The recent Apple Worldwide Developers conference saw a vast sweep of updates and innovations across the entirety of Apple’s product range. Most of the updates are aimed at improving user productivity, as well as communications. The Updates to Swift Playgrounds make creating and testing possible straight from the iPad and new “Live Text” text recognition feature is almost magic. Here are the updates you need to know about and some of the big takeaways for the world of education:
Highlight Features for Education
Swift Playgrounds 4:
A major use of iPads within schools is in STEM and STEAM initiatives. Teaching valuable coding and problem-solving skills allowing students to better engage in the high tech, rapidly changing world of Apps and programs.
The introduction of Swift Playgrounds 4 brings enhancements for the STEM space. With the latest updates allowing creators to test and create iPad and iPhone apps from an iPad. By removing the need for a laptop in the app creation process, swift playgrounds gives students and teachers an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the fast developing world of apps and programs.
Live text:
For many, whiteboards and paper notes act as a primary means for group collaboration and brainstorming. While there are many advantages to this tried-and-true method of collaboration, recording and deciphering the writing left on a whiteboard is often a tedious process.
With the release of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple introduced a solution to this problem with the introduction of Live Text.
Using advanced artificial intelligence Live Text isolates and digitises words within a picture taken on an iPhone or iPad, separating them from the other content in the photo. Allowing the user to select the text and copy it into a writing document or call a phone number contained within the photograph. If used to its full potential, this feature will streamline collaboration and note-taking and remove some of the hassles along the way.
Airplay for Mac:
One of the most useful features on many Apple devices is AirPlay. Using a wireless internet connection, AirPlay grants Apple device users the ability to share their screen with an Apple TV.
In the past use this feature in the classroom required an Apple TV or third party software . With the introduction of Mac OS Monterey, iPads and iPhones will now be able to Airplay directly to Mac computers, removing the need for additional apps. A long-needed feature to simplify screen sharing.
Software Updates:
iOS 15:
What devices can take this update?
iOS 15 will be available on the iPhone 6S onwards.
Highlight features:
- Updates to FaceTime.
- Live Text and Focus;
- Improvements for maps.
iPadOS 15:
What devices can take this update?
- iPad 5 Onward
- iPad Mini 4 Onward
- iPad Pro Onward
- iPad Air 2 Onward
Highlight features:
- Improvements to multitasking.
- Updates to FaceTime.
- The introduction of Live Text
- Focus and Universal Control.
macOS Monterey:
What devices can take this update?
- MacBook Pro (early 2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (early 2015 and later)
- MacBook (early 2016 and later)
- Mac Mini (late 2014 and later)
- iMac (late 2015 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 and later)
- Mac Pro (late 2013 and later)
Highlight features:
- Universal Control;
- Improvements to Safari tabs,
- Focus.
Reflections:
Although WWDC 2021 did not see any announcements of new products, the latest OS updates will standardise many features across devices and with improvements to existing such as FaceTime. It is easier than ever to connect and stay on track if we can only use the full potential of what they offer.
If you would like to know more about what WWDC 2021 means for your school or how New Gauge Digital can optimise your use of Apple devices send us a message at:
https://www.newgaugedigital.com.au/pages/contact-us
