iOS 14, iPadOS14 out — what’s new?
Today, Apple is officially releasing updates to its software for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Read more on the major new features coming to iPhone and iPad.
All the updates are expected to go live sometime today.
EDIT: It’s out.
iOS 14
The two biggest updates iOS 14 brings are home screen widgets and the App Library. iOS 14 also brings important privacy features and I wrote an article on their impact.
App Library — the App Library is a new type of view for your apps. Apple now gives you the option to remove apps from your home screen and send them over to the App Library, where you can view them by category or, in list view, alphabetically/based on your usage.
The new App Library automatically organizes all of your apps into one simple, easy‑to‑navigate view. Apps are sorted by category and your most used apps are always just one tap away.
Home Screen Widgets — iOS 14 brings data-rich widgets to the home screen. There is a variety of them, in multiple sizes. You can add widgets by holding down on your home screen until you get into jiggle mode and tap the + icon on your top right corner. Developers will also be able to make widgets for their apps.
You can also add a Smart Stack of widgets intelligently curated based on the apps you use most, and the right widget will show up automatically at the right time in your day.
Check out this video of Widgets and App Library in action, by AppleInsider.
Safari & Privacy — Safari brings a new translation feature to web pages in six languages. If Safari can translate that website, a new icon will appear.
Safari in iOS 14 features faster loading, which Apple claims that is x2 faster than Chrome and Android regarding JavaScript.
Now diving into privacy. The first feature that Safari brings for privacy is Password Monitoring. According to Apple:
Safari securely monitors your saved passwords to ensure that they have not been compromised in a data breach. To do this, Safari uses strong cryptographic techniques to regularly check derivations of your passwords against a list of breached passwords in a secure and private way that doesn’t reveal your password information — even to Apple.
Another feature is the Privacy Report. With iOS 14, Apple is pushing back at the advertisement industry. Privacy Report will tell you how websites are tracking you and what Safari is doing to mitigate that.
iOS 14 brings in new rules for developers and more choices for the user. Developers now have to disclose how their app and third-party partners are tracking users across other apps for targeted advertisement. Users will be able to opt in or out of sharing their IDfA number with apps. As previously mentioned, I wrote an article on this.
Privacy features also include a recording indicator, which will show up if an app uses your camera, microphone or accesses your clipboard. You can also share your approximate location with apps, instead of giving them your accurate location.
Picture in Picture — iPad's Picture in Picture feature is coming to iPhone. You can now keep watching videos while using other apps. With this, Apple is also adding more "compact" features to iOS 14, such as Compact Calls and the new Siri interface.
Messages — iOS 14 brings pinned conversations to the Messages app. Pinned conversations will display incoming messages in the way portrayed below. iMessage now allows for mentions and for in-line replies.
Maps — this year, Maps focuses on the environment, with cycling directions and smart route planning for electric vehicles. Maps can help you plan your route with charging stations on the way. Maps is also getting a Guide tab, where you can see more information and reviews about places you want to visit.
You can now use Maps to get cycling directions using bike lanes, paths, and roads. You can also see elevation, busy streets, stairs, and steep passages when planning your trip.
Translate app — there is a new stock app, Translate. It works completely offline and features 11 languages. There is Conversation Mode, which aims to make conversations easier.
Siri — Siri is smarter and can do more things, answer more questions and can help you send audio messages in iMessage. Siri now works better with Home, which has been redesigned to give you more control over the smart devices in your house.
CarKey and App Clips — starting with iOS 13.6, you can now add select car keys into the Wallet app, allowing you to unlock and start your car using your iPhone. You can share those keys and create restricted user profiles.
App Clips are a new feature in the App Store. You can scan a QR code to invoke the app's App Clip, which will give you a demo version of the app, allowing you to use the app without actually downloading the full version.
AirPods Pro — AirPods Pro software has been updated to support Spatial Audio, battery level notifications and automatic switching, audio accommodation and audio sharing with Apple TV.
With AirPods Pro, you can enjoy a theater‑like experience wherever you are. Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking puts surround sound channels in exactly the right place, even as you turn your head or move your device.
iOS 14 brings in a lot of more features, which are impossible to cover in this article, but feel free to check out this video.
iPadOS 14
iPadOS builds on the same powerful foundation as iOS, while offering distinct experiences designed just for the capabilities of iPad. And now iPadOS 14 pushes the platform even further, with powerful and intuitive updates to Apple Pencil, apps, augmented reality, and so much more.
Redesigned widgets — iPadOS' widgets have been redesign to show more information, bringing iOS 14’s widgets to the iPad.
Sidebars — stock apps have been updated to include smart sidebars and pull-down menus.
Search has been redesigned to be easier and smarter to use.
Scribble — automatic handwriting to text conversion. Scribble can be used with Apple Pencil. Just type anywhere there is a text box and iPadOS will convert your handwriting into text.
You can scratch the text to remove a word you've made a mistake on or circle a word to select it. You can copy handwriting as text in the Notes app and paste it into other apps. iPadOS has shape recognition, meaning the OS will try to help you by perfecting your geometric shapes.
iPadOS 14 also brings enhanced AR capabilities, taking advantage of the LiDAR scanner on the iPad Pro, which is also rumoured to come to the high-end iPhone 12 series in October.
iPadOS 14 features all the changes present in iOS 14.
