra can hold up to kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational scuba diving, activities not recommended for the standard Apple Watch models.
I promise you, you will love the Apple Watch Ultra.
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Subscribe to get updates right in your inbox” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true” success_message=”Success! An email was just sent to confirm your subscription. Please find the email now and click 'Confirm Follow' to start subscribing.”]
