WWDC 2014: Apple outs Yosemite for Macs, iOS 8 for iPhone and iPad

It's that time of the year when Apple makes its presence felt in the market and connects with its developer community via its WWDC event in San Francisco that is slated for 2nd to 6th June. Most of us expected Apple to showcase its next iPhone version, a first for the event but that turned to be a no-show. However, we had the usual suspects making their appearances i.e. Mac OS X 10.10 platform codenamed as Yosemite and iOS 8 for the iPhone and iPad.

Apple has announced the desktop version Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite that appears to narrow the bridge between Mac and iOS to some extent. They have addepad a Dark mode option for lighter, translucent menu bars, something that, accoording to Apple provides seamless connect between content and interface. Change in font style is another refreshing improvement and continues the same pattern across every aspect. You also have new refreshed, sleek icons that offer that offer the simplicity that Apple always talks about. Adding further spice to the platform are; Contunuity and Extensibility that reach out to iOS 8 as well. In simple terms, Continuity refers to set of tools and features that offer converging experience while using multiple devices and switching from an iOS device to a Mac and vice versa.

Another interesting additon to the Yosemite is the capability of converting your Mac into a phone, or if I may say iPhone. Apple cheekily used this feature to publicily welcome Dr Dre of Beats to the Apple family. Yosemite is now available to developers in Beta stage and goes out to the public, later somwhere around September. There are host of other features that we will be talking about in our detailed Yosemite feature.

Moving on to the iOS8 which according to to Tim Cook, was the most important upgrade of iOS and we wonder why. Cosmetically, it looks just like the iOS 7 with Notification Center that is equipped with in-line messaging capability i.e. you can just scroll down notification center and reply to message/call/request. You have the much anticipated Health app that enables your iPhone to track your body readings, just like many fitness bands available these days which can be paired with the phone.

Another interesting part about iOS8 is the iMessage's ability to send video/audio messages aka like WhatsApp. There's also access to third-party keyboard apps, new refined default keyboard on iOS 8 as well. For developers, iOS 8 brings app reviewing feature, wherein one can post app video demo for users and prior to releasing the app, test out its viability in beta stage with Testflight.

Apple has announced that iOS 8 upgrade will be reaching devices in their line-up like iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display. All this clearly implies that any iPhone 4 user in India will have to manage or do away with their device and look for an upgrade.