uikit updates in 2024 wwdc

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced several updates to UIKit, particularly for iOS 18. Here are some of the key enhancements:

1. Document Launch Experience: There's a redesigned launch experience for document-based apps, allowing for more control over launch views and support for template document creation. This helps in creating a distinctive identity for apps and provides a seamless browsing experience.

2. Tab Bars and Sidebars: Major updates have been made to tabs and sidebars. UIKit now includes new APIs to better describe app hierarchies to UITabBarController, and changes to UITab instances are reflected immediately. This is complemented by a new syntax in SwiftUI for TabView to catch common errors at build time.

3. Fluid Transitions: iOS 18 introduces new fluid transitions across the system, enhancing the sense of continuity in apps by keeping UI elements on screen during transitions.

4. SwiftUI and UIKit Interoperability: There are improvements in the interoperability between SwiftUI and UIKit, making it easier to use them interchangeably. You can now use SwiftUI animation types to animate UIKit views, allowing for fluid gesture-driven animations.

5. Apple Pencil Pro Integration: New features for integrating drawing experiences with Apple Pencil Pro have been added, including support for the squeeze gesture to switch tools or show the picker, and updates to feedback generators.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the session What’s new in UIKit (00:07) which covers these updates comprehensively.