The biggest argument I've heard in support of side-loading and third-party app stores for iOS is:

I'm paying over $1,000 for my device. I should have the right to do whatever I want with it!

While I do agree with that sentiment, I firmly believe that would only lead to a shitty path for iOS. Marco Arment perfectly illustrates my my same sentiments:

I don’t expect side-loading or alternative app stores to become possible, and I’m relieved, because that is not a future I want for iOS.

When evaluating such ideas, I merely ask myself:

“What would Facebook do?”

Facebook owns four of the top ten apps in the world. If side-loading became possible, Facebook could remove Instagram, WhatsApp, the Facebook app, and Messenger from Apple’s App Store, requiring customers to install these extremely popular apps directly from Facebook via side-loading.

And everyone would.

And then:

Alternative app stores would be even worse. Rather than offering individual apps via side-loading, Facebook could offer just one:

The Facebook App Store.

Instagram, WhatsApp, the Facebook app, and Messenger could all be available exclusively there.

The majority of iOS users in the world would soon install it, and Facebook would start using leverage in other areas — apps’ social accounts, stats packages, app-install ads, ad-attribution requirements — to heavily incentivize (and likely strong-arm) a huge number of developers to offer their apps in the Facebook App Store, likely in addition to Apple’s.

Maybe I’d be required to add the Facebook SDK to my app in order to be in their store, which they would then use to surveil my users.

Maybe I’d need to buy app-install ads to show up in search there at all.

Maybe I’d need to pay Facebook to “promote” each app update to reach more than a tiny percentage of my existing customers.

This would be true for any conglomerate, including Amazon and Google. But I'm specifically concerned about Facebook.

We all know how much Zuckerberg hates Apple for implementing so many tracking-prevention measures that harms Facebook's business model. There's no doubt in my mind that Facebook would leverage its apps against Apple.

I support this.

At the very, very least, Apple needs to allow developers to offer alternative payment options:

• all in-app purchases must offer a Pay with iTunes option
• the Pay with iTunes button must be more prominent than any other payment option

iOS 14's "Live Tile" inspired widgets makes a lot of sense for AR.

If we're going to wear AR glasses for long periods of time, floating glanceable data that you can tap on for more info/interaction is more efficient than bouncing between apps in a floating grid of app icons.

And then when you're back at home or at the office, virtual monitors could theoretically replace the need for actual monitors.

The next big thing in email is here! I haven't been this excited about email since Gmail.

My favorite features?

• ability to classify unimportant emails into The Feed
• ability to merge different email into your own threads
• ability to rename emails, threads
• permalinks for each email, email thread, and person
• enable/disable notifications on the per thread or per person basis
• ability to add stickies to emails and threads
• ability add Notes to Self in emails and threads

And as a web developer, this is by far my favorite web app ever. In a world where React and full-on javascript apps have taken over the internet, this is a refreshing take on static HTML with just the right amount of javascript to feel delightful and efficient.

Here's a quick rundown of my favorite updates announced at Apple's annual WWDC.

tvOS

• Xbox One and PS4 controller support for games

watchOS 6

• watchOS App Store => Apple Watch Independence!
• streaming support
• menstrual cycle tracking

iOS 13

• system-wide dark mode
• built-in swipe typing
• Maps: favorites, collections, street view
• up to 30% faster Face ID
• up to 2x faster app launch
• Sign in with Apple button — privacy-focused version of "Sign in with Facebook/Twitter/Google"
• HomeKit Secure Video — store videos from HomeKit cameras to iCloud
• HomeKit support for routers
• iMessage Profiles — add your own display name, avatar. Only people in your contacts can see this.
• Memoji — makeup, hats, piercings
• Memoji stickers — automatically turns your memoji into a sticker pack with all standard emoji facial expressions
• Video editing in Photos app
• dual iCloud accounts per device (for personal and work)
• smaller volume HUD — changing volume doesn't bring the stupid dialog in the middle of the screen

Siri

• auto-announce messages on AirPods
• audio sharing — play your music on a friend's AirPods
• Music HandOff to HomePod — music on your iPhone will continue on your HomePod with a physical tap
• live radio stations on HomePod
• Siri Shortcut Events — automatically run shortcuts based on an event
• Voice ID for HomePod => multi-user support

iPadOS 13

• multiple windows for the same app
• easily switching Slide Over apps
• App Exposé
• Safari: download manager
• third-party font management
• built in Zip/Unzip files
• three-finger swipe gesture to undo/redo
• mouse support (hidden as accessibility option)
• iCloud Folder Sharing
• network drives support in Files app
• USB/SD drives support in Files app

Mac Pro

• starts at $5,999
• $4,999 - $5,999 for 32" monitor
• $999 for monitor stand (LOL)

macOS Catalina

• Project Catalyst and SwiftUI— an easy way for developers to make apps for ALL of Apple's platforms! The future of the Apple ecosystem.
• SideCar — wirelessly use your iPad as a second monitor
• full voice control
• Find My - combines Find My iPhone, Find My Friends into one app. WORKS WITH OFFLINE DEVICES
• Activation Lock — like iOS, if someone steals your MacBook, you can lock it down so they cannot format your computer.
• approve with Apple Watch — like Unlock with Apple Watch but for EVERYTHING

ARKit 3

• people inclusion — people are detected in real-time and AR elements can visibly work around people
• motion capture for people