Apple kicks off its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose today, and the big announcements have begun rolling in — even though no major product announcements are expected at this one, except maybe a new Mac Pro. [Update: Here's that Mac Pro, retailing for $6K.]
Already Monday morning we have word on a new system-wide dark mode for iOS 13, which has been rumored to be in the works for months. Engadget reports from the conference that dark mode will be best appreciated in apps like iMessage, Apple Music, and Calendar. And it will conserve battery along with your eyes — all the newest iPhones with OLED screens don't use any power to display black backgrounds.
Bloomberg discussed the slate of expected software updates over the weekend, and the biggest of these is the expected announcement that iTunes is going away for good. Apple's pioneering music store is expected to be replaced with standalone Mac apps — several of which already exist in iOS form — for Podcasts, Music, and TV. Management of one's Apple devices will migrate from iTunes over to Music.
The other big updates in iOS 13 include a swiping keyboard called Quick Path, and 30-percent faster Face ID unlocking.
Some other expected tweaks and revamps are coming to Maps, Reminders, Notes, Health, Messages, Apple Books, Home, and Mail. Also, Find My iPhone and Find My Friends are getting merged into a single app.
As TechCrunch reports, some updates are coming to WatchOS 6 that move toward greater independence of the Apple Watch from the iPhone.