Apple's new OS update iOS 16

Apple launched iOS 16 in September this year and it is a big leap in the direction of future ventures for Apple, especially AR. With the new update of iOS 16, the developer team of Mac has revamped machine learning and artificial intelligence to render a quality performance to its users. They are more focused to strengthen the foundation of mixed reality in all their gadgets.

A modernized user experience

Apple always looks forward to investing heavily in its ecosystem and gadgets before revealing any product specifications. It makes sense in terms of seamless integration into the ecosystem and acquiring monopoly status for AR devs to allow further exciting innovations. Live text, family sharing, and the much-anticipated stage manager are a few of the new features that are now available from iOS 16, in addition to enhancements for the continuity camera, and facetime handoff, among other things.

PDFKit and Live Text API.

With iOS 16, they reformed the Live Text API and ensured that users can copy text from live videos and images. The DataScannerViewController class, which is a major part of the VisionKit framework, allows you to define different scanning parameters. To recognize texts, the Live Text API leverages the VNRecognizeTextRequest. The feature of the Live Text API may seem to be comparable to Google Lens.

Additionally, with the customized spatial audio, users can experience enhanced VR mechanics. The functionality to scan text fields and change documents into pictures are the two improvements in the PDFKit framework that will be critical in creating an AR experience. Leveraging two rich image identification functions, the developer team is on the right track. This will allow them to integrate VR/AR applications with interactive interfaces.

iOS 16 has enabled the Haptik features. Along with the Always-ON feature, this may negatively impact the battery life of the device. Although an unnoticed functionality, developers need to take this feature under consideration and focus on developing leaner apps for the users.

RoomPlan and other Assets Framework

Developers can easily design and release AR apps with substantially reduced asset sizes by importing 3D assets from the web. This will give a better experience while using a headset.

The Swift-only API, enabled by ARKit 6, includes an intelligent capability for scanning interiors and creating 3D models. Through this, Apple unveils the creative RoomPlan API. While they were the main APIs that might be useful in 3d virtual scenarios, Spatial is a new framework that can allow you to interact with 3D maths elements.

While Apple did not mention its VR headset ideas, the introduced APIs are critical in connecting the dots of metaverse development. These APIs possibly reflect Apple's turn toward supporting its ecosystem for future devices.

Dictation and Speech Recognition

iOS 16 has revamped the dictation option by allowing users to shuffle between touch and voice. The opportunity to adjust punctuations within SFSpeechRecognitionRequest has been added to the Speech module. This is through incorporating addsPunctuation. As it has already adopted live captioning in FaceTime calls, it can be said that this will potentially lead to effective communication applications.

New Focus filters and Safari. Third-party app developers can use the feature of Focus Filters to filter out unwanted notifications when a certain "Focus Mode" is activated. Moreover, Safari is now rehashed to integrate web page settings like Safari Reader and page zoom settings across all devices. Both the Safari and Focus Filters functionality operate hand-in-hand.

New Focus filters and Safari

Third-party app developers can use the feature of Focus Filters to filter out unwanted notifications when a certain "Focus Mode" is activated. Moreover, Safari is now rehashed to integrate web page settings like Safari Reader and page zoom settings across all devices. Both the Safari and Focus Filters functionality operate hand-in-hand.

The new WatchOS 9

Introduced on September 12, 2022, WatchOS 9 has unleashed a new way of customization. It highlights the potential of Apple’s developer team to employ artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning concepts. Apple’s COO, Jeff Williams says, “Users around the world love Apple Watch for helping them stay connected to those they love, be more active throughout the day, and better manage their health”. WatchOS 9 adds new and improved watch face features in Activity Analog, Simple, and Utility for Modular X-Large, Modular Compact, and Modular, which are to bring additional personalization to the wearable devices.

Advanced Data Analytics

The classic in-session panel now switches between convenient Workout Views through the Digital Crown. The Workout application has been upgraded to give better analytics for tracking performance along with additional training experiences. Kickboard Detection using sensor fusion is another new feature. WatchOS developers would now be at a significant advantage for incorporating better insight into fitness data. Also, with a stirring new Afib measuring feature, Apple Watches might now as well be set to save lives, quite literally. The team also collaboratively aimed at exploring the science behind the user's sleep cycles; thereby allowing users to discover the data of their sleep stage using this Movement study and Apple Heart. The machine learning algorithms for these features were built and verified using reliable clinical polysomnography findings, especially focussing on targeting diverse populations.

Newly introduced APIs

The New APIs make way for the developers to design high-quality-in-class third-party applications employing share sheet support and CallKit. It also allows them to connect Apple TV with WatchOS as well as ensure watch’s accessibility to PhotosPicker.