By Dan Moren
June 7, 2023 8:34 AM PT
Apple highlights new services features coming later this year
Apple announced plenty of new features at WWDC this week, but it’s bundled up a few services-related announcements in a new press release, some of which have been hitherto unknown.
Apple Music, for example, will now feature credits for music, letting you see the various artists on a track. And all Apple Music radio shows will now be available in Apple Podcasts as well. On the Apple TV, you can use the Continuity Camera support in connect with Apple Music Sing to see yourself onscreen during karaoke.
The previously mentioned crossword puzzles in Apple News+ will include both a daily crossword and mini-crossword, which is being produced by The Puzzle Society.
Apple Podcasts gets a refreshed Now Playing design, better queue controls, and the ability to show episode-specific art. In addition, podcasts will be able connect subscriptions between apps and podcasts—so, for example, Bloomberg subscribers may be able to get access to specific podcasts.
There’s a new series page available in Apple Books, which gathers various titles together and shows both ebook and audiobook editions, as well as related suggestions.
Apple Cash will now feature both recurring payments (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) and the ability to automatically top up your balance when it’s low.
IDs in Apple Wallet will be available to businesses for age and identity verification. You get to see what information is being requested before you agree to share it, as well as if it’s being stored, and then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. Apple says this will work without the need for new hardware.
Location sharing will now be available via both Messages and Maps via Find My, letting users share their location or request to see someone else’s location, so that you can get directions to them.
These features are part of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10, to be released later this fall, though it’s not currently clear whether all of these will be available at the time of their release.
[Dan Moren is the East Coast Bureau Chief of Six Colors. You can find him on Mastodon at @dmoren@zeppelin.flights or reach him by email at dan@sixcolors.com. His latest novel, the supernatural detective story All Souls Lost, is now available for pre-order.]
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