Are you curious about Apple’s newest mobile operating system, iOS 16? With new features like ARKit 2 and Siri Shortcuts, iOS 16 promises to completely change the way we interact with our devices.
In this guide, we’ll explore the new features and changes that iOS 16 brings and explain why these changes matter to you.
So, if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest mobile technology, read on to find out what Apple has in store for their newest OS!
The next-generation version of iOS was unveiled on June 6 at WWDC.
- The public should be able to download Apple’s upcoming iOS 16 updates in September.
- Widgets and lock screen customization Filters for Live Activities and Focus iCloud Photo Library Shared Tab Groups and Passkeys Enhancements to Live Text, Visual Lookup, and Dictation Messages, Mail, Home, Health, Wallet, Maps, and other apps have been updated.
Features of iOS 16: Innovations and First Impressions
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The long-awaited mobile operating system update.
Following Apple’s presentation, I felt compelled to download and evaluate the updated iOS 16. Even though this is only the first beta version, the vastly improved lock screen is a watershed moment.
Tested the system for various devices to see how well it worked. Tried the iPhone 13, the iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 8 Plus. Beta standards accept it, but numerous system bugs are associated with changing wallpaper and design elements. The phones are hot and dull at this point, but it is bearable if you do not venture into those points. In any case, the main goal is to try out what is available, not to criticize the raw software.
We will see where things take us; the release is still a few months away, and Apple can add or remove features, as we all know.
iOS 16 has been released with redesigned widgets, expanded Apple Pay features, and a hint of Apple Car.
How to Download and Install iOS 16
- iOS 16 is currently in beta testing to allow Apple time to perfect the update, address any bugs, and give developers time to prepare their apps.
- iOS 16 is now available to developers with compatible devices, with a public beta coming in July.
- Installing iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 Beta How to Revert from iOS 16 to iOS 15 The update is not expected to be widely available until later this year.
Current Version
- Apple has made two beta versions of iOS 16 available to developers.
- The first public beta version has yet to be released.
- Developer beta two added the ability to backup to iCloud over LTE and junk SMS message reporting for some US carriers.
Lock Screen Redesign
- The iPhone’s Lock Screen has been completely redesigned in iOS 16, with widgets, customization options, a brand-new location and animation for notifications, and a brand-new system for real-time “Live Activities.”
The Ability to Customize the Lock Screen
Apple has boldly redesigned the lock screen, including font and color customization, redesigned wallpapers, and widgets. The animated wallpaper is fine, but the emoji wallpaper is out of this world. Following Android, iOS transitions from stylistic unity to design freedom. Amazing. The fonts are not to everyone’s taste, but there is still hope they will do something with them before the release.
Given that they discovered a reference to Always On mode in the code of iOS 16, it is likely that the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will display data from widgets while in standby mode. You can only see auxiliary information by “waking up” the smartphone on the other devices.
Always-On Display was mentioned in the iOS 16 betas.
They hope third-party app developers will support the initiative and provide us with a slew of new dynamic widgets.
Everything appears in order, but why can’t the flashlight and camera quick launch icons be changed? They did not do it.
Enhanced Focus Modes
- When setting up a Focus mode, iOS 16 suggests Home Screen and Lock Screen configurations with relevant apps, wallpapers, and widgets. Users can directly tie an Apple Watch face to a specific Focus.
- Focus mode setup has also been improved, with a personalized setup experience for each choice.
- Focus filters are one of the most significant additions to Focus on iOS 16.
Controls are easily accessible.
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As the diagonals increase, iOS becomes less and less usable: controls in older systems are in the middle or at the top. They are now moved lower, making it easier to switch between the same tracks in “Music.” Notifications are also pushed to the bottom, where they are neatly grouped. You can also view the number of messages or enable the list.
There is a search bar at the bottom of the screen, which is a big plus for those who use it often. And the search engine is now trained to work with text, including Ukrainian. You can type a few words, and the phone will retrieve the documents.
We could not believe Apple had taught the keyboard to vibrate while typing, but it did. Apple’s vibration motor is fantastic; the feel is now correct. However, quick swipe input in Ukrainian is still not supported. Put “Yandex Keyboard” as an option.
The iPhone 13’s Face ID works in horizontal mode as well. I tried it on the 11 Pro, but everything was the same.
Collaboration and communication
- The Messages Collaboration API is used by Freeform to see updates from collaborators in Messages conversations, and users can start a FaceTime call directly from Freeform.
- Mail Users can schedule emails ahead of time and cancel the delivery of a message up to ten seconds before it reaches a recipient’s inbox.
- Mail can detect if a user forgets to include an essential part of their message, such as an attachment. Remind Later allows you to resurface messages at any time.
Photographs and cameras
Photographs and Cinematic Mode
- On the iPhone 13 models, Portrait mode allows you to blur objects in the foreground of a photo for a more realistic-looking depth-of-field effect.
- The depth-of-field effect is more correct for profile angles and around the edges of hair and glasses when recording videos in Cinematic mode on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.
Photos App
- The Photos app now includes duplicate detection to help you quickly clean up libraries by finding the same photos in albums.
- Users can copy and paste edits made to a photo onto another photo or a batch of pictures and can undo and redo multiple edit steps.
- People in the People album can be sorted alphabetically, and the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are locked by default. They can be unlocked using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
iCloud Photo Library Shared
- The iCloud Shared Photo Library allows up to six family members to access photos in a separate iCloud library.
- Every user in the Shared Photo Library can add, cut, edit, or favorite the shared photos or videos in their Memories and Featured Photos.
- Users can choose to share existing photos from their libraries based on a start date or the people in the images using smart setup rules.
Concentration
In iOS 16, there are more auxiliary modes where you can configure notifications from apps and people. In iOS 15, I did not use them much. I usually have a silent mode enabled because the ringtones on my phone in 2022 are simply annoying. As a result, the vibration travels through the clock. That is the extent of the magic. At night, the beat is turned off in the “Do not disturb” mode.
However, everyone is free to adjust, especially now that the focus mode and lock screen settings can be linked. The notification style and set of applications will then change depending on the situation.
Apple Pay and Wallet
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Order Tracking for Apple Pay
- Apple Pay Order Tracking allows users to receive detailed receipts and order tracking information for Apple Pay purchases made with participating merchants directly in the Wallet app.
Digital IDs and keys
- Furthermore, users can securely share their home, hotel, office, and car keys in Wallet via messaging apps such as Messages, Mail, WhatsApp, and others.
- The Wallet app makes it simple to manage necessary permissions.
Apple Pay Later
- Users can sign up for Apple Pay Later while using Apple Pay or in the Wallet app.
- Apple Pay Later is available wherever Apple Pay is accepted online or in-app if the Mastercard network is used.
Health and Fitness
- Health Medications have been added to the health app. This allows users to create and manage a medication list easily, develop schedules and reminders, and log and track their medications, vitamins, or supplements with custom visuals.
- Users can use interactive charts to see when they have taken their medications and gain insight into medication adherence.
- In the United States, users can point their iPhone camera at a label to add and read about a medication.
Reminders and Notes
- Users can automatically organize notes using powerful and flexible filters such as Date Created, Date Modified, Shared, Mentions, Checklists, Attachments, Folder, Quick Notes, Pinned Notes, and Locked Notes.
- Reminders Pinnable lists are now available in Reminders, allowing users to access their favorite lists quickly.
- Grouping reminders from time and date makes viewing and adding them easier.
Visual and Live Text Lookup
- Users can pause a video at any point and interact with the text using functions such as copy and paste.
- Data detected in photos and videos can be used to track flights or shipments, translate foreign languages, convert currencies, and more with a single tap.
- Visual Look Up expands on photos with a streamlined feature that allows users to tap and hold about an image to isolate it from the background. This will enable users to drag it across to apps such as Messages.
Dictation and Siri
- Users can easily send emojis, choose to send messages automatically, skip the confirmation step, and hang up the phone, and FaceTime calls hands-free by saying, “Hey Siri, hang up.” Users can learn about Siri capabilities in iOS 16 and apps by asking, “Hey Siri, what can I do here?” And inquiring about specific apps.
- In iOS 16, Siri can manage more requests without an internet connection, including Home Control (Home Kit), Intercom, and Voicemail.
- Dictation offers a novel experience that allows users to switch between voice and touch easily.
Other Enhancements and Features
- Contacts display friends’ Game Center profiles, allowing users to tap through to see what they are up to in games.
- Contacts now show whether you have unread messages from a specific contact.
- The unread message banner is only available on the Contacts app’s medium and large-sized widgets.
iOS 16 Compatible Devices
- See the list of compatible devices below: SE iPhone (2022) 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max The iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Plus, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone SE (2020) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max The iPhone 11 Pro iPhone XS Max iPhone 11 iPhone XS Max The iPhone XR iPhone 8 Plus iPhone X iPhone 8.
Release Date for iOS 16
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- Following the beta testing period, Apple is expected to release iOS 16 in the fall, in September, just in time for the launch of the upcoming iPhone lineup.
iOS 16: Compatibility
- Apple warns that the enhanced Live Captions accessibility feature, for example, is available on iPhone 11 and later. In contrast, Door Detection and People Detection rely on the LiDAR scanner on the iPhone 12 Pro and later.
- This is a significant improvement over last year.
- Apple announced at WWDC 2021 that iOS 15 would support old models such as the iPhone 6s (2015) and first-generation SE (2016).
Future updates are expected.
- Some regular updates and brand-new features were not announced today, but they may appear later this year.
Always-on display
- No always-on display feature was included with those phones, but rumors claimed the part was being evaluated for iOS 16.
- There is evidence that an always-on display will be available on iPhones in 2022, at least on the next-generation iPhone 14 models.
- Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young tweeted that he “expects” Apple to use an LPTO display that reduces the refresh rate to 1Hz when not in use (the iPhone 13’s OLED display drops to 10Hz).
Various Tests
Try to remove duplicates and unwanted shots occasionally, but I am usually too lazy to clear the memory. IOS will do everything for you: it will detect duplicates, move them to a separate album, and cut anything unnecessary.
Photos and videos can now be uploaded to a separate album in iCloud, making it easier to share with family members. Up to six people can share their thoughts, uploading content manually and automatically. As a result, the favorite aunt will always get a picture in which she appears.
An object can be cut out using the built-in Photo app. You do not need any additional software to accomplish this. You can now copy edits from one photo to another through the built-in editing tool in iOS. It comes in handy when you have corrected colors and want to apply the same style to multiple photos without using an editor like Darkroom.
The AirPods headphones section was moved from the menu of connected Bluetooth devices to the main menu. It is unclear why they did it. Do people need to know how the AirPods are doing all the time?
Quick Notes are also available on iOS: add an icon to the “Control Panel,” and you can quickly write a brief note. The feature is helpful because it saves you time searching for the app.
A fantastic innovation: iOS will detect duplicate contacts. Seriously, it will make it easier to organize your phone book.
You can set a timer in the email client to send emails and cancel them if necessary. You can cancel messages and edit content in iMessage in the same way. And if you accidentally cut the correspondence, you could recover it within 30 days.
Live Text works with both text and video; you can translate texts directly from the clips into Ukrainian. Or, instead of dialing by hand, take a picture of a phone number and then call it.
You can translate the text into Ukrainian by pointing the camera at it.
Apple has made it easier to transfer from an old iPhone to a newly purchased one. You do not have to contact a support representative. At least in theory, but I am not sure how it will work in Russia.
Workouts previously needed a watch, but now it will be possible to work out without an Apple Watch. The “Fitness” app will collect data using the iPhone’s sensors.
Access to the section that has hidden and recently deleted photos is only possible with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID.
In addition, the home app for managing connected appliances has been redesigned.
The Wi-Fi password is another helpful feature. You can now see the secret code once connected to the network. When you need to share the password with someone else, you do not have to ask a cafe employee, a friend, or a guest.
According to Apple, passkeys are digital keys that can be created locally and protected by Face ID.
Ventura is available in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, TVs 16, and macOS 16. Apple is phasing out passwords for security reasons.
Apple Pay options are limited in Russia, but users in the United States can use the installment service Apple Pay Later. In this case, the purchase must be paid for within six weeks in four equal payments. There will be no interest or fees in this case.
iOS 16 impacts other Products, and Will an Apple car be produced after all?
While AVTOVAZ begins selling cars without ABS and airbags, harkening back to the days of self-driving strollers, Apple is preparing US customers to transition to a revised system control interface.
AVTOVAZ began manufacturing the LADA Granta Classic without airbags or ABS.
It will be exciting to see how iOS 16 will look on the screens of the next-generation cars that will be released in a year. While Car Play was previously responsible for music, navigation, and communication, Apple is now “turning off” the interface for automakers.
Impressions
The final verdict on iOS 16: after trying the first beta version, there is no point. We should wait for the release and walk around for a few weeks but seeing what pleased Apple this year was interesting.
The differences between iOS 15 and iOS 16 are noticeable; previously, there was no such freedom of customization, let alone minor but useful interface tweaks and enhanced features. Manufacturers of devices like to talk about an improved user experience after an update—in the case of iOS 16, playing with the wallpaper is unlikely to produce the wow effect.
However, if you do not intend to buy a new iPhone, you can refresh your old one. Here is a seriously refined Android lock screen based on the Android platform that can add positive emotions to boring wallpaper.
Is it better to install the beta now or wait? I would not test them on my primary device if I did not have backup iPhones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, iOS 16 has many helpful features that will help you stay organized, keep track of your finances, and manage your day-to-day tasks. With these valuable tools, you will never miss another deadline or forget to pay your bills again.
But that is not all. iOS 16 also brings several improvements to the camera app, including a brand-new feature called Live Photos. This allows you to capture moments like birthdays, vacations, and anniversaries in stunning detail without worrying about taking a photo. You can even use the Live Photo feature to create videos that look exactly like the photos.
And that is not all. There are also updated emoji characters, a redesigned App Store, and a bunch of other changes that we have not even touched on. So, whether you want to organize your schedule, check your bank account balance, or add a bit of flair to your selfies, iOS 16 is here to help.
