Apple WWDC 2022 event LIVE: Huge free iPhone upgrade revealed with a BIG surprise

STAYING SAFE

Now Craig has moved on to Privacy and the “personal safety” of users.

Apple is trying to combat online stalking in abusive relationships, where a partner might have access to location sharing or passwords.

You’ll be able to quickly reset and review access that you’ve granted to others.

This could help someone escape an abusive relationship, Apple says.

FAMILY FIRST

There are some updates to Family Sharing, including the ability to let you better manage Screen Time.

And there’s a new Family Checklist that will help you navigate parental controls as kids age.

SPORTY!

There’s a new area in the Apple News app specifically for sports.

It has dedicated sports widgets, including live scores.

And it’s coming to the UK and US.

WALL-TO-WALL WALLET

Apple says it’s working hard to replace your physical wallet with the Wallet app.

It’s already trying to build driver’s licences in the US into the Wallet app.

This will also let you securely present your identity to apps, including sharing that you’re over 21 – rather than revealing your birthday to third parties.

Apple Pay is also expanding with Tap to Pay on iPhone, making it possible to accept payments contactlessly with no additional hardware.

Merchants will be able to use their own iPhones to accept these contactless payments.

There’s also a new ability called Pay Later that lets you split the cost into four equal payments with no additional cost or interest payments.

TALK IT UP

Apple has moved on to Dictation – the ability to speak texts out loud.

It’s used over 18billion times each month, according to Apple.

There’s a new Dictation experience that lets you move between voice and touch.

The keyboard will now stay open so you can type specific words while dictating.

You can also select text using touch and then replace it with your voice.

Dictation will automatically add punctation to the text, which Apple says is “mind-blowing”.

It also works when you send messages with Siri.

TALK TO ME

Now Craig is moving on to Messages – yes, texting!

There’s now an unsend feature for if you’ve made a mistake.

And you can mark threads as Unread too.

LET’S FOCUS

Your Focus is now extending the Lock Screen.

So your wallpaper and widgets will change depending on your Focus.

You can set up different Lock Screens to change depending on the situation.

Focus is also letting you filter out content inside apps.

You could use the Work Focus to filter out all tabs that aren’t related to work.

And it’s the same story for your Calendar.

FIRST LOOK

Here’s a quick glimpse of the new Lock Screen.

Notifications now roll in from the top of the screen.

And there’s a new widget called Live Activities that can show you “glanceable experiences”, including live sports scores or the progress of an Uber ride.

LOCK ON!

More on the Lock Screen changes…

If you choose a Portrait photo for Lock Screen, you’ll be able to choose different depth effects – including having the time appear behind the subject of the photo.

Then you can edit different areas of the Lock Screen, including changing the colours of the time.

You can now add widgets to the Lock Screen, like temperature, your Activity rings and more.

There’s also a wallpaper gallery that helps you get started.

LOCK IT UP

Yes, the Lock Screen is changing in iOS 16 later this year.

Craig says it’s “the biggest update ever” for the Lock Screen.

It looks like we’re getting custom widgets on the iPhone Lock Screen.

And a new depth-effect Portrait photo wallpaper system (just like on the Apple Watch).

CALLING IPHONE

Apple’s Craig Federighi has confirmed that iOS 16 is coming – no surprises there.

He says that the new update will make your iPhone feel fresh and “completely you”.

And Craig says that the Lock Screen is about to change with the new update.

VIRTUALLY HERE

Now real-life Tim Cook has walked behind the stage…only to be replaced by a virtual Tim Cook on screen.

New virtual Tim is talking up the importance of the people who make our apps.

And he says that Apple is key to making all of this magic happen – with its gadgets, software and tools.

TIM TIME

As expected, Apple chief Tim Cook has taken to the stage.

He said today is about “exchanging ideas in a way that can only be done in person”.

Important given that this is Apple’s first properly attended event in years.

THE APPLE RECAP

We’re minutes away – and there’s plenty to come.

Expect big updates for iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and iPadOS.

That means if you own an Apple gadget, you’ll soon be inundated with new features that will be available shortly.

We might see a big reveal of a new MacBook Air powered by Apple’s supercharged M2 chipset.

And we could even catch a glimpse of realityOS – the rumoured software that will power Apple’s (still unannounced) top-secret virtual / augmented / mixed reality headset.

Lots to look forward to!

TEN AND UNDER

Apple fans don’t have long to wait now.

We’re less than 10 minutes away from the main event.

Very soon Apple will unleash a flurry of gadget news.

Expect lots of fun stuff – and a serious helping of geeky computer chat aimed at developers too.

LOCKING IN

We’re expecting plenty of changes with iOS 16, including to the Lock Screen.

The new app is expected to add “widget-like” wallpapers that provide bonus features.

And there could even be support for an always-on Lock Screen like we’ve seen from other phone makers.

MISSING OUT

The bad news is that not everyone will get to enjoy iOS 16.

Some iPhones will simply be too old to get the update.

That’s already the case with Apple’s iOS 15 software, which can only be installed on an iPhone 6S or later.

Thankfully that’s still a very old iPhone, meaning you’re getting decent value for money.

I-UPGRADE

So when will you actually be able to get iOS 16?

Developers will likely be able to beta test the update very soon.

Then over the summer, we’d expect that regular Apple fans will gain access to the public beta.

But the general release will almost certainly fall in September.

That will be to coincide with the long-awaited iPhone 14 release.

FINAL COUNTDOWN

We’re now just 30 minutes away from the event.

To recap, we’re expecting to hear about iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and possibly even the new realityOS.

And to top it all off, there might be a new MacBook Air unveiled too.

The geeky tension is palpable.

GOODIE BLAG

It’s pretty warm out in California today.

We’re looking at highs of 24C / 76F, which is pretty toasty for this tech editor’s pale skin.

Thankfully Apple has been handing out goodie bags with hats and suncream.

I’m no good to anyone frazzled!

ROLL UP, ROLL UP

The Apple festivities are now beginning.

Attendees are filing in to the keynote arena, which is outdoors at the Apple Park campus.

We’re about 40 mins out from the main event.

APPLE STORE DOWN

The online Apple Store is down, which is no surprise.

That’s a regular occurrence just before major Apple events.

It’ll be back up shortly after all the announcements are done.

And then you can start shopping…if there’s anything NEW to buy.

WATCH THIS SPACE

The Apple Watch is wildly popular, outselling even the Swiss watch industry.

And it’s likely to get plenty of love on stage at WWDC.

We could see some new watch faces, as well as performance improvements.

And expect to hear plenty about health and fitness too.

TICKING CLOCK

There’s now less than an hour to go until the Apple WWDC 2022 keynote begins.

Expect to hear from Apple chief Tim Cook, who will probably talk up the company’s achievements in the last year.

Then we’ll hurtle through Apple’s various product lines at breakneck speed, if previous events are anything to go by.

HARD-WHERE?

Apple’s WWDC is always primarily focused on software: apps and operating systems.

But occasionally, Apple has used the event to show off new gadgets too.

There’s talk of a new 2022 MacBook Air with some performance improvements.

This power boost would come courtesy of an Apple-built M2 chip.

Nothing is certain, but it’s a possibility.