Apple celebrates 45 years, WWDC 2021 announced, and our iOS feature wishlist on the AppleInsider Podcast

On April 1, Apple celebrated 45 years since it was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne back in 1976. In a email, CEO Tim Cook took an optimistic tone by saying to staff, "What I can tell you with gut certainty is that there has never been a moment of such great potential as this one, nor have we ever had so talented and dedicated a team."

As well as revisting back at its past, Apple has looked to the future with confirmation that it will hold an online-only WWDC this year from June 7-11. We discuss the possibility of returning to a normal, in-person WWDC in 2022 and also the possibility of seeing an AR or VR headset announcement this year. While a product announcement seems unlikely, Apple could introduce new ARKit tools for the upcoming device.

Certainly coming soon are updates, and the latest beta of iOS 14.5 has revealed two new Siri voices plus the option of choosing one on setup.

We discuss our hopes for new features in iOS 15, iPadOS, watchOS and macOS. Considering the success of Shortcuts on iOS, we hope Apple brings this automation tool to the Mac and adds more flexibility to the iPad. Widgets could be more useful given interactive features, and iCloud Drive syncing could be drastically improved.

Also, a new report from Bloomberg claims that Apple is considering a "rugged" Apple Watch model targeted toward athletes and extreme users.

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Links from the show

• Stephen's Home screen
• William's Home screen
• Neil's Home screen
• Apple's 45th Birthday Tweet
• Apple will hold WWDC 2021 online June 7 through June 11
• Apple's mixed reality headset debut expected in mid-2021
• Return of the Mac: How Apple Silicon will herald a new era at WWDC 2021
• Siri gets two new voices, user choice at setup in iOS 14.5
• Apple considering ruggedized Apple Watch for release as soon as 2021
• tvOS 14.5 beta code hints at redesigned Apple TV remote with center button
• More supposed evidence of rumored next-generation Apple TV remote surfaces
• The Mac needs Shortcuts - Jason Snell

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: steve@appleinsider.com

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