Apple WWDC 2014: Top 3 Takeaways for Government

On June 2, Apple kicked off its annual Worldwide Development Conference (WWDC), held each year in San Francisco. Apple CEO Tim Cook captivated the audience by previewing the latest innovations from Cupertino, Calif.

Although there was no iWatch reveal, there was an abundance of new software previews to be equally excited about – specifically the announcement of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite. 

Here are the Top 3 takeaways for government from WWDC 2014:

1. TouchID Opens Up

   In iOS 8, Apple's biometric login system, called TouchID, can be used within other third-party mobile apps to simplify login processes. With this change, Apple maintains that the biometric information never leaves your phone, and is only used to access login information stored on a keychain. For the public sector, this means that logging into your VPN may be as simple as swiping a finger on your iPhone. 

2. Apps That Communicate With Other Apps

   In iOS 8, apps will communicate and share information amongst one another for the first time. For the public sector, this change allows for connecting multiple government apps and databases for a better user experience. It will also bring forth a new wave of apps that extend the current government data and services delivered on mobile. For example, you could use a third-party translation app on your iPhone to translate a government form directly on your device -- all without any costly integration required by the agency. 

3. Mobile and Desktop Convergence

The announcement of OS X Yosemite was bundled with many innovative products, such as HealthKit and a new standard for secure home automation. Taking a steep back, OS X Yosemite’s core features are built around a deeper convergence of mobile and desktop. For example, if you receive a call or text on your iPhone, you can reply or answer directly from your computer. In that same vein, if you start something on your phone, you can move to your computer and pick up where you left off thanks to an innovative featured called Handoff. These new feature sets may usher in a new set of behavior and user experiences for public-sector employees and those they serve.

iOS 8 & OS X Yosemite will be available this fall.