With Apple expected to release iOS 15 after announcing the iPhone 13 at tomorrow’s Special Event, we thought we’d take a look at some of the biggest changes and features coming with this year’s operation system update…
Stay connected with new FaceTime features
Perhaps one of the most relevant and topical changes coming to iOS 15 is FaceTime improvements, which introduce spatial audio for the first time. Apple says that this means voices will sound “as if they are coming from where the person is positioned on the screen,” and new microphone modes have been developed to separate voices from the background noise, all without requiring new hardware. For the first time, Portrait Mode arrives on FaceTime video calls, so that users can blur their background and make themselves the focus when catching up with loved ones or speaking to colleagues over a virtual meeting. For corporate customers, a new grid view allows users to see more faces at the same time, and for the first time, FaceTime calls go beyond the Mac, with users able to share links to FaceTime calls and video chats via Messages, mimicking Zoom’s ability to link to meetings.
Never get distracted again with Focus
With consumers spending more time on their devices than ever before, Apple made an effort to help reduce distractions and information overload in this year’s release. A new feature on iOS is Focus, which filters notifications and apps based on what a user wants to focus on. For example, if you’re at work, you can set up a Focus that will prioritize notifications from productivity apps like Calendar, Mail, and Slack, and have notifications from friends on Facebook deliver silently or not at all.
Get around the city faster with Apple Maps
Apple has worked extremely hard in recent years to make Apple Maps as compelling as its rivals’ alternatives, and this year it takes a major leap forward. Users can now experience significantly enhanced details in cities for neighborhoods, commercial districts, elevation, and buildings, new road colors and labels, custom-designed landmarks, and a new night-time mode with a moonlit glow, and whether you’re navigating a journey on iPhone or using CarPlay, Apple will now show you a stunning three-dimensional city-driving experience with more road details such as turn lanes, medians, bike lanes, and pedestrian crosswalks.
Have watch parties with your loved ones
For those who are still unable to see friends and family in the flesh due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, users will be able to share more experiences over SharePlay, so that movies, TV shows, and the music stays in sync, with shared playback controls. This service goes beyond Apple TV+ and is available for users who have Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Paramount+, Pluto TV, TikTok, Twitch, and other streaming services, too. It’s an alternative to apps like WatchParty, ideal for families, friends, and virtual get-togethers.
Browse til your heart’s content with Safari
Safari has been handed an update with controls that are easier to reach with one hand, and a new tab bar that’s lighter and more compact than before. Tab Groups are also coming, which allow users to access groups of websites at any time across iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Are you looking forward to iOS 15? Let us know and check back soon for the latest.
