Apple announces iOS 15 update with cross-platform FaceTime calls, focused notifications, SharePlay and new privacy controls
Apple announced iOS 15, the next main software program update for iPhones through its virtual Worldwide Developer Conference or WWDC 2021 opening keynote occasion on Monday. With the new update, the iPhone maker is bringing a slew of new features to FaceTime which includes cross-platform calls and what it is calling “shared” experiences, notifications that will seemingly enable customers to “focus”, and more “intelligence” to photographs although adding new “privacy” controls to Siri, Mail and more to strengthen its commitment to safeguard their private information.
The developer preview of iOS 15 is now accessible to Apple Developer Program members, and a public beta will be accessible in July. The final version will be rolled out for all iPhones, iPhone 6S and above, sometime in September.
“iOS 15 helps users stay connected while sharing experiences in real time, gives them new tools to help reduce distraction and find focus, uses intelligence to enhance the photos experience, and, with huge upgrades to Maps, brings new ways to explore the world,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, mentioned.
Here’s a swift look at all the prime features coming to your iPhone with iOS 15 update:
FaceTime updates
In a 1st, FaceTime calls will be accessible for all customers via the internet on iOS 15. This suggests iPhone, iPad, and Mac customers will be capable to develop hyperlinks for FaceTime calls and share them with any person via text or third-party immediate messaging apps like WhatsApp. Android and Windows customers will be capable to access these calls from their internet browsers. Apple says FaceTime calls on the internet will stay private or finish-to-finish encrypted.
Apple is also adding spatial audio and new microphone modes which includes voice isolation and wide spectrum to make FaceTime calls really feel more all-natural and life-like. Taking some inspiration from Zoom, Apple is also bringing grid view and portrait mode to FaceTime.
| The story of Wysa: How an Indian startup constructed a mental overall health chatbot for the world
Another feature referred to as SharePlay will enable customers to simultaneously watch and listen to content as properly as share their screen with other individuals with shared playback controls so anyone can pause, play, or jump ahead. Apple is partnering with streaming giants like Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Paramount Plus, Pluto Television, TikTok, and Twitch to integrate SharePlay into their apps – this content will also be accessible on a significant screen via the Apple Television.
Focus updates
With iOS 15, Apple is introducing a new set of “focused” notifications to decrease distractions and assistance customers “be in the moment.” Apple will use on-device machine understanding to automatically choose which contacts and apps are permitted to notify customers based on the profile they set. This could be for work or sleep or do not disturb. Contacts and apps that do not belong to a focus group will not be permitted to pass via. Their status will also be visible to other individuals in Messages, so they’ll know the user is not reachable at that point of time.
Notification updates
Apple is adding make contact with photographs for persons and bigger icons for apps in notifications on iOS 15 to make them simpler to stand out so customers can respond to them accordingly. A new feature referred to as “Notification Summary” will meanwhile gather “non-time-critical” notifications and provide them “at a more opportune time.” Apple says it will use machine understanding – once again, on-device – to prioritise notifications and “important communications will not end up in the summary.”
Intelligent photo updates
Drawing some inspiration from Google Lens, Apple is introducing a new feature in iOS 15 referred to as “Live Text” that will enable customers to highlight text in photographs or scenes straight via the camera app in genuine time and act, accordingly, say for instance, copying a phone quantity or Wi-Fi password. Contrary to Google’s strategy, Apple says Live Text will work on-device. Another feature referred to as “Visual Look Up” will enable customers to add more context to their surroundings.
Privacy updates
Apple is introducing 3 new privacy features with iOS 15. The 1st getting, by default on-device speech recognition for Siri (which is also mentioned to boost efficiency “significantly”), the second is App Privacy Report developed to give an overview of how apps use their permissions in the last seven days, and the third referred to as Mail Privacy Protection that hides a user’s IP address and place from the sender although also keeps them from understanding if their e-mail was opened.
Other notable updates
- Apple is updating Safari with a new tab bar for immediately switching in between many tabs and Tab Groups to save tabs for uncomplicated access later.
- New keys which includes driver’s license or state IDs for airport verify-ins are coming to Apple Wallet – even though this will be accessible only in the US.
- Apple Music integration is coming to “Memories” in photographs app for personalised song ideas – Apple says this will be on-device.
- Weather app is getting updated with complete-screen maps, and dynamic layouts although Notes will help user-produced tags on iPhones with iOS 15.
| Divine intervention: How two Indian females are assisting mothers ‘thrive’ with tiny assistance from Apple
