Yesterday saw the long-awaited public release of iOS 9, the new major update to the iOS operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. iOS 9 comes with a number of exciting new features, including more proactive intelligence, an in-built News app and, for iPad, various multitasking functions.
The beefed-up intelligence means that iOS 9 can provide useful information and suggestions at particular times of day, based on what apps are used frequently and when. Greater intelligence has also been vested in that ever-present virtual assistant, Siri. Siri has been redesigned in iOS 9 and can now provide reminders based on time and location.
In-built apps that have changed in iOS 9 include Notes, in which the user can now quickly draw sketches with their finger and make checklists. Then there’s the all-new News app, which can source news articles from over 50 publishers and hundreds of publications and present relevant content based on the user’s interests.
Many iPad users, meanwhile, can now enjoy extra multitasking features designed just for these devices. Slide Over, for instance, permits use of a second app without leaving the first, while Picture-in-Picture allows a video or FaceTime call to continue even as other apps are used.
iOS 9 has been met with positive critical reactions. The Guardian has enthused that it is “the best iOS yet” and “as fast and works as well on an iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 as iOS 8”. TechRadar has reported that iOS 9 is “smarter and leaner” and, overall, “much better than its predecessor”.