Apple has announced iOS 15, the newest version of its mobile operating system, at WWDC 2021. The software will eventually replace iOS 14 on compatible iPhone models, and adds new features and several changes to the overall look. There’s a lot to go through, so settle down and see what’s coming to an iPhone near you soon.
Sharing is caring
Apple knows how important video calls and messaging are today, and it has announced a variety of new features around both FaceTime and Messages, all built around SharePlay. SharePlay is about listening, watching, and sharing together with friends and family. For example, during a FaceTime call you can simply press play in Apple Music and listen to a song together, all synced up right from the start. Anyone on the call can play or pause, giving everyone control over the entertainment.
This also works with video, which can be streamed to an Apple TV at the same time, while always remaining in sync for callers. Apple’s SharePlay API will bring SharePlay to different apps, with Disney+, Hulu, HBOMax, Twitch, and TikTok all among the partners onboard. It’s also possible to share your iPhone’s screen with people on a call, letting everyone browse the web, or even provide advice on how to change a setting.
Shared With You works throughout the iPhone, from Photos, News, and Podcasts to Safari, where you can share articles, songs, and photos with friends as a Message. Photos integrates shared photos from friends who have added you to friends and family on iCloud, and iOS 15 will sort photos with you in them and place them in your Gallery. News shared with you in this way is placed at the top of your list, and reminds you who sent you the story.
Notifications
Notifications in iOS 15 are changing a lot. The biggest visual change is the Notification Summary, a block shown on the lock screen with all your notifications ordered by priority for a cleaner, more useful look. To make sure you don’t miss anything important, the Summary separates notifications from people from those which can be addressed later, such as app reminders. It uses on-device intelligence to assess which apps you interact with often, and what’s important to you, to help prioritize.
The new Focus feature enhances the Notification Summary even further. You have the option to select your mindset — work, personal, sleep, and Do Not Disturb — so iOS 15 can prioritize notifications based on your circumstance. New widgets for the home screen let you see the notifications in your Focus mode. It can even be set to a location, and once you set your status, it automatically applies across all connected Apple devices. Throughout the notification system in iOS 15, look out for larger icons for apps and clearer text to make it easier to see what’s new and important.
Although iOS 15 is now official, it won’t be publicly released until later this year. As with other years, expect a public beta of the software to be released before the final version becomes available though. The event is ongoing, and more about iOS 15 is being announced, so check back very soon to see all the latest details.