Apple announced a number of updates to how people communicate using iPhones, starting with the addition of protective face coverings as an option on Memojis.

The announcement came during the opening keynote speech of Apple's annual developer conference, the WWDC, which was staged online on June 22 for the first time as a result of the pandemic.

Touting the virtual face masks as "something that's even more relevant today”, Apple's Stacey Lysik also pointed to other changes to Memojis, including "more age options”, as well as other hairstyles and headwear.

Memojis - Apple's animated avatars that can share distinct facial expressions based on the user's face - have grown increasingly complex and diverse with each iOS update.

Apple also said the next version of its iOS operating system would allow users to pin certain conversations to the top of their messages list, something already familiar to users of WhatsApp and Telegram.

You'll also be able to customise conversations by setting a group photo using an image or emoji, Apple said.

When getting a phone call, the incoming call screen will no longer take over your entire display, but will appear as a smaller, less obtrusive notification on top of what you're doing.

 - dpa