Whether you’re tech-savvy or just like to play around with your phone for fun, there are some cool new features that Apple has just announced at its WWDC20 event. The conference, like many other things these days, was streamed online, but that didn’t take away from the features that many Apple users will be interested to try out.
Making Your iPhone More Customizable
The new operating system, iOS 14, will have an app library that will put all the apps you download into different folders. The idea is for you to be able to find these apps easier. There will be suggestions from Siri based on the apps you use the most as well as recently added apps.
You’ll even be able to hide some of the pages to customize and streamline your device even more. Widgets will also look different because you’ll be able to drag them from the widget panel to your home screen.
Move Over Siri
The new operating system also means that Siri will no longer be the center of attention on your iPhone. When you want Siri’s help, she won’t take over your whole screen as she does now. Instead, she’ll appear as a small overlay near the bottom of your screen.
When you ask a question, a small pop-up notification will appear at the bottom of the screen with the answer. Siri is also getting a little smarter. She’ll not only be able to get information from around the web but can send you audio messages in your messages app.
New Translate App
You’ll also notice a new translate app with the IOS 14. Right now, it can support 11 languages. If you turn your iPhone into landscape view, the app turns into conversation mode. This allows you to have a side-by-side view so both parties can understand and see the translation.
Map Updates & CarPlay
Apple is giving its map feature some new tools. It will now be able to tell you when you are getting near a speed or red-light camera. There will also be cycling navigation that will take into account elevation so you won’t be surprised when there are a lot of hills while on your bike. But to start, that feature will only be available in New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Shanghai, and Beijing. More cities will be added in the future.
If your car has Apple’s CarPlay, you’ll be able to unlock your car by tapping the phone to the door via NFC technology. It will be just like using your phone to pay with Apple Pay. You’ll also be able to turn off keys remotely via iCloud.
Picture-in-Picture
If you or your child is watching a movie on the iPhone and someone messages you, you don’t have to pause the movie to respond. Instead, you’ll see a floating screen over your home screen or whatever other apps you’re using.
You’ll be able to resize it, drag it around, and control video playback. You also have the option of minimizing it to the side while still having the audio playing. This is a great feature for multi-taskers.
iPad iOS 14 Changes
If your child has an iPad it’s going to start looking more like a computer. The iOS 14 will have a new sidebar that will appear in the photos, notes, files, and music apps. The goal is to make it easier to navigate and help to organize app files. There will also be a new Siri shortcut at the bottom of certain app screens.
When there is a phone call coming through your iPad, it will no longer take up the whole screen. Instead, you’ll see a drop-down notification, which is much less distracting. The iPad pencil is also getting an update. Through a feature called Scribble, your handwriting will be translated into text.
If you have an Apple device these are the big changes that are on the horizon. As time goes on, who knows what else Apple has up its sleeve.