The Tech Media Minute: Pondering Apple's iOS 10, watchOS 3 at WWDC 2016

Early takeaways from iOS 10, watch OS betas

That stillness you heard yesterday afternoon was the Internet slowing down as Apple developers (and novices alike) downloaded the first betas for iOS 10, macOS 10.12, tvOS 10, and watchOS 10 following the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.

Very early thoughts: These are impressive upgrades. Still, we think Apple might have gone overboard with the iMessages update in iOS 10. These are cute tools for kids, but most users might be confused with all of the new features. And watchOS 10? A definite step in the right direction. The new faces are great and yes, apps run much quicker now.

Still wondering: Why won’t Apple give us third-party Watch faces?

Odds and ends from keynote

Major kudos go to the folks at Apple for holding a well-paced and dynamic keynote address. Each section moved appropriately into the next, something that has often been lacking at previous Apple events.

Some lingering questions remain, however:

• Tim Cook is the face at Apple, so why does he hide so much at these events?
• Nothing about iTunes? This app has become a disaster.
• Does Apple expect us to talk to Siri every day from our work cubicles?
• No Amazon Video on Apple TV. Really, Apple?

Over at E3

Apple didn’t announce new hardware at WWDC. Microsoft did at the E3 Expo. The Xbox One maker unveiled a compact version called the Xbox One S, which launches in August. The company also announced Xbox One Project Scorpio, which will support high definition virtual reality as well as games designed to exploit new 4K Ultra HD technology. That version doesn’t launch until 2017.

NASA confirmed that the #Cygnus cargo vehicle was successfully released from the International Space Station today.

Also trending this Tuesday:

• #FlagDay
• #StateOfWomen
• #ImNeverTooBusyFor
• #Cygnus
• #smashingconf
• #ArmyBDay
• #TechTuesday
• #VideoAdSummit
• #FedForum
• #lmhqwomensbreakfast

Today, June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. It’s also Monkey Around Day.

WWDC continues in San Francisco, California (through June 17). Down in Los Angeles, the E3 Expo continues (through June 16).

Rewind: On this day in 1942, Disney’s “Bambi” was released. This is also the day in 1834 that Isaac Fischer Jr. patented sandpaper.

Have a few more minutes? Check out these other stories making news:

• First Click: Microsoft’s beautiful new Xbox shows why modular gadgets are doomed, The Verge
• The Hottest Trailers From Ubisoft’s E3 2016 Press Conference, GameSpot
• Minecraft takes a big step towards becoming a fully cross-platform game, TechCrunch

Want even more? Check out Tech Media Extra.