Behold! iOS 16 is finally here, and we can’t keep calm over its exciting features and new updates.
Following three months of intense testing, Apple has released its much-hyped software update. The latest iOS version is compatible with iPhone 8 and above models. A few of these you may be already aware of, like iMessages, and Lock Screen. But there are a lot more exciting iPhone features that you must know about to get the best of iOS 16.
Although these features are part of the newly released version, iOS 16, not all iPhones may leverage it. Considering the iPhone and its current version, some users may only access a few of these updates. After all, Apple supports iPhone back to the iPhone 8. Any devices older than iPhone 8 may witness some features cut out.
If you are planning to hire iOS app developers for your next app project, ensure the team is well-versed with these latest features. So, without any further ado, let’s check out the most promising iOS 16 features. Every businessperson must know these before proceeding with their app development projects.
If you use an iPhone 8 or above model, all the iOS 16 features would be available for you! To gain access to the new features, consider upgrading to its latest version. The new iOS includes updates for iMessages, a new customizable lock screen, and a new CAPTCHA privacy update for advanced security log-ins. iPhone users can expect some bigger changes coming to their wallets too, but many lesser-known features are worth checking out, as well.
iOS 16 Features that Promise to Transform iPhone UX
From doing away with typos to linking your lock screen with a Focus mode, Apple has set out for a new level of personalization.
Edit and “unsend” text messages
For long enough, people encountered embarrassing typos, which landed them in uncomfortable situations. Fortunately, iOS 16 introduces three of the most needed features for the iMessage app.
Firstly, in iOS 16, users can now edit a sent message. For instance, if you notice a typo after sending the message to the recipient, you’ll have the chance to edit it again. A tiny “edited” message will appear in the status under the corrected message.
Secondly, users can immediately “recall” a sent message. It means that if a user has accidentally sent an unfinished message, he/she can use the “Undo Send” tool to prevent it from being read. This feature in iOS app development will surely reduce the chaos while chatting with family and friends.
Lastly, users can mark messages and threads as “unread.” It is an excellent tool for users when they lack time to respond to a message now but can come back later.
A highly customizable lock screen
One of the major iOS 16 features is the lock screen, especially for users with face ID-equipped iPhones. The latest version brings the most substantial update to the iPhone lock screen. Users can press and hold to edit their lock screen. Also, you can swipe to try out several fonts and styles. Each style changes the color filter for the background photo and its lock screen font. It means, everything complements each other.
It may feel similar to Apple’s take on Google’s Material You, which was launched with Android 12. Users can customize the fonts for the time, date, and add lock screen widgets like temperature, activity rings, and a calendar. The widgets are similar to the challenges on the Apple Watch lock screen.
Users can also set up multiple customized lock screens with different widgets and easily swipe between them. There’s also a photo shuffle option to change the pictures on your lock screen.
Multiple customized lock screens with different widgets are also available. You can seamlessly swipe to switch between screens. Also, the photo shuffle option automatically changes the pictures on your lock screen. Entrepreneurs could use these latest features to get inspired for successful app development strategies.
Focus modes & customized notifications
For many years, users were annoyed with notifications covering up their lock screen’s photo. With iOS 16, this problem comes to an end today. iOS 16 has shifted the notification pop-ups to the bottom of your display.
When you receive a notification on your iPhone, instead of being compiled into a list, it will appear like a vertical carousel. It enhances the lock screen appearance and is a big relief for users who operate their iPhones single-handedly. Also, iOS 16 aims to solve another notification problem, which is a bunch of notifications in a row from one app.
A new tool for developers, called “Live Activities,” will make it easier for users to stay on top of things happening in real-time. Instead of getting a series of distractions, users can focus on one activity. If implemented in iOS app development projects, it would ease the sporting events, workouts, and progress made in your Uber ride.
Skip CAPTCHAs using private access tokens
CAPTCHAs have proven to be a necessary evil across the internet. They’re designed to make sure that the user accessing a website or service is a human and not a robot. Many find it annoying, as it involves weird letters and images. With iOS 16, Apple plans to replace these annoying interactions with Private Access Tokens.
Websites that support the token will require you to log in and authenticate that you are indeed a human. That too without playing any of the usual CAPTCHA games.
Wallet and Apple Pay Later
ID cards from more states will get added to your Wallet app along with advanced security and privacy features. In iOS 16, users can also protect their identity, age, and crucial information. This new feature makes sharing keys easier with apps like Mail and Messages. For instance, when you receive a key, it gets added to the Wallet app on your iPhone. Upcoming payments will get managed through this app, making it easier for the users to track the payment histories.
Also, Apple Pay orders and allows merchants to deliver detailed receipts and tracking information. It further makes it easier to stay up to date on the status of all your orders. You could hire iOS app developers to make your app compatible with these capabilities.
Visual lookups and tap and drag for photos
In iOS 15, visual lookup analyzes your photos and can identify objects like plants, landmarks, and pets. iOS 16 takes everything to the next level. With the latest version, when you touch a photo’s subject like the dog in an image, you can lift it away from the background and add it to the apps like Messages. Similarly, it’s tap-and-hold tool allows users to remove the photo’s background.
SharePlay on your iMessage app
SharePlay made its debut in iOS 15. It allows users to have a shared experience while connecting with someone over FaceTime. You can watch TV shows, listen to music, and sync with other activities too. With iOS 16, users can discover more apps that support SharePlay from within FaceTime.
Perhaps it is one of the coolest things introduced by Apple. Now, whenever you wish to share a movie on Disney Plus, you can start SharePlay with a friend while chatting in messages.
Wrapping up
With the iOS 16, Apple has set the bar for personalized UX even higher. It is likely to intensify the competition around iOS and Android app development further. Businesses trying to upgrade their digital experiences will have to take an even more strategic approach now.
Install it now to experience game-changing updates like Lock Screen, ‘unsend’ on iMessage, and more. For more information on iPhone app development services, connect with our iOS experts. Our team will assist you with the right market trends for business opportunities.
FAQs
1. What is the new iOS 16 update?
The new update of iOS 16 brings exciting features like the Lock Screen feature, the ability to edit, and collaborate in Messages, new tools in Mail, and more features to interact with photos and video with Live Text and Visual Look Up. Today, iOS 16 is available as a free software update.
2. Which iPhones are compatible with the iOS 16 update?
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
3. Is the iOS 16 update out?
Yes. Finally, the wait is over, and iOS 16 is now rolling out to all eligible devices. First announced in June at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, iOS 16 and iPad OS 16 are Apple’s next-generation operating systems for iPhone and iPad.
4. How much does it cost to develop an iOS app?
The cost of developing a mobile app is completely based on your business requirements. The type of application required features, platform, integrations, and several other factors are responsible for considering the price of app development services.