Apple iOS 15 is now out! At WWDC 2021, Apple's biggest software event of the year, the software took centre stage. iOS 15 will be available for public beta testing in July, and the final version will be released in September or October alongside the new iPhone 13 models. So, what are the major highlights of iOS 15? Read on to find.
Compatibility
Device compatibility is the first and most significant feature of iOS 15. The iPhone 6s and later, as well as the first-generation iPhone SE, will be compatible with the next version of iOS. The 7th generation iPod Touch will also be compatible with iOS15.
Notifications
Notifications will also undergo significant modifications in iOS 15. Apple is changing the look of notifications to make them more visible, including making app icons larger. Notification Summary is a new approach that allows you to group together many alerts and view them in a single tile rather than a long string.
The systemwide DND mode will now display a ‘away' state, letting senders know that the recipient will not be notified right away. In the event of an emergency, there is an option to override this. Finally, users will be able to prioritise which notifications they receive for a certain selection of apps using "Focus" profiles.
iMessage
With the messaging app market becoming more competitive, it's only logical that Apple has made some modest changes to iMessage, its own texting service. You may now swipe through photographs without taking up the entire screen by doing so directly from the preview. You'll be able to add fast reactions to photos and view them in a grid as well. Users will also be able to pin a message to the top of the threads. In addition iMessage will support new ways to share content with the new ‘Shared with You’ feature that is available in Apple News, Music, Photos, Safari, Podcasts, and the Apple TV app.
FaceTime
FaceTime is getting a major update as well, with spatial audio and a scheduled call function. FaceTime will also be available on Google Android and Microsoft Windows devices via a browser. FaceTime's spatial audio function is meant to make it "more natural, comfortable, and real." FaceTime is also getting a new SharePlay functionality.
Wallet
Apple Wallet will now include Ultra-Wideband technology to operate with smart car keys, allowing customers to start their car without having to take their iPhone out of their pocket. Some states in the United States will also enable users to add their Identity Cards to Wallet, allowing them to be used to pass security checkpoints.
Maps
With iOS 15, Siri Knowledge will enable recognition of landmarks and items in the Gallery. Apple Maps will receive more detailed maps in select cities as well as help with AR positioning and directions. It will also support 3D layered paths for walking navigation. Transit navigation will work with Apple Watch to display the next step in your journey.
Live Text
Apple is gearing up to take on Google Lens with a new feature called Live Text. This feature will use AI to recognize text in photos through Apple’s Camera app. Live Text will allow users to turn photos of recipes or instruction into digitizing text without having to type it all out.This is hardly a new feature for smartphones as Google and Samsung already have similar tools.
Weather
Finally, the Weather app will gain some new features, including data and layouts that change dependent on conditions, as well as graphic variations to assist users grasp wind, UV, and barometric pressure data. Temperatures, precipitation, and air quality will be represented on high-resolution weather maps as well.
