Apple WWDC: All you need to know

Apple unveiled a raft of new technology at its highly-anticipated WWDC developers conference on Monday - including what it described as its biggest software release yet for the iPhone.

The California-based consumer tech behemoth began the conference by unveiling a new Apple Watch operating system, dubbed watchOS 3.0.

It said the new software will bring new watch face designs, a different ‘Glances’ screen and improvements to launch speeds.

Apple also said it has improved functionality for wheelchair users, and introduced a new deep-breathing app creatively called Breathe.

On its connected television product Apple TV, the company took the wraps off its new tvOS software, which includes a new remote app for iPhone, improved Siri search, and a single sign-in for paid satellite subscriptions.

The last feature is likely to remain accessible to those in the US only at this stage.

On its laptop range, Apple has updated OSX and renamed it macOS, revealing its latest iteration as Sierra.

Sierra is bringing Apple Pay to computers, as well as the popular voice assistant Siri.

For its most popular and ubiquitous product, the iPhone, Apple told owners to expect to see a large number of improvements, dubbing the new iOS 10 “the mother of all releases”.

In a break from tradition, colourful widgets will now be visible on phone lockscreens, allowing iPhone owners reply to messages and check other notifications without unlocking their devices.

Siri is also being given the ability to interact with non-Apple apps, including Pinterest, Uber and WhatsApp.

Apple Photos is being given an intelligent upgrade, displaying holiday shots on an interactive map, automatically editing photos into video montages and introducing onboard facial recognition.

The company’s music streaming service Apple Music has also been entirely overhauled, with a new look and built-in lyrics.

In an announcement that came as something of a relief to owners of iPhones with smaller storage capacity, Apple owners will also now be permitted to delete pre-loaded apps, including Apple Watch, Music, Podcasts, Stocks and Tips.

The Apple News app’s overhaul brings it more into line with Google’s own recently-overhauled Newsstand, introducing magazine subscriptions and breaking news notifications.

iMessage - the company’s most successful app - will see new features that have existed on third-party apps for several years, including the ability to resize text and emojis, change text bubble colours and send handwritten messages.