Some good news for Apple fans.

The tech giant has announced a range of exciting software updates headed for almost all of their devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac desktops and laptops, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.

We’re particularly interested in the new iPhone upgrades, especially following all of the rumours that have been circulating about what we can expect this year.

For an overview of what Apple is up to in the near future when it comes to their Macs, iPads and so on, watch this summary from yesterday’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC):

Rad, now to focus in on the iPhone.

Here’s TIME:

Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage at the San Jose Convention Center on Monday to kick off the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where he and other Apple execs unveiled a handful of changes coming to the iPhone with iOS 13, an upcoming software update.

Here are the six coolest iPhone features that Apple announced:

1. iOS 13 has Dark Mode

Turns out nobody likes an all-white display, especially before bedtime.

That could be why, following the trends set by both third-party app developers and the company’s smartphone competition, it’s adding the eye-friendly Dark Mode to iOS 13.

Switching your iPhone to Dark Mode will turn the device’s typically bright design elements black and grey, drawing less power and easing eye strain in the process.

We all know how precious sleep is.

2. Sharing music is easy again

The iOS 13 update will make music-sharing a whole lot easier.

With Audio Sharing, two AirPod-wearing users can listen to the same song at once, meaning you’ll no longer get to look cute when sharing your headphones with your partner, but at least you’ll both get stereo sound.

iOS 13 can also hand calls and other audio off to a HomePod when you’re home, and then automatically switch back to your iPhone when you leave the house.

3. Apple’s apps are getting an upgrade

A new swipe-friendly keyboard, period tracking, and activity tracking in health are just some of the apps getting an upgrade.

Apple’s rebooted Reminders app now supports natural language entry, meaning you can simply type your reminder and when you want to be reminded about it, and the app will automatically understand what you want. You can tag other people in your to-dos as well, getting relevant reminders when you interact with them in a text message, for example.

I love anything that makes everything more efficient.

4. More privacy 

Always a good thing in an age where it feels like nothing is private anymore.

Apple’s privacy-centric changes take aim at apps known for gathering (and sometimes abusing) user data collected surreptitiously during use.

Apple is giving users more control over apps’ collection of their location data, adding the ability for users to share their location on a per-use basis. Apps trying to bypass user-approved location data sharing by using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth will be left high and dry, as Apple’s keeping that info protected.

Its also creating its own single-sign-on service for iOS 13, called ‘Sign In With Apple’ that will protect your data.

5. A more powerful Photos app

Even better – quality over quantity.

Apple’s new iOS 13 Photos app uses machine learning to ditch duplicate images, blurry photos, and distractions like screenshots or downloaded images when you want to see the best of the best when it comes to your photos.

They make getting that perfect snap even easier.

6. ‘Memojis’

You can now customise your emojis to look like you.

With iOS 13, Memoji will be more customizable, with new options like eyeshadow, jewelry, hats, and additional hairstyles. You can also use Memoji as traditional emoji in text, with your Memoji appearing as intended across all supported Apple devices (those with an A9 or newer processor.)

All of this looks extremely promising, as Apple goes from strength to strength, and the iPhone just keeps getting better.

As a South African, your first port of call for all Apple-related products should always be Digicape, South Africa’s largest independent Apple retailer.

If you’re a first time iPhone user, or need a little help getting to grips with the new upgrades, you can even make a Fundi Booking – a one-on-one appointment with one of their ‘Apple Fundis’ – to discuss any question you have related to your Apple hardware or software.

Apple pros can also trade in their older Apple goodies (iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches) for discounts on the latest products.

Sorted.

Hopefully, now you won’t have too many doubts about upgrading from iOS 12, because you know you’re in for a treat.

Head over to Digicape’s website for a look at their product range, promotions, and more.

[sources:time]