The first iOS 15 Beta 1 is now available for developers with a paid developer account and can be installed manually via the Mac. A public “public beta” is to follow later in the coming month.
Apple presented the upcoming iOS 15 for iPhones at its own developer conference WWDC 2021 (World Wide Developer Conference). We have summarized the top features for you and present the new features here.
Also this year, Apple presented digital innovations for its own operating systems during the WWDC 2021 developer conference. Of course, the focus is also on the new iOS 15 for iPhones. Against the background of the ongoing pandemic, the upcoming update seems to be about better networking with friends and colleagues.
iOS 15: Improved notifications, FaceTime, iMessage & new Focus mode
In brief: Apple has mainly worked on FaceTime and iMessage for even better video calls and group chats. But also basic features like the notifications on the lock and home screen have been improved. With the new “Focus” mode, the “Do Not Disturb” options in iOS 15 are also expanded. And of course, Apple devoted a portion of the presentation to data protection. And we will now introduce you to this in more detail:
Notifications: Regular summary and focus mode
Apple wants to better cope with the flood of notifications that you get every day with iOS 15. The basic sorting doesn’t change that much. However, the appearance of the app icons in notifications seems to have been improved to distinguish them from contact messages. But there are also new symbols for contacts: For example, messages from your friends will in the future be expanded to include a profile picture.
There will also be a new focus mode that adjusts incoming messages and even home screen apps based on a selected profile (e.g. work, leisure, sleep). There will also be a “notification summary” regularly delivered to the user, which algorithmically sorts notifications received in a period of time in a clear report in order to avoid endless scrolling through a confusing flood of bars. So Apple seems to have drilled up the Do-Not-Disturb mode. Depending on the mode, automatic status messages are also sent.
FaceTime: Meetings and movie nights for everyone
Apple invested a lot of time in an improved FaceTime in iOS 15. Many features are reminiscent of Zoom or Google Meet. The interface is now tidier with a grid view for video chats with multiple participants. Ambient noise is filtered out better and backgrounds can be hidden with a blurring effect. Surprisingly, video call invitations can now be sent not only to iOS Mac users but also Android Windows users via “FaceTime Links”.
With FaceTime SharePlay, video chat participants will also be able to share music and videos from apps that will soon be running in parallel in real-time. This should make joint series or film evenings and music parties possible. Initially, only Apple Music, Apple TV +, Disney +, and a few other providers will be supported. Apps like Netflix and Prime Video still seem to be missing. However, developers can use an API to make third-party apps compatible. The screen can also be shared live with friends.
iMessages: Messenger makes sharing and discovering even easier
The presentations of shared content in iMessage conversations are made clearer, for example, a stack view for images. In addition, shared photos or content from other apps (e.g. Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, News) are not only displayed in the chat, but also in the respective app in a generated “Shared With You” tab. displayed so that they can be found quickly in the app at a later point in time.
Spotlight and Memories: “Apple Lense” for iOS users
Work has also been done on the camera app, photos, and the spotlight search. With iOS 15, the iPhone gets Google Lense-like capabilities. Text elements in different languages can now be recognized and used in photos. Similar to Google Lens, things like paintings, monuments, and other sights are recognized. Small highlight reels with background music from Apple Music can also be generated from photos and videos with “Memories”. The display of the Spotlight search has also been made even more appealing and provided with more information with iOS 15.
Privacy: more overview via the report
Of course, Apple does not forego other features in the fight for better data protection. The new menu item “Privacy Report” shows a list of your used apps and documents how often the location, camera, microphone, photos, contacts were accessed and which third-party domains the app sends data to. In addition, the mailbox, among other things, is better protected. The IP address and reading status can be hidden from the transmitter.
Safari: new look
The look of Apple’s web browser Safari has been completely revised and adapted, as you can see on this screenshot. In the future, you will find the address bar at the bottom of the screen. One-handed operators should be happy about it.
iOS 15: More features and release
Aside from the features mentioned, there are tons of other changes that will come with iOS 15. The weather app gets a new look and detailed information. Initially in the USA, you will also be able to store your identity card in the Wallet app and Apple Maps will also get new features. This includes navigation via augmented reality and the display of lanes during navigation. As is so often the case, these features are initially severely restricted by region and will probably not be available in Germany for now.
A beta for iOS 15 should follow in June for developers. You can download the public beta during July, according to Apple. For the official release of iOS 15 – as usual – you have to wait until around September.
