Apple’s September event was entirely online-only this year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. But this pandemic hasn’t stopped it from hosting the usual array of exciting announcements. Included in the event at Apple Park was an announcement about the highly anticipated iOS 14.
What’s new?
Cleaner home screens
App Library is a new space at the end of the home screen’s pages which automatically orders and stores apps in grouped blocks and is designed to make it easier to access apps.
Widgets are also coming to iPhones for the first time – a feature long seen on other brands of smartphone – and allow you to pin small programs to your home screen that can keep you updated on things like weather, and stock prices.
Picture-in-picture
It allows users to continue watching a video or take a facetime call while using another app, with the image reduced to a smaller, less intrusive window while doing so.
Banner notifications
FaceTime and audio calls (including those from third-party apps like WhatsApp) will display as banners at the top of the screen, instead of filling the entire display.
Unlock your car using Car Key
It uses near field communication to allow the user to tap their phone against the car’s door handle to unlock the vehicle. Drivers will be required to authenticate their identity using facial recognition or the Touch ID sensor but can set up an ‘Express Mode’ to skip the need for this authentication. To start the car, simply place your iPhone on the car’s charging pad and push the ignition button. The ‘key’ can even be turned off remotely if the driver’s iPhone is lost or stolen, and shared remotely with friends and family – allowing them to drive the car without having to cut a new physical key.
Not many cars support it just yet though; the new 2021 BMW 5 series, which goes on sale next month, will be the first car with the new technology.
Apple Maps cycling support
A new update will now allow it to deliver bespoke route suggestions to cyclists, taking into account bike lanes, paths and roads, including narrow passages and stairs that may not always be obvious.
Those with electric cars will also see similar support, with the ability to plan trips that take charging point locations into account.
Apple Translate
The Translate app will translate conversations into 11 languages (English, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic) offline when required for trips abroad.
When will it be released?
The new version of the operating system will be available to download from Wednesday 16 September.The release of the iPhone 12 has been delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but according to reports, it will be launched at a later event in October.
Inputs from Edinburgh news
