At the Apple WWDC 2022 keynote, today the company has announced iOS 16, which is the next big update for the mobile operating system. The Worldwide Developers Conference kickstarted today and will continue until June 10 with lots of in-depth sessions, activities, awards, etc for the developers and designers.
The iOS 16 update brings new features for the iOS lock screen, notification enhancements and new live activities. Further, the update will also bring three new features to the Message app including edit messages and undo messages. Check out all the newly announced iOS 16 features here.
iOS 16: Features
Lock screen
Starting off with the lock screen, Apple announced a customizable lock screen wallpaper gallery and customization options. You can start customizing the lock screen by long pressing on the lock screen. As for the customizations, you can change typefaces, colours, and wallpaper. Next, you can also add widgets to the lock screen.
Notifications
As for the notifications enhancements, with iOS 16, the notifications have been redesigned to roll up from the bottom, ensuring that users have a clear view of their personalized Lock Screen. Live activities make it easier to stay on top of the things which are happening in real-time (like live scores, ride-share, or food delivery orders). It can be handy for music and media playback as well.
Focus
Further, Focus which was introduced last year is now extended to the lock screen and widgets with an option to customize for work as well. To activate a Focus, users can simply swipe to the corresponding Lock Screen. With Focus filters, apps like Calendar, Mail, Messages, and Safari can display only the content that is relevant to a user’s Focus.
Message
Messages app is getting an edit message option, you can recall any message using the “undo send message” option inside the app. Finally, you can now make any thread as “unread” with iOS 16. In addition, SharePlay is coming to Messages as well.
Live Text
Live Text uses on-device intelligence to recognize text in images across iOS, and it is now expanding to include videos as well. Users can pause a video on any frame and interact with the text. Live Text also adds the ability for users to quickly convert currency, translate text, and more.
Maps
Apple Maps also received a bunch of new features. Firstly, the new version of the app includes features like cycling, look around, Multistop routing, and more. The new version of the Maps app will be available in Belgium, France, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and a few more nations (no India on the list).
Apple Pay Later
A new Apple Pay feature was also announced called the Apple Pay Later, which allows you to break down your purchases into 4 payments across 6 months with 0% interest.
Privacy Faetures
Lastly, in terms of privacy features, Apple’s Safety Check now includes protections that help victims of domestic violence. This new functionality will let users revoke location access or shared accounts in iCloud from abusive partners. Other features include Spacial audio with a true depth camera for iOS 16 devices, multilayered photos, schedule emails, resurface emails and more Memojis.
With iCloud users can choose to share existing photos from their personal libraries, or share based on a start date or people in the photos. In addition, users will get suggestions to share a photo that includes participants in the Shared Photo Library.
iOS 16: Everything Else
- CarPlay will offer content for multiple screens within the vehicle. Also, users will be able to personalize their driving experience by choosing different gauge cluster designs, weather and music right on their car’s dashboard.
- Safari gets shared Tab Groups to share a collection of websites with friends and family.
- With Passkeys (unique digital keys) on Safari, it makes the browser more secure.
- Siri adds the ability to run shortcuts as soon as an app is downloaded without requiring upfront setup.
iOS 16 Release Timeline and Devices
The iOS 16 developer beta will be available starting today and the public beta will be available later next month. The iOS 16 update will be available this fall (September – December) as a free software update for iPhone 8 and later iPhones.
