Introduction

Apple has released iOS 16, the next operating system for the iPhone after months of anticipation. The keynote took the stage at WWDC 2022 and detailed every major feature that will be included in the upgrade.

New Features of iOS 16

iOS 16 update includes a revamped Home app for your smart appliances, improved privacy features, and a major focus on the lock screen, with new fonts, colours, and themes to select from. Apple has announced that the public beta will be available in July, with the final version expected in late 2022 for iPhone 8 and above devices. Here's what we know about the new software so far.

• Android-like Lock Screen customization:

In iOS 16, Apple has redesigned the lock screen. Notifications are now shown at the bottom of the screen, away from your lock screen photo. The clock widget cuts behind the subject of your shot, creating a fantastic depth effect, and you can adjust its look, from typography to colour, by pressing and holding the lock screen. 

More widgets, such as weather, activity rings, and the calendar, can be added below the clock. You may pin specific types of live activities all the way down at the bottom, where the alerts live. If you are watching a game you may check the results via a pinned notice at the bottom. You can also pin Uber rides, fitness activities, and Now Playing controls, which may now extend to fill the whole lock screen with album art. 

•  Option to edit iMessages:

 Users may now modify recently sent messages, retrieve recently deleted messages, and mark conversations as unread to return to them later in iOS 16. Furthermore, Share Play is coming to Messages, allowing you to enjoy synchronized content such as movies or songs with shared playback controls while conversing in the app. 

With iOS 16, Apple updated the iMessage voice messaging experience, making it its own standalone iMessage app that stays in the app bar. Users can tap, hold, and record messages more rapidly using this app. The traditional hold and swipe-up gesture to record voice messages have been replaced by a new Dictation button. iOS 16 now also allows users to skim over voice messages.

• Family Sharing in iOS 16:

 Family Sharing makes it easy to create an account for a child with the appropriate parental restrictions in place instantly. It offers age-appropriate limitations for applications, movies, books, music, and more, along with a simplified procedure for setting up a new device that seamlessly applies current parental controls. When a kid requests additional screen time, parents may accept or refuse the request directly from the Messages app.

• iCloud Shared Photo Library:

 With the iCloud Shared Photo Library, up to six family members may share images in a distinct iCloud library. Users may share existing images from their collections, as well as share photos based on a start date or persons in the photos. Users will receive smart recommendations to share a photo with others from the Shared Photo Library. Every user with access to the Shared Photo Library can add, remove, edit, or like the shared photographs or videos, which will feature in their Memories and Featured Pictures

• Live Text and Visual Look Up Additions:

 Live text is also becoming better as you can now copy and paste text in the video, as well as copy text when translating a movie. You may also restore deleted conversations up to 30 days later, invite others to participate in a project using Messages, and receive notifications when someone makes a change in collaboration.

Visual Look Up expands on photographs by adding a new feature that allows users to press and hold on to an image's topic to lift it from the backdrop and insert it in applications like Messages. 

• On-device Dictation:

 Dictation has been enhanced, allowing users to transition seamlessly between voice and touch inputs, allowing you to type or change the cursor without having to interrupt Dictation.

• Siri in iOS 16: 

 Siri on iOS 16 would perform shortcuts without any setup as quickly as an app is downloaded. When sending a message, users may effortlessly include emoji, select to send messages automatically, skip the confirmation stage, and hang up the phone and Face Time calls hands-free by just saying "Hey Siri, end the call."

• Safety Check:

 Safety Check, a new privacy tool, has been launched to assist individuals who are in danger of abuse or harassment from partners. Users may immediately withdraw a partner's access to Messages and other accounts, and an emergency reset option allows users to sign out of iCloud on all of their other devices, reset privacy rights, and limit messages to just the device in their hand. With this feature, users can also opt-out of disclosing their location. It also allows you to see and control which persons and applications have access to your information.