Apple unveils long-awaited iPhone feature – so what is Dark Mode?

Apple has unveiled a string of new software and hardware updates to its product line including a long-awaited feature that will dramatically change the look and feel of your iPhone.

When the upcoming software rollout of iOS 13 hits iPhone devices, users will be able to take advantage of Apple’s custom Dark Mode.

When activated, it will turn the light coloured interface in native Apple apps like Maps, Mail and Messages with a much darker design. The black background of Dark Mode consumes less battery, is said to be easier on the eyes and let’s face it, it just looks pretty cool.

Technically speaking, this is not a major feat from Apple. It’s a feature that has long been available on Android devices but it’s something Apple fans have been calling for - and now it’s official.

Speaking on stage at the company’s annual developers conference overnight, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi said Apple can’t wait for customers to see “how great everything looks in Dark Mode.”

Apple’s Siri to get a new voice

Apple’s iOS 13 is due to be available in September this year and will also include a new voice for the company’s digital helper, Siri.

The new voice relies on sophisticated software known as Nueral Text to Speech rather than relying on audio clips from voice actors like earlier versions. The result is a more natural and casual sounding voice. There is also a male voice option.

Unlike the old version of Siri, the iOS 13 voice is entirely generated by software, instead of using audio clips from voice actors

“iOS 13 brings new capabilities to the apps you use every day, with rich updates to Photos and Maps, and privacy-protecting features like Sign In with Apple, all while delivering faster performance,” Mr Federighi said.

iPad introduces multi window apps

Other announcements from the tech giant that drew excitement this morning included the fact that Apple has built a custom operating system for the iPad.

It is designed to offer much of the same iOS simplicity but comes with improvements aimed at boosting productivity, and promises to provide a more powerful experience. Among the updates is support for a mouse and a new home screen that allows you to pin apps to it like a desktop.

The feature that will excite most iPad users - especially those who rely on it for work - is support for multiple window apps. For example, with iPad OS you will be able to have two seperate windows of Apple’s Safari web browser operating side by side, which will no doubt improve productivity.

Apple’s giant cheese grater

Apple also debuted a complete redesign of its most powerful desktop computer marketed at professionals.

And as the internet was more than happy to point out, it unmistakably looks like a giant cheese grater.

Apple hasn’t announced local pricing yet but at $US5999 ($A8611), by the time you add a monitor and keyboard it will cost about the price of a small car.

It’s the first major redesign for the Mac Pro since Apple released a cylindrical design in 2013 that was dubbed by fans as a trash can.

The new Mac Pro features workstation-class Xeon processors up to 28 cores, a high-performance memory system with 1.5TB capacity, comes with a modular design to suite your needs and a graphics architecture featuring the world’s most powerful graphics card, Apple said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.