Apple’s new iPhones may have been the focus of its big hardware event, but that didn’t stop the firm from slipping in one or two more software announcements at the end.
iOS 12, the next major version of iOS, is set to arrive on iPhones on September 17th, Apple announced.
In addition to iOS 12, Apple’s latest Mac operating system, Mojave, will be available the same day, along with watchOS 5, the latest software for the Apple Watch.
iOS 12, the next major version of iOS, is set to arrive on iPhones on September 17th, Apple announced. Apple’s macOS Mojave, as well as watchoS 5, will also arrive the same day
The new iOS 12, which has been available to beta users and developers since June, promises to pack a slew of improvements for iPhones and iPads from iOS 11.
With iOS 12, the big improvements are expected to be seen the most in older devices.
On older devices like the iPhone 6, it’s expected to help them perform up to 70 percent faster.
This should translate to apps launching and running faster, as well as speedier camera features and fewer glitches when entering text.
Apple’s new digital wellness tools have been hyped up just as much.
There’s a new Screen Time feature that tells users exactly how much they are using their device and allows them to block or limit specific apps.
iOS 12 has a new Screen Time feature that tells users exactly how much time they’re using their device. It also comes with AR Kit 2, an updated version of Apple’s AR platform for developers
The new iOS 12, which has been available to beta users and developers since Apple’s WWDC event in June, promises to pack a slew of improvements for iPhones and iPads from iOS 11
Users now have greater control over notifications, so that they’re grouped on the screen based on apps and topics.
What’s more, certain notifications can also be silenced from appearing on the lock screen.
An expanded Do Not Disturb feature allows users to wipe their notification screen clean before bedtime and when they wake up in the morning.
Users will also be able to create their own shortcuts for Siri, teaching it the phrases they want to use.
They can use a new ‘shortcuts’ app to create the shortcuts they use.
HOW WILL APPLE MAKE YOU USE YOUR PHONE LESS?
Apple today unveiled a major overhaul to ensure people use their phones less.
The features will be part of a free iOS 12 update available later this year, and include:
Screen Time
The Screen Time feature gives users greater control over how they spend their time on the phone, displaying insights into their weekly activity across various apps.
It shows users how much time their spending on apps, how their use breaks down through the day, how often they’re picking up their phone and more.
App Limits
Apple now lets users set time limits for specific apps.
Users can set their own limit and receive reminders letting you know time is almost up.
Users can set limits for individual apps within iOS 12, stopping them from being used at certain times of the day
Parental Controls
Parents can now easily view their child’s activity across devices in the Screen Time app.
There, they can view how their child is spending their time in specific apps, as well as set time limits for each app.
They can also set certain apps to always be on, such as the Phone app.
It can be managed remotely from an iPhone or an iPad.
Do Not Disturb
Apple is rolling out a new Do Not Disturb feature for bedtime that lets you wipe clean your notifications before going to bed.
Now, users will only see a blank screen and when they wake up in the morning, they’ll be greeted with simplified notifications, and they can tap when they want to see more.
Another new Do Not Disturb feature lets users set a timer for when they want it to expire.
Users will have better control of the downtime when they are not shown any notifications in the the new iOs 12 oftware
Notifications
Users can now ‘fine tune’ their notifications and change the settings so that specific notifications only show up in the notifications center and turn other notifications off altogether.
Siri will also suggest that users turn off some notifications if the user hasn’t opened the app in a while.
A new grouped notifications tool will categorize app notifications by apps and topics.
Users can swipe on a group of notifications and choose to view them later, removing them from the lock screen.
Siri has also got a major upgrade, and app developers will be able to use Siri for the first time.
Third-party apps will now be able to let users invoke Siri for commonly used tasks, much the way competing assistants from Google and Amazon long have.
It also comes with AR Kit 2, an upgraded version of Apple’s augmented reality platform for developers, that includes the ability to measure the size of real-world objects.
AR Kit 2 also features multiplayer game play.
There’s also new animojis like the T Rex, ghost, koala and tiger, in addition to the ability to create your own personalized Memoji, or a personalized emoji that looks just like you.
Users now have greater control over notifications, so that they’re grouped on the screen based on apps and topics. Certain notifications can be silenced from appearing on the lock screen
An expanded Do Not Disturb feature allows users to wipe their notification screen clean before bedtime and when they wake up in the morning. It also sets time limits for certain apps
Before installing iOS 12, users must make sure they have at least iOS 11 in order to gain access to iOS 12.
It’ll be available as a free download on your device, or you can sign up for Apple’s beta testing program today to get your hands on what’s likely to be identical to the official version being released next week.
However, as per usual, beta testers should make sure to back up their data in case the unofficial iOS 12 version has any bugs.
Of course, in addition to older devices, iOS 12 will be available for Apple’s newest trio of iPhones, which include the budget $749 iPhone XR, the $999 iPhone XS and the $1,099 iPhone XS Max.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE IPHONE XS AND XS MAX?
The iPhone XS and larger XS Max are Apple’s latest flagship devices.
The pair have a similar design and features to the existing iPhone X – including its much-hyped Face ID unlock system – with a few key additions.
They hit stores on September 21, 2018 with the iPhone XS priced at $999 (£999) and the XS Max a whopping $1,099 (£1,099).
Like the iPhone X, the XS has a 5.8-inch OLED screen, while the XS Max boasts a mammoth 6.5-inch OLED display.
For comparison, the iPhone XS Max is bigger even than the Galaxy Note 9, which spans 6.4 inches.
The XS and XS Max have dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a dual 7-megapixel selfie camera – just like the iPhone X.
Apple launched its iPhone XS and XS Max flagship devices at an event in San Francisco on September 12
Apple has bolstered the batteries loaded into each phone too.
It claims the iPhone XS runs for half an hour longer than last year’s X, while the XS Max lasts an additional 1.5 hours.
Apple’s newest phones feature faster processors and better memory capacities than their predecessor.
Both are loaded with Apple’s new A12 Bionic chip, which Apple claims runs run 15 per cent faster than the A11 chip in the iPhone X.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are shipping in 64GB, 256GB or 512GB — the largest in-built storage ever shipped on an Apple-branded smartphone.
They are available in gold, silver and space grey.