iOS fifteen: Playing the expectations game

With iOS xiv.v almost to drop and WWDC 2021 just around the corner, what is the speculation concerning iOS xv?

Apple, iOS, iOS 15, iPhone, iPad, WWDC, Mobile

iOS fourteen.v is about to drop and WWDC 2021 is merely weeks abroad, and so it seems this is a proficient moment to consider what's next for Apple's mobile systems.

iPad widgets and Home screen

Every bit recently noted here, Apple is expected to brand a few changes to widgets and Abode screen layouts on iPads. Principally, users will be able to place widgets anywhere on the iPad Dwelling house screen, rather than only in the Today View cavalcade. You'll also exist able to supercede all the apps on your Home page with widgets. And expect some changes to the lock screen also.

New icon designs

Apple has altered the icon designs for 3 of its less widely used apps: Apple Music for Artists; App Store Connect; and the Apple Developers apps. All three now await more 3D, embossed, with icons surrounded past a thin lozenge-shaped edge. These revamped icons may suggest a new design language for iOS, specially equally the aforementioned blueprint lexicography is visible in macOS Big Sur.

The last major iOS UI design took place in 2009.

Notifications changes

Enterprise users may similar the improved notification controls, which get more responsive to status. Bloomberg recently claimed the OS will introduce more granular notification controls. These may include a little intelligence, and so your device may non outcome an incoming notification chime in the upshot you have gear up your status to driving, working, sleeping, or other custom categories.

Automated message responses

These changes to notifications could extend to bulletin response. This means you'll be able to create automated message responses that will be sent to others if you are contacted while working, sleeping, or involved in other activities divers by the user.

At present, iOS volition but share an automated response when the user is driving. Automated bulletin responses and notification changes should be of use to anyone trying to focus on getting piece of work washed.

Control Center gets a picayune similar Large Sur

The Command Center is expected to see a redesign that makes it more than consequent with Command Center on Big Sur.

Apple vs. Facebook

As Facebook continues to dilute privacy in WhatsApp, Apple may move to make iMessage a more than effective competitor to the service. This would extend to conversation flows that act more like social network chats rather than messages.

Much more information on app privacy

Apple tree's improved privacy menu will show users which apps are collecting data about them, a move that should brand it much easier to identify apps that attempt to undermine Apple'due south App Tracking Transparency rules.

This should be a welcome step, as it will make it much easier to identify developers prepared to disrespect customers past failing to disembalm their privacy practices in transparent manner. It will also be of value to enterprises putting together approved-app policies.

Dual biometrics?

A somewhat dubious claim suggests iOS 15 will support dual biometric hallmark for hereafter devices, offer both Touch and Face up ID. Conceivably this would allow users to demand both authentication methods are in place concurrently, and might also let them to favor i above the other, such every bit when using Apple Pay while wearing a mask.

What devices will it support?

iOS fifteen is currently expected to abandon support for iPhone 6S, 6S Plus and the concluding generation iPhone SE. The software may no longer support iPad Air ii and the 5th-generation iPad and iPad mini. One time the Os is announced, you'll be able to cheque their status here.

Pro apps for pro iPads?

iPad critics accept always been able to use the argument that Apple doesn't offer its pro apps — Final Cut Pro Ten, Logic Pro, and Xcode — to iPad users, not even on the iPad Pro.

Might this exist about to change?

Information technology's possible, at least for the latest M1-powered iPad Pro. All iii apps take already been made native to run on M1-powered Macs, and while the architecture of both platforms is slightly different and retention requirements may limit what y'all can do with the apps when run on an iPad, the fact both machines run the same processor surely makes this more than likely.

Adobe, meanwhile, says it is working to ensure its apps run natively on Apple tree's M1 computers — and its experience developing Photoshop for M1 Macs surely shows what'southward possible using Apple tree Silicon.

My accept? One matter you need for a pro device is pro apps, and the opportunity to build those apps for iPad Pro has never seemed greater.

What Apple tree is saying

Apple isn't discussing the future of its operating systems withal and won't do so until WWDC starts on June seven. The company, however, is foreshadowing a little of its strategy. Marketing Vice President Greg Joswiak points out that every bit Apple makes its devices more powerful it creates opportunities for developers.

"When nosotros created the very kickoff iPad Pro, there was no Photoshop. There were no creative apps that could immediately employ it. But at present there's so many you tin can't count. Considering we created that adequacy, we created that functioning — and, past the way, sold a fairly massive number of them — which is a pretty adept combination for developers to then come in and say, 'I can have advantage of that.' There's plenty customers here, and there'due south enough performance. I know how to use that. And that'due south the same matter we do with each generation. We create more headroom to performance that developers will effigy out how to employ."

We'll find out much more about this — and the APIs Apple tree intends to empower its developers to innovate with — at WWDC.

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Jonny is a freelance writer who has been writing (mainly about Apple and technology) since 1999.

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