Apple has previewed the upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 at the WWDC 2022. The new software is expected to introduce various features such as re-imagined Lock Screen, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Stage Manager and updates to both Mail and Messages to compatible iPhones and iPads. Both software models will be available later this year as a free update for eligible devices.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!iOS 16
Lock Screen, Focus, Apple Pay Later and More
The upcoming iOS 16 will deliver a new and reimagined Lock Screen to iPhones. Users will be able to create, customise and personalise different elements of the lock screen to their preference. The wallpaper can be customised with complementing filters, backgrounds, colour and font for the date and time. Apple has also introduced a new wallpaper gallery to inspire options, added widgets to the lock screen and users can create multiple lock screens for different purposes.
Notifications has been redesigned to roll in from the bottom of the lock screen and with Live Activities, users can stay up to date with real-time events such as a live game score, track the progress of an Uber ride and play/control music. Focus has also been extended to the lock screen, allowing users to dedicate a lock screen (wallpaper and widgets) to a particular focus activity and with Focus Filters, certain apps will only show relevant content to the activated Focus mode.
There are also enhanced intelligence and communication features such as Edit, Undo Send and Mark Conversations as Unread in Messages; SharePlay in Messages; new dictation features that allows switching between voice and touch; and Live Text in Video. Wallet has added Apple Pay Order Tracking to track purchases made through Apple Pay and Apple Pay Later for users to make payments in four equal instalments. There is also expanded support for Keys in Wallet.
Other highlighted iOS features include the addition of multistep routing to Apple Maps, updates to Family Sharing, iCloud Shared Photo Library, improved search in Mail, new Safety Check in Settings to access and reset the permissions granted to others and support for the new Matter smart home connectivity standard, which allows smart accessories to connect across platforms.
iPadOS 16
Stage Manager, iCloud Shared Photo Library and More
There are new ways in Messages to collaborate and manage shared content across Apple apps such as Files, Notes, Pages, and Safari, as well as third-party apps. A new app called FreeForm, available later this year on iOS, iPadOS and macOS, will provide the necessary tools to collaborate and brainstorm ideas live on a FaceTime call.
Stage Manager takes the versatility and multitasking on the iPad to another level and supports full external display support. The feature organises apps and windows, making it easy to access them whilst focusing on the one in use. It also brings overlapping windows to the iPad for the first time and unlocks the full capability of the full external display with support for up to 6K resolution and work with up to 8 apps simultaneously.
With iPadOS 16, the iPad will also get the best of iOS 16 and macOS Ventura features such as Shared Photo Library, Shared Tab Groups and Passkeys in Safari, various updates to Mail and Weather is also coming to the iPad, taking advantage of the fullscreen.