Apple WWDC 2015 all you need to know

Apples annual Worldwide Developers Conference took place this week and CEO Tim Cook unveiled a selection of exciting new upgrades and features.

WWDC’s usual big announcement is the unveiling of the next generation iOS but this year Apple announced several long awaited Apple services as well.

Here’s everything you need to know about WWDC 2015:

iOS 9

Unsurprisingly Apple unveiled their latest operating system. It will be available this autumn as per usual and to our relief will only take up just over 1GB of memory rather than the 4GB plus for the iOS 8 update. This update will also be available on all devices that can currently upgrade to iOS 8.

Here are the key features for the iOS 9 update:

• A proactive Siri – Apple has given Siri a number of upgrades, making it a lot more intelligent. It is now able to understand contextual cues regarding photos, dates and locations, remind you to do things when you arrive at a certain place and tell you when to leave for an appointment (based on traffic and the distance you need to travel). Siri will also suggest music from what you tend to listen to in specific locations.

• Privacy – Apple have insisted all of this proactive intelligence will retain your privacy. They have said they will not mine your email or pass on your information to third parties.

• Maps – public transport directions will be available in iOS 9 Maps, including London. The Maps system will also be integrated with Siri. It will tell you when to leave in order to be on time too.

• Notes – the notes app will now let you captures photos, drawings, links and other information directly in the app. You will be able to sort out your notes by dates, by attachment type or by the content within them.

• Multitasking – only available on the iPad, Apple has finally allowed users to use two apps at once, by letting you run apps in a split screen. However Split View is only available on the latest iPad Air 2.

• Battery life improved – Apple reports that the iPhone 6 will last an additional hour with iOS 9.

• Two-factor authentication - will now support Apple ID

Apple Music

Another big announcement is the reboot of Dr Dre’s Beats streaming music service, Apple Music.

Apple Music will offer users millions of songs; will feature a globally streamed radio station hosted by Zane Lowe and offer backstage access to your favourite artists.

Apple Music won’t just be for iOS users either; it will be available on Android too. The service is likely to be around £8.99 with a free three month trail.

Apple Pay

Apple has also finally announced the release of Apple Pay in the UK, which will be launched in July with 8 banks, in 250,000 locations and be available in retailers like M & S, Boots and even on the Oyster Card system.

The banks at the launch are Lloyds Bank, TSB, Halifax, Natwest, Bank of Scotland, American Express, RBS, Nationwide, HSBC, M&S Bank, Ulster Bank, Santander and First Direct. And reports suggest that most payments using Apple Pay will be limited to £20 when it launches next month.

Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and services said "Apple Pay has quickly become a big part of millions of users’ everyday shopping routines, providing a simpler, faster and more secure way to pay. We’re thrilled to bring Apple Pay to the UK with support at launch from the most popular banks, an incredible roster of merchants and many of our users’ favourite apps."

Apple Pay has been available in the US since last October and has been extremely successful having expanded to cover over a million locations in the USA.

The Passbook app will be renamed ‘Wallet’ with the iOS 9 update and Apple say it is “well on the way” to replacing the wallet, which they had previously promised. Apple Pay will work with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch.