Barely a week after Apple launched iPhone 13, the Cupertino-based giant just launched iOS 15 on Monday which is its latest big annual software update. This year’s version comes with some major changes. This includes the ability of FaceTime to make calls to Android and Windows users, artificial intelligence that can better identify plants, animals, and other items in photos, and a feature that with better limits on notifications.
While Apple released updates on a regular basis all through the year, the annual update released alongside new iPhones has the most changes and additional features. iOS 15 will work for a lot of older phones too.
FaceTime with Android and Windows users
FaceTiming was earlier reserve for Apple products only. However, with iOS 15 things are set to change. Anyone with an Apple computer will see a button that permits them to create a link to FaceTime chat.
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Users can share this link to any phone or computer with a modern web browser. The link wouldn’t allow random people to join the conversion without your permission. The users will have to be allowed into the chat.
Messages integration
Some people receive a lot of different links in Apple Messages but barely have the time to check them out until later. Now, Messages will share that information with other apps. For instance, if someone sends a link to an Apple News story, then it will show up in the Apple News app in a separate section called “Shared with You”.
It would work the same way with Apple Photos and Apple music. This new integration feature applies to Safari web links, Apple TV, podcasts, and more.
Advanced AI photo recognition
Apple has for long been working on improving its photo recognition capabilities. This year it has taken a major leap in terms of identifying the kinds of objects within photos.
With iOS 15, the software can recognize and provide information about books, plants, landmarks, and animals. It also allows the text inside the photos searchable and users can even copy and paste the text from a photo to a document.
More control over notifications
iPhone users have for long used a mode called “Do Not Disturb” that limits the notifications except a list of close contacts. This feature has received a major upgrade in iOS 15 which is being referred to as “Focus”.
The main feature shows notifications from apps and people you have pre-approved. If someone is texting a user in Focus Mode, then they will be notified that the user has silenced their notifications for some time. Multiple Focus profiles can be created by the users depending on different situations such as work, play, and sleep.
Apple Maps reminders
Apple Maps have also received annual improvements which cover augmented reality walking directions feature, better public transit schedules, and better directions. Commuters would love the new real-time alerts that tell users where they need to get off the subway, train, or bus before they miss their stop.
Safari redesigned
iPhone’s default browser has received the biggest redesign in years. The address bar and the back button have been brought back to the bottom for easy access. If you don’t like the new version, you have the option to revert back to the old look. Safari will also save groups of open tabs so you can come back to them later and support extensions.
System search made better
Apple’s Spotlight is a power-user feature that searches the web, your files and makes apps easier to access. The users can access it while swiping down from the top of the screen. It has received a new look with the update.
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Privacy protection
Apple has laid special emphasis on privacy in recent years. However, iOS 15 has provided features worth upgrading. A new feature called “App Privacy Report” will tell you how often an app accesses your location or microphone over the last seven days. It will also tell users if apps are phoning home to their own servers. This is something normal but can also indicate uses of data that have been overlooked previously.
Quicker Siri
Siri no longer has to send data to a faraway serve to understand what you have asked for. It can do this now on the device itself which will lead to a snappier experience without any delay. Also, Apple won’t have any access to all the recordings of your Siri requests anymore.
Another unique feature in the offing
Apple is planning to roll out a new feature called SharePlay that allows the users to watch a TV show or movie with other people over FaceTime. However, nothing has been revealed much about its features yet. The tech giant has promised to roll this later this year.