Three Themes From WWDC 2025
Hello everyone.
In today’s update, we will talk about three themes from the WWDC 2025 keynote. Two of the themes relate to items found in the keynote. The third theme is about something that wasn’t found in the keynote. In tomorrow's update, we will talk about some of my observations attending the keynote.
A few quick thoughts on the main takeaway from the WWDC 2025 keynote.
While Apple probably didn’t satisfy those who wanted the company to follow other Big Tech companies onto certain AI tracks, the announcements announced on the virtual WWDC stage were significant. In addition to unveiling its first universal redesign across its platforms, intelligence-infused features were sprinkled throughout the presentation in a multitude of ways. The frosting on the cake was a handful of visionOS and watchOS features that serve as great clues for where Apple, and the tech industry, are headed. Instead of an all-powerful, always talking chatbot that thinks for us while eschewing screens, we received proactive, spatial experiences that connect with us on an emotional level.
Liquid Glass Adds Vitality to the Apple Ecosystem
Alan Dye, Apple VP human interface design, was given the digital stage to unveil the largest redesign to Apple’s ecosystem since iOS 7 in 2013. One way to put that timeline in perspective: Above Avalon was still a year or so away from launching. The new design language, Liquid Glass, will define the way we use Apple devices for at least the next decade. There were signs found with a few iPhone features in recent years that a broader redesign was in the works.
If the iOS 7 design was about simplifying things
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WWDC Review: iOS 18, Audio & Home, watchOS 11, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
Today’s update will conclude our keynote review as we go over iOS 18, Audio & Home (AirPods / tvOS), watchOS 11, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia.
Hello everyone. Over the past few updates, we have analyzed approximately half of Apple’s WWDC keynote. Today’s update will conclude our keynote review. Let’s jump right in.
WWDC Review: iOS 18, Audio & Home, watchOS 11, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
Before we get to my granular notes, it is important to look at the big picture.
It’s tempting to look at the amount of stage time given to various Apple platforms and conclude that there wasn’t much announced or discussed. iOS 18 received 16% of stage time. WatchOS 11 and iPadOS 18 received just 7% of stage time each. If going by quantity, there wasn’t a wave of new features announced for each platform. However, Apple hasn’t prioritized new feature quantity at WWDC for years. Instead, Apple has emphasized new feature quality.
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Apple Intelligence Is a Game Changer
Hello everyone. Given the way Apple put together the WWDC 2024 keynote, there is a natural divide that we will utilize for our review and analysis. The next two updates will be dedicated to Apple Intelligence. Today’s discussion will have a broader theme while we will go over the Apple Intelligence features and more on ChatGPT integration tomorrow. Thursday’s update will go over everything else from the keynote.
Yesterday, we had an entertaining (virtual) meetup in the member forum. If you haven't checked out how it went down, hop on over to the forum (using this link) and take a look. You can leave your own comments to any of the discussions as well.
Apple Intelligence Is a Game Changer
Apple has been tiptoeing into AI and ML for years. According to Apple's Craig Federighi, there are approximately 200 ML models being utilized for the latest iPhone flagships. There is then Apple’s extensive efforts with custom silicon and neural engines (going on seven years).
Yesterday, we saw a significantly more concerted and focused effort from Apple regarding intelligence. Some of that is due to the broader AI climate that we find ourselves in. For the past 18 months, we have been in generative AI mania. There is no question that Apple has felt pressure to tell the world its AI plans. However, we also saw Apple take its time to unveil a comprehensive alternative path for how to bring intelligence to the masses. While yesterday’s announcements will take time to fully rollout, what was announced yesterday was surprisingly detailed and multi-faceted.
Before we go any further, attention must be given to branding. Apple’s decision
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Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions.
Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.
An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.