Sorry folks: Apple didn't unveil new gadgets this year, but they revealed 5 awesome software revamps!
Apple Music
As predicted two weeks ago, Apple is entering the online music streaming arena with the debut of Apple Music. To be released in over 100 countries across the globe on June 30, 2015, the new music streaming service will cost a single user $9.99 per month, while a family of six individuals will only have to pay $14.99 to use it. This package includes access to over 30 million tracks from the iTunes Store, which users can listen to any kind of devices. In addition, the service would also create and suggest playlists based on a user's tastes and listening habits. Clearly, Apple's music plans are more affordable than Spotify's subscription rates.
CarPlay Build-Your-Own App Capability
Like iOS 9 and OS X, Apple's car operating system underwent some major overhauls this year. Anyone can now develop apps for CarPlay to control the features of the car where it's installed. Plus, car manufacturers can already customize the look of the CarPlay dashboard, as Apple now supports high-DPI screens at a variety of display sizes.
Cloud-enabled Apple HomeKit
Apple's smart home technology HomeKit expanded its set of features as HomeKit-enabled appliances continue to grow in the market. Powered by the cloud, the smart home platform can now adjust curtains, manage motion sensors, and access security locks via connected devices.
Most importantly, users can now create custom triggers. Developers are now allowed to use time- and location-based triggers to activate HomeKit-compatible connected gadgets based on a specific schedule or geo location.
AppleInsider predicts that iPhones would be compatible to HomeKit soon.
Smarter Siri
Apple's version of Google Now, Siri, not only renewed its look but also augmented its list of capabilities. It can now remind users of important events and appointments based on time and location. It can also search for the content you need within the installed apps in your mobile or online. For example, it can play a song from your iTunes. Its database got even more comprehensive, and is now capable of delivering answers for highly specific queries, like sports scores.
Moreover, she can find out details about a stranger who calls you before you answer it, as well as provide quick suggestions about what to do in your upcoming meetings, and what kind of apps you need to get through the day. Clearly, Siri is now a better assistant.
Apple Maps Commute Directions
Finally: Apple Maps offer directions for commuters. To improve its most criticized software, Apple would now provide public transportation routes via bus, ferry, subway, and train. The tech leader mapped subway stations to provide accurate travel times to its users. However, the transit maps are going to be released in a few cities for starters: Baltimore, New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Shenzhen, just to name a few.
The best part is Apple Maps is now integrated with Siri. For instance, if you search for a particular store, Siri would instantly tell you whether that store accepts payments through Apple Pay.
Apple Watch Software Update watchOS 2
Apple Watch quickly released an OS upgrade two months before the launch of the first one: watchOS 2. One of the update standouts is Time Travel: a feature that shows users events in their calendar in a sleek, reader-friendly timeline format. Furthermore, you can now reply to emails using the watch. Plus, the new OS easily syncs with iPhone's new OS, the updated Apple maps, HealthKit, and HomeKit.
Apple News
A direct Flipboard competitor, Apple News is the tech titan's replacement for Newsstand that creates a magazine of curated content based on user preferences and reading patterns. Consumers may also follow online publications or categories in the app.
Apple empowered their media partners to personalize the look of the content they would push at News. Unfortunately, there's no official launch date for the new reader app yet, but initial rollouts would be at the US, the UK, and Australia.
