Apple WWDC Enables Developer Innovation: Simplifying the Apple Experience

The WWDC has come a long way since David attended the first Apple Developer’s Conference in Monterey, California in May of 1983. Back then it was all about new and interesting products but now it seems to be all about improvements to the software. But we shouldn’t doubt the importance of these updates because one of Apple’s strong suits has always been powerful software to facilitate a great user experience and as usual Apple has not disappointed. It has released a number of updates which promise to change the entire Apple ecosystem. Let’s check out some of these exciting technologies.

The New Ecosystem

The slew of new features and software coming out of San Francisco is impressive. Apple has listened to its customers and has started rolling out functionality in and across its ecosystem which we have all craved. One of the biggest changes in improving the user experience: tvOS. And the magic word? Single sign-on.

In the past, when using Apple TV, to gain access to the apps from the major networks such as HBO, NBC, ABC, etc., you used to have to log on to each individually. This meant many people (including myself Dave) gave up and watched TV the old-fashioned way. Those frustrating times are gone. Welcome single sign-on. You now only have to log on once to gain access to all the different program apps.

However, the ecosystem improvements don’t stop there. Apple has now begun allowing Apple Pay on the web. Do you like that one-click purchase option on Amazon? Well, you’ll love this. It will now simplify and make it dangerously simple to make all your purchases online with Apple Pay (where it is offered). These changes should obviously be applicable to the tvOS side of the Mountain View giant’s plans. Our prediction is that we will see a closer marriage between the two in the near future.

We’ve also seen significant developments in the home automation space, that is the consumer Internet of Things. With the introduction of the Apple’s new Home App, users can now bring a large number of third-party device producers under the control of their Home App. But that is not the best part. The best part is a new “scenes” functionality. It allows you to preprogram certain actions at fixed moments. Entering the driveway? Your Home App will know you’re home and open the garage, switch on the kitchen lights and start warming up your house. Waking up in the morning? Your new breakfast scene will start the coffee machine, switch on the lights and the heating in winter. That Nest artificial intelligence? No longer necessary.

Putting Together The Puzzle Pieces

Again, just like with Apple Pay we can see how this tvOS and many of the other developments announced this week tie together to create a much bigger and more exciting picture. Home App integrated into tvOS with access to your Mac and the ability to buy new home devices via Apple Pay? Our guess is we will see this happening soon.

Given that this is a blog on innovation, we need to ask the question, what do all these fundamental changes mean for innovation? By creating a simple user experience across the Apple ecosystem we will see more developers increasing their engagement across more than just one platform. As iPhone and iPad developers see the barriers to usage disappear for many products, it will entice them to take their skills from other ecosystems and apply them in new ones. And this is a perfect formula for innovation.

For example, the gaming industry has always been a place replete with innovation but the biggest innovations usually occur when the gaming technology is applied to other areas. Don’t like your current TV remote? Wait until the gaming companies get a hold of it. Don’t like the way the Home app integrates with other devices and the general IoT? Wait until the gaming companies get a hold of it. By simplifying its software, Apple is now enticing other developers, such as game developers, to take a closer look at their other products.

But the most important thing is that by making the Apple ecosystem easier to use for consumers and developers we are lowering risk for innovators and as I argue in my forthcoming book, Innovation Tools, this is a true catalyst for innovation. So expect to see some interesting developments from companies outside of Apple leveraging these exciting developments.

By Evan Shellshear and David Fradin