WWDC 2022: iOS 16 new lockscreen, upgraded messages, and more
Apple released iOS 16, the latest iPhone operating system and the successor to iOS 15, at WWDC 2022. It’s a major update that includes a redesigned Home app for your smart appliances, as well as improved privacy features, as well as a strong focus on the lock screen, with new fonts, colors, and themes to select from. Apple has stated that the public beta will begin in July, with a release date of late 2022 for iPhone 8 and higher devices.
When will it be released?
iOS 16 will be released in late 2022, according to Apple, with a public beta available to iPhone owners starting in July. Anyone with an iPhone 8 or newer will be able to update to iOS 16, while those with an iPhone 7 or earlier will be unable to do so.
Features
You can change the text type and colors, use portrait mode for your images, and simply tap on any part of the lock screen. Complications, a feature borrowed from the Apple Watch, can also be enabled here. Three options will be available for your lock screen, as well as alerts and the Now Playing screen is moved to the bottom for better thumb access. You can swipe between different lock screens, and these can also be enabled depending on the Focus profile you have, which has been applied to home screens since iOS 15. This is similar to creating a watch face on your Apple Watch – you can swipe between different lock screens, and these can also be enabled depending on the Focus profile you have, which has been applied to home screens since iOS 15.
Notifications have also been improved, with the addition of ‘Live Activities,’ which allows you to create widgets to follow the news, hail an Uber, track your workouts, and more. Apple’s Focus function will be available on the lock screen as well. You can set a specific focus profile, such as ‘Meeting,’ which will transform your lock screen into wallpaper and a row of widgets with event details. To help you manage your productivity, you may use ‘Focus Filters’ to block out tabs in Safari, accounts in Mail, events in Calendar, and more.
Messages
Apple has updated Messages with a number of new features. For Messages, ‘undo send’ has arrived, allowing you to cancel a message for a short time after it has been sent – for example, if you notice a typo or realize you’ve sent it to the wrong person. It’s worth noting, though, that this only applies to iPhone-to-iPhone texts. SharePlay will also be available in the app, allowing you to watch a movie in Disney Plus and then send it to someone via Messages. Dictation now allows users to switch back and forth between voice and touch inputs, allowing you to type new text or change the cursor without having to pause the program.
Check for Safety
Safety Check, a new privacy tool, has been created to assist those who are at risk of partner abuse or harassment. 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. Users can also opt-out of sharing their location with others.
Home App is redesigned
The Home app is getting a facelift to make it easier to control your smart appliances and rooms in connection with the upcoming new Matter smart home standard. You’ll be able to see all of your rooms in one place, along with lighting, climate, security, and other options. You can see up to four security cameras at once by tapping on a category to obtain more detailed status information.
