Apple’s Secret Weapon Against Grandparent Tech Troubles Unveiled!

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Apple’s WWDC and the Art of “Sherlocking”

Every year, developers watch Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with the hope that their apps will not be rendered outdated by new features built into Apple’s operating systems. This is known as being “Sherlocked”. Apple’s recent release of the Journal app, which shares similarities with Day One, has left many developers fearing the same for their own apps. However, this year Apple has gone one step further than usual; they have reached back to find inspiration in outdated technology that predates even the company itself.

The Appeal of Old Tech

Apple has taken inspiration from answering machines – a device that pre-dates caller ID, visual voicemail, and text messaging. The chunky machines had cassette tapes that users could record messages on if they missed a call. Rather than listen to someone leaving a long message, only to eventually hang up, Apple’s Live Voicemail feature provides a live transcript that pops up on the screen as soon as the caller begins recording. The user can read the message and choose to answer before the caller hangs up.

Retracing the Time on Analog Technology

Similarly, Apple has brought an old staple – an analog alarm clock – back to life with the StandBy feature. Placing the iPhone in landscape mode creates a customizable interface with widgets, the time, or even a screen-spanning clock face. The clock face’s digits or analog clock indices and hands switch to a dim red at night, just like old analog alarm clocks.

The Elimination of Business Cards

Finally, Apple has replicated an existing capability – sharing contact cards via AirDrop – and streamlined it with a new feature called NameDrop. Users bring their iPhone in close proximity to another iPhone and are prompted to share their contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses.

Conclusion

Although Apple has borrowed ideas from current and past technologies, it is not unusual for companies to look to the past for inspiration. As the old adage goes, great ideas are destined to be repeated if there’s new context to put them in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is “Sherlocked”?

“Sherlocked” is a term used to describe when Apple builds new features into its operating systems that render third-party apps outdated.

How does Apple’s Live Voicemail feature work?

Live Voicemail provides a live transcript that pops up on the screen as soon as the caller begins recording a voicemail, allowing the user to read the message and choose to answer before the caller hangs up.

How does the StandBy feature work?

Placing the iPhone in landscape mode creates a customizable interface with widgets, the time, or even a screen-spanning clock face. The clock face’s digits or analog clock indices and hands switch to a dim red, just like old analog alarm clocks.

What is NameDrop?

NameDrop is a feature that prompts users to share their contact information with another iPhone user when the two devices are brought into close proximity, streamlining the sharing of contact cards via AirDrop.

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