Apple kicked off its all-online Worldwide Developers Conference bringing together millions of developers and fans from across the globe for the Special Event Keynote and Platforms State of the Union. The day was filled with announcements and innovations that will push the experience of Apple platforms and products even further. From macOS Big Sur, featuring the biggest design upgrade since the introduction of Mac OS X, to watchOS 7, the new App Library in iOS 14, and enhanced handwriting capabilities with Apple Pencil in iPadOS 14, here are some of the most groundbreaking features and app development tools unveiled at WWDC20.

macOS Big Sur

Safari, already the world’s fastest desktop browser, gets its biggest update ever, bringing even faster performance and new features, all while protecting user privacy. Users can customise the new start page with a background image and sections like their Reading List and iCloud Tabs, and further personalise their experience with improved support for extensions. The Mac App Store makes it easy to discover and download great Safari extensions with a new category that includes editorial spotlights and top charts.

Mac Catalyst, which debuted with macOS Catalina last year, has made it easy for developers to bring their iPad apps to the Mac. In macOS Big Sur, Mac Catalyst apps automatically inherit the new look, while giving developers powerful new APIs and total control over the look and behaviour of their apps.

iOS 14

The App Library automatically organises all of a user’s apps into one simple, easy-to-navigate view, and intelligently surfaces apps that may be helpful in the moment.

App Clips, designed to be discovered the moment it is needed, load a small part of an app experience within seconds to complete a specific task, such as renting a scooter, purchasing a coffee, or filling a parking meter.

Pinned conversations in Messages enable users to easily keep up with lively group threads through mentions and inline replies.

New cycling directions in Maps take into account elevation, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs along the route.

iPadOS 14

Scribble with Apple Pencil allows users to write in any text field where it will automatically be converted to typed text, making actions like replying to an iMessage or searching in Safari fast and easy.

Search on iPad has been rebuilt from the ground up with a new compact design, enabling users to start a search from anywhere, without having to leave the app they are in.

watchOS 7

In a first-of-its-kind innovation for a wearable, Apple Watch automatically detects handwashing to initiate a 20-second countdown timer. If the wearer finishes early, they’ll be prompted to keep washing.

Apple Watch introduces sleep tracking, taking a holistic approach to sleep by providing valuable tools to help users get the desired amount of sleep, get to bed on time, and create a pre-bedtime routine to meet their sleep goals.

In watchOS 7, Apple Watch wearers can now share watch faces that are infinitely customisable and personalised, inclusive of complications, through Messages or Mail, and discovered through the App Store or even from links through websites and social media channels.

Maps : Apple’s “new maps” are rolling out later this year in the UK, Ireland, and Canada. Maps will also soon be getting cycling directions (in NYC, SF Bay Area, LA, Beijing, and Shanghai at first) that are mindful of things like bike lanes and hills, along with directions for electric vehicle owners that factors in things like battery range and charging locations.

CarPlay : CarPlay is getting new wallpaper options, along with a handful of new built-in apps focusing on things like parking, charging, and food ordering. Meanwhile, Apple has been working with a handful of car makers (including BMW) to allow you to use your phone as a key.

App Clips: Tiny, fast, lightweight “Applets” that pop-up on demand without requiring you to manually install anything — like, say, something to take payment on the fly when you want to rent a scooter. Can be triggered by NFC, QR code, or via Safari/Messages.

Apple Pencil/Scribble : Handwriting recognition now works in any text field, allowing you to jot a quick note without having to put the Pencil down to type. You can also now draw rough shapes (like stars, octagons, and arrows) and have them automatically convert to prettier computer-drawn shapes by briefly holding your pencil in place as you finish drawing.

AirPods:

Automatic device switching : AirPods can now automatically switch between multiple devices. Play a video on your iPad, and you’ll hear that audio from your AirPods; if a call comes in on your iPhone, AirPods can automatically switch over accordingly.

Spatial Audio : Simulated surround sound, compatible with AirPods Pro only. They take things like the position of your head into account, using AirPod’s built-in accelerometers to make it seem like the audio is “fixed” to the real world around you.

Handwashing detection : Relevant! The Apple Watch can detect when you’re washing your hands, using the accelerometer to look for the relevant motions and the microphone to listen for the sounds of scrubbing. When it detects you’re scrubbing away, it can automatically start a countdown timer to help ensure you’ve done the full twenty seconds.

tvOS 14

Apple TV users can now access HomeKit-enabled video cameras and accessories by using Siri or Control Center, and receive doorbell notifications on the big screen with live feeds showing who is there.

tvOS 14 expands multi-user capabilities to include Apple Arcade and other games, so everyone in the house can instantly resume their favourite games exactly where they left off. Through Control Center, players can easily switch between users, their game progress, Game Center achievements, leaderboards, and friends.

Even the Siri interface has been overhauled to no longer take over the fullscreen, and can do speech-to-text transcription entirely on-device for the sake of speed and privacy. One can also now pin your most important conversations to the top of your messages list, and you can setup notifications on noisy group messages to only alert you when you’re mentioned by name. Oh, and Memojis can now wear masks.