The big news from the Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday was the unveiling of iOS 12, the new operating system software update for the iPhone and iPad. The market reacted positively to the iOS update, and analysts anticipate a major upgrade cycle from global iPhone users over the next few quarters.
Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi says iOS 12 users can expect keyboards and cameras to respond more quickly to commands. The updated photos app will include new features, such as suggestions based on places or categories and searchable criteria.
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Apple is also beefing up its augmented reality capabilities with a new Measure app that will measure real-world dimensions digitally. Shortcuts will now allow iPhone users to create custom Siri commands. Apple customers will also be able to use the Memoji app to create customized animated emojis.
The popular Facetime video call app will now accomodate up to 32 people on one video call.
Apple is also breaking ground by launching three updates aimed at helping users combat smartphone addiction. A new Do Not Disturb feature blocks notifications during sleeping hours. Users will also now be able to group notifications by topic, thread and source.
Finally, Apple is adding new features to help users and parents limit screen time. A new Screen Time app shows users how much time they spend on individual apps and categories of apps per week. Parents will be able to access these reports remotely and will have the ability to set limits on how much time their children can spend on individual apps.
GBH Insights head of technology research Daniel Ives says investors shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the updates to Siri’s functionality as Apple battles with Amazon,com. ( AMZN) and its Alexa voice assistant.
“Enhanced AR capabilities and more advanced Siri additions to the platform were some of the main technology features developers were focused on at WWDC, as Apple looks to keep pace with Amazon and its next generation Alexa smart speaker platform, with Google ( GOOG, GOOGL) also handily in the mix,” Ives says.
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Despite a softening in the global smartphone market, Ives says the iPhone still reigns supreme for Apple investors, and as many as 350 million iPhones around the world are in need of an upgrade within the next 18 months.
GBH Insights has a “highly attractive” rating and $200 price target for AAPL stock.
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Apple Inc. (AAPL) Is Giving the iPhone a Major Update originally appeared on usnews.com
