WWDC 2020: Apple Silicon, iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur
WWDC 2020 brings iOS 14, macOS Big Sur and Apple's plan to move the Mac from Intel processors to Apple silicon, plus major software updates.
Apple has opened its first fully online WWDC with a broad set of software updates and one historic Mac announcement: future Macs will move from Intel processors to Apple’s own silicon. The transition will take time, but it changes the direction of the Mac more than any single feature in this year’s software.
The Mac is moving to Apple silicon
Apple plans to ship its first Mac with an Apple-designed processor by the end of this year and complete the transition in about two years. Intel-based Macs will continue to receive macOS updates, and Apple says more Intel Macs are still in development.
Developers will be able to build Universal 2 apps that run on both architectures. Rosetta 2 will translate many existing Intel apps, while some iPhone and iPad apps will be able to run directly on Apple silicon Macs. Businesses should treat this as a staged transition, not a reason to replace working Macs immediately.
macOS Big Sur
Big Sur introduces the largest visual redesign to macOS in years, with a cleaner interface, updated icons, a Control Centre and a redesigned Notification Centre. Safari receives a customisable start page, stronger privacy reporting and support for a new extensions area in the Mac App Store.
Big Sur also contains the tools needed for the Apple silicon transition. Compatibility will matter more than appearance for business users, so important apps, printers, security software and specialist hardware should be checked before upgrading.
iOS 14 and iPadOS 14
iOS 14 brings widgets to the Home Screen, an App Library that automatically organises apps, smaller incoming call notifications and App Clips for using a small part of an app without installing the whole thing. Messages gains pinned conversations, mentions and better group controls.
iPadOS 14 adds redesigned sidebars and search, while Scribble converts Apple Pencil handwriting into typed text. The updates are aimed at reducing interruptions and making common actions faster.
watchOS 7 and privacy
watchOS 7 adds sleep tracking, handwashing detection and the ability to share watch faces. Apple is also expanding privacy information in the App Store so people can see what data an app expects to collect before downloading it.
What to do now
Developer betas are available now and public betas are planned for next month. Keep production Macs and work devices on current software until the final releases arrive and the apps you depend on have been checked. The Apple silicon transition is important, but it is not yet a buying deadline.
Apple’s software updates are due later this year. The first Apple silicon Mac is also promised before the end of 2020.
