Detailed explanation of Apple Developer Conference: What are the stories behind iOS 14? Why launch self-developed chips now?

In the early morning of June 23rd, Beijing time, Apple held the WWDC Developer Conference online. This was the first time that WWDC has been held online since its 31st session. At this conference, Apple released four new systems: iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS, and watchOS. In terms of hardware, Cook also stated at the conference that in the next two years, the Mac product line will be replaced with self-developed chips. So what are the stories behind this conference, and why did Apple launch its self-developed chips at this time?

The core upgrades of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are different?

Apple released iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 at the same time this morning. In fact, the two were originally a set of systems, but as iPadOS became independent from iOS and focused on the tablet ecosystem, we have seen more and more differences in the details of the user experience. For example, the desktop widget function that iOS 14 has updated can integrate widgets into the home screen, allowing users to customize their home screen to a higher degree. At the same time, in order to make it easier for users with a large number of applications to find applications, iOS 14 has launched an application resource library function that can intelligently recommend applications.

However, in iPadOS 14, users found that the widgets of iPadOS cannot be integrated into the main screen, but can only be set in the side area of ​​​​"Today". The application resource library of intelligent recommended applications also did not appear on iPadOS 14. For the core upgrade points, the two systems have produced very different designs.

Apple explained that the iPad screen is larger, the screen area is larger, and there is ample space between apps on each screen, so there is no need to use the App Library function. From this explanation, it can be seen that for different products and categories, all functions are not synchronized in a one-size-fits-all manner, but functions are customized according to the characteristics of different products.

Users in the Chinese market have received great attention in this upgrade

In iOS 14, we also see that Apple has increased its attention to the Chinese market. An obvious example is the support for cycling functions. This time, iOS 14 actually launched map information for two Chinese cities, Beijing and Shanghai. You know, due to different policies in different countries and regions, the promotion of map information often takes longer to pass the review. This time, iOS 14 directly supports Beijing and Shanghai. It is obvious that Apple has begun planning and promoting this matter long before the official release.

Support for map cycling is only one aspect. A new translation app has also been added to iOS 14, and Chinese is one of the languages ​​supported at the first launch. In this app, users can freely switch between Chinese and world languages ​​such as English, Spanish, and French in real time, which facilitates smoother communication when traveling or facing foreign friends. What is even more surprising to domestic users is that this translation app also supports downloading offline Chinese voice packages. Even if you are in a foreign country without a mobile network, you can complete instant translation through offline downloaded content, and the user experience is excellent.

In iPadOS 14, domestic users also enjoyed the treatment of being the first to release. The newly added Scribble smart writing function is also the first to support Chinese writing. For many users who have the habit of taking notes on a daily basis, it greatly improves the input efficiency.

In the experience of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the most obvious feeling is that Chinese users are being paid attention to in all aspects. In the past, it took about a year to wait, but now they can get started as soon as the first release.

Are the sudden addition of desktop applets actually a new experience for Apple?

Digital enthusiasts are not unfamiliar with the newly added desktop widget feature. This feature has appeared on both Windows Phone and Android phones, and the magnet implementation effect of WIndows Phone is also very similar to the desktop widget implementation effect. So why did Apple make a detailed feature similar to other systems after so many years?

The reason Apple gave for this question is that in the few years since the release of Apple Watch, Apple has had a deeper understanding of the way to display content on small screens. At the same time, with the continuous deepening of neural network learning, Apple's Smart Stacking function can recommend different dimensions of functions required by users at different times in the form of desktop widgets. This was not possible for Apple and iOS before.

This intelligent recommendation algorithm is the core reason why Apple promotes desktop widgets, which is also a function that the desktop widgets of Android phones cannot achieve. Therefore, it seems to be a functional supplement that is "lagging behind" other operating systems for many years, but for Apple, it is actually a completely different new application experience.

Are Mini Programs in iOS 14 intended to create an independent new ecosystem?

This time, Apple released App Clips on iOS 14, which should be easier for domestic users to understand. This is an experience similar to a light application. It will pop up on the mobile phone screen in the form of a card in different environments through NFC, Bluetooth and other signals. Users can quickly and conveniently use the corresponding functions without fully opening or downloading the application.

The biggest advantage of such an experience is that users do not need to scan codes, do not need to see splash screen ads when opening the software, and do not need to fill in complicated information authorization. Users’ simplest needs can be completed as quickly as possible.

However, when asked whether App Clips would become an independent new ecosystem like WeChat mini-programs, Apple voiced a negative response.

From Apple's perspective, mini programs will not become an independent ecosystem. This feature will become the entrance to millions of applications in the App Store, making it easier for everyone to find new applications they need.

Why launch self-developed chips this year?

In fact, before WWDC was held, the news that "Apple will release its own chips" had already spread. After the four major system updates at the press conference, Cook announced with great momentum that Apple will use a new chip designed by itself on Mac computers.

Although there were reports that Apple was not satisfied with Intel's chip development progress, the cooperation between the two parties was still very pleasant. In the first half of 2020, Apple also released three different sizes of notebooks in two series, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, all of which were equipped with Intel chips. So why did Apple announce its own chip at this time this year?

For Apple, WWDC is mainly a conference for developers, which points out the development direction for developers in the future. Therefore, although there were no computers equipped with Apple's self-developed chips at WWDC this time, it actually sent a signal to developers: gradually start migrating their software to ARM architecture, so as to provide full support for Mac computers when Apple's self-developed chips completely replace Intel chips in two years.

Apple said that they are actually ready. Through the technology accumulation in the past few years, they are already capable of developing a powerful chip. In the past few years, Apple has been transforming in different business areas. What everyone is more familiar with is that it has invested more energy in services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+ and other services have begun to generate revenue for Apple. Therefore, Apple is determined to transform into a new field again.

Will there be a difference in experience between Macs with Intel and Apple chips in the next two years?

Since it takes two years to completely replace Intel chips with self-developed chips, many consumers are concerned about whether the experience of buying a Mac computer equipped with different chips in these two years will be different. Many users are worried that Apple will stop technical support for Intel chip versions of Mac after fully switching to self-developed chips.

In response to this concern, Apple said that it will continue to support Intel chips in the next few years, including the newly released macOS Big Sur. Apple will support Mac computers equipped with Intel chips through multiple channels and methods. Apple also rarely revealed that several notebooks equipped with Intel chips are already in the planning stage.

Today's updated macOS Big Sur supports all Mac computers from its release in 2013 to today, a time span of seven years. From this perspective, for Intel computers sold in the next two years, a long-term and stable technology update support will definitely be possible.