Today at WWDC 2022, Apple has unveiled iOS 16 the next generation of software for the iPhone. iOS has become more customisable with a new lock screen design, widgets and more. iOS 16 will be coming later this year, typically the release date is September alongside the new iPhone. This year, Apple has dropped support for the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and iPhone SE (first generation) and the following devices now work with iOS 16.
Lock Screen and Widgets
iOS 16 brings a lot of new customisation to the Lock Screen, with the ability to add between different styles, with filters for photos, different font choices for the date and time, as well as choosing if the time goes behind or in front of the photo. From the screenshots, it looks very similar to the customisation experience we have today for the Apple Watch. Apple is also adding the ability to add widgets, such as battery levels, alarms, time zones, HomeKit status, Fitness levels and more.
For live events, such as sports, food order and Uber – Apple has something called Live Activities which will display an interactive notification and prevent the barrage of notifications and alerts coming through, instead providing a quick glance card.
For developers, Apple is revamping WidgetKit so third party apps can take advantage of these new features.
Apple Pay and Wallet App
The Wallet has been updated to allow the sharing of keys between users, using iMessage. This can be useful for hotel room keys, car keys and even house keys. Apple Pay Later is new which allows installments to be used to purchase larger ticket items, with four instalments over six weeks with 0% and no fees at all. Apple say that this is available with every Apple Pay purchase.
Messages
With the Messages app, Apple is adding some much requested features, such as the ability to edit and unsend iMessages the have already been sent. Users can also mark iMessage conversation threads as unread. SharePlay will also work with Messages, removing the need to be in a call with everyone at the same time.
Maps
Apple Maps has received a modest update, with the new feature of Multistop routing, which is something Google Maps has had for a while. Maps will allow up to fifteen stops.
Home
The Home app on macOS, iOS and iPadOS has been completely redesigned, with a new way to view your whole home, with categories such as climate, security, and more. The cameras are also more accessible and Apple says the entire app has been rebuilt to be more reliable, especially for large deployments.
Sports
Sports has been part of the Apple TV for a while, Apple has even added Friday Night Baseball to its Apple TV+ lineup. Using Live Activities on the lock screen, the Apple TV app can now display information about live games. Apple has even added support for saving favourite teams and leagues in Apple News.
WiFi
Finding out a current WiFi password if you don’t know it can be basically impossible, now with iOS 16 there is a new “Password” section for your current WiFi network. Tapping it shows you the password of that WiFi network, you just need to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. This can be useful for sharing the WiFi password with someone, who isn’t using an Apple device where the smart sharing feature wouldn’t work.
General Release
iOS 16 will be coming later this year, typically the release date is September alongside the new iPhone
