We did not get this at WWDC 2020: these announcements were missing

This was missing at WWDC 2020

Apple’s WWDC 2020 ran quickly through all product categories. But there are also many things that were not discussed. So got it Screen time and Augmented Reality have received a lot of attention on stage in recent years, but not at all this year. Also topics like Photos, Siri Shortcuts and the Files app received little attention. But there were also a number of topics that we heard nothing about or that were very disappointing.

1. No hardware
2. Kids mode on Apple Watch
3. Real sleep functions on Apple Watch
4. Blood oxygen measurement on Apple Watch
5. Real innovations for iPad and Apple TV
6. Bundle of services

# 1 No hardware at WWDC 2020
You do not expect hardware announcements at a software event. Yet it is common for Apple to announce some things during WWDC, such as new ones MacBooks. That did not happen in 2020. The only thing Apple announced in terms of hardware was the Developer Transition Kit, a converted Mac mini to make the switch to Apple Silicon easier – and it’s not even for sale, but will be lent to developers for $ 500.

In our WWDC 2020 expectations we already indicated that the emphasis would mainly be on software. But with the switch to Apple Silicon, we hoped that Apple already some clarity would give which iMac- in MacBookmodels with ARM processor are coming and which will get an update with Intel processor.

Apple also skipped the other hardware product categories. We could of course fill half an article with a discussion of the products below, but because we have already talked about them regularly, we will list them briefly.

We did not get:

… And of course none new iPhones in iPads, but they were actually not expected at all.

Still, we still expect one iMac with 24-inch screen and narrower edges, but it will probably come later in 2020. With regard to the other products, they may still be planned for 2020. But it will be a busy autumn!

# 2 Kids Mode on Apple Watch

New dials came and we even get them Siri Shortcuts on the Apple Watch. But what was not announced was kind screen time, parental controls or kids mode for Apple Watch. There were rumors that watchOS 7 would include a kids mode, which emphasizes the activity rings and much less on productivity. As a parent, you could also arrange all kinds of things, such as putting more emphasis on certain forms of exercise instead of burning calories.

But that was not announced by Apple. One of the possibilities is that Apple waits until autumn and simultaneously with the children’s mode also immediately announces all kinds of accessories for children, such as playful Disney bands or perhaps these ribbed straps – although we would have preferred a practical solution in the form of washable imitation leather, rather than a dead cow. The watch case can probably remain the same, because 40mm fits perfectly around a child’s wrist. And also the dials are already there. Apple could be special this fall Apple Watchmodels of plastic. Fitbit and Garmin have been releasing special children’s models of their fitness trackers for some time.

# 3 Real sleep analysis for Apple Watch

For years we asked for it, for years there were rumors. But what Apple during WWDC 2020 announced was more of an extension of the Do Not Disturb feature than an actual sleep feature. I don’t want to see how long I lie in bed and how many hours I sleep, but how deep my sleep is, whether I was restless and how alcohol, staying up for a long time, binge-watching and the like affect my sleep.

What Apple has presented is more of an extension of the Bedtime mode (which dims your access screen) and the Bedtime and Alarm (reminding you to get to bed on time).

It is as if your mother looks over your shoulder at night: “Are you going to bed on time? No more watching scary movies eh! ” For example, you can set the Apple Watch to go into dimmed mode 45 minutes before you go to bed. You have to turn the Digital Crown a bit longer to use apps. That will somewhat discourage you from using the Apple Watch. You also get reminders to go to sleep and wake up at the right time. Actually, all that already existed, but now it is packaged in a sleep function, which is actually not a sleep function. It is more of a behavioral trainer to learn your regular habits. You hardly learn anything about your sleeping behavior.

# 4 Blood oxygen measurement on the Apple Watch
There have been rumors for a while that Apple wants to measure blood oxygen with the Apple Watch. The necessary sensors have been in the hardware for a number of years, only Apple has not yet activated it. So there is no new one Apple Watch Series 6 needed to make it possible and it could have been a great software announcement at WWDC 2020. Instead, we got new workouts, which gave many people the impression that they had been in them for a long time (functional training, core workout and dancing).

Blood oxygen at Fitbit.

Real health functions? Now that we have struggled through the corona crisis and are more aware of coughs and symptoms, we would have liked to see a bit more than a timer to wash hands. In iOS 13.6 you may have symptoms soon of diseases, but we would have preferred to see it onstage as part of a wider range of corona functions.

It is quite possible that Apple measuring blood oxygen (SpO2) saves for autumn and then only on the Apple Watch Series 6 activates.

# 5 Really big innovations for iPad and Apple TV
The Apple TV often gets a bit choppy every year. We often have to be satisfied with one or two new functions or a set of new screensavers. That is why Apple had come up with a clever trick in 2020: through everything around Apple TV, AirPod, Homekit in HomePod it seemed like a lot. The most exciting feature for Apple TV? Maybe from now on you can choose the genre of your screensavers…

Also at the iPad we expected more. By splitting off from iPadOS Apple had the opportunity to develop many new iPad-specific features. But the real innovation actually came this spring, with iOS 13.4 and the ability to use trackpads and mice. The announcement of the Magic Keyboard for iPad and all the functions associated with the trackpad have now been made silently. We had on there WWDC still want to see something about it. Nevertheless, we managed to achieve the best iPadOS 14 functions to list for you.

# 6 Apple bundle of services
Apple has been betting on subscriptions recently. There are now Apple services for music, movies and TV shows, games and news. But Apple is not alone in this, because other parties also offer such services. With all the services that cost ten euros a month, you will soon lose a lot of money. A bundle of services from Apple could solve that: for a lower amount per month you are ready in one go.

Unfortunately, the announcement did not take place at WWDC. There was a glimpse of it Apple TV+ in with a trailer from Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, but that was it. Apple could wait until this fall to release the bundle simultaneously with a new one Apple TV to announce.

Looking back are most WWDC 2020 expectations come true anyway. There are only some extras that we would have liked to see.

You can read what Apple did announce in our WWDC 2020 summary!

Have you on WWDC Missed 2020 things you were really looking forward to? Then we hear the bone in the comments!

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