WWDC and OS27 features

<p>The Old Mac Gang covers what was said at WWDC and the changes that will effect seasoned Apple users</p><p><br></p><p>Engadget — Everything Announced at WWDC 2026: https://www.engadget.com/2189698/everything-announced-at-apples-wwdc-2026-keynote/</p><p>Tom&#39;s Guide — WWDC 2026 Recap: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/wwdc-2026-live-news-updates</p><p>TechCrunch — WWDC 2026 Everything Announced: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/09/wwdc-2026-everything-announced-on-siri-ai-os-27-apple-intelligence-and-more/</p><p>Digital Trends — Full WWDC 2026 Breakdown: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/wwdc-2026-ios-27-siri-ai-apple-intelligence-upgrades-and-everything-else-apple-announced/</p><p>Tech Republic — 10 Biggest Announcements: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-11-biggest-announcements-apple-wwdc-2026/</p><p>iClarified — All 263 New Features: https://www.iclarified.com/101152/here-are-the-263-new-features-revealed-in-apples-massive-wwdc-2026-slide</p><p><br></p><p>The Liquid Glass Situation</p><p>iOS 27 adds an opacity slider — dial back transparency from full Liquid Glass to a solid look</p><p>Default appearance is less extreme than iOS 26 out of the box</p><p>More uniform toolbar design across macOS apps</p><p><br></p><p>Performance</p><p>Apps launch up to 30% faster; Photos open up to 70% faster; AirDrop transfers up 80%</p><p>Apple&#39;s &quot;Snow Leopard&quot; moment — fixing what&#39;s broken before adding new features</p><p>macOS 27 Golden Gate</p><p>Apple Silicon only — Intel Macs no longer supported</p><p>macOS 26 continues to get security updates for Intel users</p><p><br></p><p>Search</p><p>Rebuilt index loads immediately after updating</p><p>Faster, more relevant results across Mail, Photos, and the OS</p><p><br></p><p>Accessibility</p><p>VoiceOver offers AI-generated image descriptions</p><p>Action Button can trigger Visual Intelligence — point, ask, get spoken answers</p><p>Voice Control: describe buttons in natural language</p><p>Accessibility Reader adds AI summaries and translations</p><p><br></p><p>Parental Controls</p><p>Child account setup dramatically simpler; age-appropriate app suggestions built in</p><p>Accounts automatic for under-13, active through 18; parents approve all app additions</p><p>New Time Allowance: per-app and per-category limits with time-of-day schedules</p><p>&quot;Ask to Browse&quot;: kids request blocked site access via Messages; parents approve remotely</p><p>Ask to Buy default for under-13 in App Store and in-app purchases</p><p>Communication Safety now flags violent and explicit content, not just nudity</p><p>Third-party parental control APIs now open to developers</p><p><br></p><p>Siri AI</p><p>Siri rebuilt as a conversational AI — thinks ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude; powered in part by Google Gemini</p><p>On-screen awareness: Siri sees your display and acts on it</p><p>Maintains conversation history across sessions</p><p>Searches Messages, email, calendar, and photos to answer personal questions</p><p>New standalone Siri app — speak or type, review past conversations, syncs via iCloud</p><p>Writes and edits emails/messages; adapts tone to context</p><p>Mail: suggested actions; Phone: surfaces relevant info during calls</p><p>Beta this fall, English only; opt-in; not available on tvOS</p><p><br></p><p>App Updates</p><p>Photos: slideshow maker, Cleanup/Extend/Spatial Reframe AI tools, iCloud Shared Albums now full-res</p><p>Safari: AI tab organizer, Notify Me for restocks/price drops</p><p>Maps: upgraded Flyover with AI-blended 3D city views; Local Lists for trending nearby spots</p><p>Messages: shortcuts to add Calendar events, Notes, or pull related photos</p><p>Mail: faster search, suggested actions; Calendar: add events in plain language</p><p>Passwords: autonomously navigates to vulnerable sites and upgrades weak passwords</p><p>Home: camera alerts grouped by activity; AI describes what triggered motion alerts</p><p>AirPods: custom EQ coming — adjust bass, mids, treb