Apple roasted over ‘cheese grater’ product

Apple has previewed a dramatic new look for its bedrock product, the iPhone, and previewed upcoming changes to the company’s computer software, including iTunes.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook kicked off a keynote address at the tech giant’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in California on Monday.

He said Apple’s new iOS 13 software will feature a Dark Mode, with new ways to browse and edit photos, sign in to apps and websites, and navigate the world with an all-new map.

As part of the new operating system, the company is introducing “Sign in with Apple” to let users sign into apps without using similar sign-in services from Facebook and Google. The sign in will let you hide your actual email address if you choose. It’s also making it easier to only show your location to apps once and not continually.

Apple amazed the WWDC when it unveiled its new $6000 desktop computer design, featuring a boxy exterior and 28-core Intel Xeon processor and an Afterburner movie-editing graphics card.

But the tech giant is being roasted online over the design of the new desktop computer, which people are saying looks like a “cheese grater”. The design is actually inspired by an earlier incarnation of the Mac Pro that had a boxlike shape and featured sleek silver handles and matching feet. The mesh “grater” pattern features on the front and bank.

Online, users couldn’t help but notice the resemblance of the shiny new computer to the household kitchen item.

Love the new Mac Pro design pic.twitter.com/0jg6CBU8oH

— Harm Hölting (@HarmHoelting) June 3, 2019

Ok is it me or does this look like a cheese ? grater? #macpro #wwdc19 pic.twitter.com/e3It9eW3V8

— Vane Hand Orellana (@VaneHand) June 3, 2019

Everyone say hi to iGrater #WWDC2019 pic.twitter.com/lCVL8Z4TBy

— unōrsk (@un0rsk) June 3, 2019

Now that you’ve seen the little alien faces on the new Mac Pro you’ll never be able to unsee them #wwdc19 pic.twitter.com/EsjNVjQzWA

— Rich DeMuro (@richdemuro) June 3, 2019

Ya'll say the Mac Pro is a cheese grater, but I'm gonna use mine to get beach ready feet. #WWDC19 pic.twitter.com/vuYkmjlD50

— ??? (@shehasnophile) June 3, 2019

The biggest remake of a single app is a makeover of Apple Maps, which will debut later this year. It includes more granular street and place data that Apple says it collected with street and aerial footage — tactics its largest mobile app rival Google has been using for years.

New features include messages that can automatically share a user’s name and photo, or customised Memoji or Animoji, to easily identify who is in the Messages thread. And Siri will have a “more natural voice”.

Mr Cook began his keynote by recapping services Apple announced earlier this spring, including a news reading service and an arcade service for mobile games. He also previewed one of the original shows Apple is producing for its new videostreaming service, “For All Mankind,” set in an alternate history where the Soviets were first to land a man on the moon.

The software showcase is an annual rite. This year, however, Apple is grappling with its biggest challenge since its visionary co-founder, Steve Jobs, died nearly eight years ago.

Although still popular, the iPhone is no longer reliably driving Apple’s profits the way it has for the past decade. Sales have fallen sharply for the past two quarters, and could suffer another blow if China’s government targets the iPhone in retaliation for the trade war being waged by President Donald Trump. Apple emphasised its privacy protections during the keynote — following along with Facebook, Google and other major tech companies’ scripts this year.

Another potential problem looms for Apple. Regulatory complaints and a consumer lawsuit both question whether Apple has been abusing the power of its iPhone app store to thwart competition and gouge smaller technology companies that rely on it to attract users and sell their services.

Apple executives also claimed that iOS 13 will open apps faster and features a new version of the Face ID system will unlock your phone 30 per cent faster.

Apple is trying to adapt by squeezing money from digital services tailored for the more than 900 million iPhones currently in use.
 

APPLE KILLS OFF ITUNES AFTER 18 YEARS

Apple confirmed it will replace the iTunes service in its current form, as it splits the software across three apps.

The technology giant said the next versions of its macOS operating system which powers the firm’s computers will replace the iTunes app with Music, TV and Podcasts.

The three dedicated apps will each handle their own media, from finding and playing content to purchasing it and saving it to a library where applicable. iTunes was introduced as a media player in 2001, before a built-in music store was added, and it was used as part of the set-up of early generation iPods and iPhones.

Speaking on stage at the conference, senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi said: “The future of iTunes is not one app, but three.” The restructuring of apps will launch as part of the next version of macOS, to be called Catalina, which will be released later this year.

Apple rolled out the service 16 years ago to sell and manage digital music for the iPod, which paved the way for the iPhone.

Apple has already phased out iTunes from the iPhone and iPad, but will now do the same on the Mac and other personal computers, mirroring how the company already handles those services on mobile devices.
 

APPLE’S NEW DESKTOP COMPUTER

Apple also used the event to unveil a new version of its professional desktop computer, the Mac Pro.

The high-powered device, which will start at $US6000 ($A8600), was revealed alongside a connected display.

IPAD CAN NOW BE USED AS A DISPLAY FOR MAC

“Sidecar” means you can use your iPad as a second (or third) display for your desktop computer. The feature works in both wired and wireless mode.

IPAD TO OPERATE MORE LIKE A COMPUTER

Apple also confirmed a separate version of iOS for the iPad. Called iPad OS, it will allow tablet users to use their device more like a desktop computer, Apple said.

The software will show desktop versions of some websites, as well as use a new version of the Files app that works in a similar way to the Finder file management feature on Apple’s desktop computers.

VOICE CONTROL NOW WORKS FOR ACCESSIBILITY

The feature uses Siri to allow you to make changes in Accessibility mode. Voice commands are stored on your Mac — a bonus for those concerned about privacy.

COMBINED ‘FIND MY’ FEATURE

“Find My Friends” and “Find My iPhone” makes it easier to find your devices and other people’s, including devices that are offline.

ACTIVATION LOCK MAKES MAC COMPUTER MORE DIFFICULT TO STEAL

Previously implemented for iPhones and iPads, this feature makes it very difficult for people to steal, wipe and restore your devices without explicit permission from the owner. For this to work, the Mac needs the newer T2 chip.

NEW FEATURES FOR WELL-KNOWN APPS

The Apple Music app will now have time-synched lyrics that scroll with the song; the Mail app will now support rich text; Notes will support galleries and shared folders. The Reminders App has undergone a complete redesign including linking it with the to-do list and the ability to tag people.

THE APPLE WATCH WILL NOW TRACK YOUR PERIOD

The Apple Watch will allow female users to track their menstrual cycle from the device for the first time.

A new cycle track feature will allow users to receive alerts when their cycle is about to begin and when they are most fertile.

WATCH USERS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD APPS

Apple also unveiled several new apps for its smart watch, including independent apps that don’t rely on the iPhone. The App Store will be available on the watch, making it possible for people to find and download apps right on their watch — expanding the availability of purchases that generate commissions for Apple.