Apple has been hard at work with system updates for its devices. iOS 13 came with a lot of features and improvements. What did you enjoy most about iOS 13? We explained major features and shared our thoughts on some important features.
Well, iOS 13.3 is the latest software update available on for the iPhone, bringing new features like parental controls for Screen Time, giving parents even more control over who their children can call, FaceTime, or iMessage. Parents can now also manage the contact list that appears on their children's devices.
What can we expect now?
Here's is a summary of what to expect
- Apple is already working on the next update to the iOS and iPadOS operating systems that run on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. According to 9to5Mac, we can expect upcoming hardware refreshes, including a new iPad Pro, iPhone 9, and AirTags in iOS 14. Apple is also developing a new Apple TV remote.
- Apple is said to be focusing on performance and quality in iOS 14 due to the numerous bugs in iOS 13, but there are still plenty of new features in the works.
- Apple is developing a new augmented reality app for iOS. Users will be able to have an interactive experience of a real-world environment enhanced by computer-generated information. For instance, users would be able to hold up their phone in an Apple Store and view information about the products on display, get pricing, and compare features. The iPhone or iPad would know about what augmented reality experience to begin based on QR-code like tags in the area. It is possible that iBeacons or Apple’s AirTags could also act as a trigger.
- iOS 14 will also include a new home screen list view option with Siri suggestions.
- iOS 14 will also include a number of new accessibility features as well. It is presumed that there will be a new feature that will be able to detect important sounds like fire alarms, sirens, door knocks and crying babies. This will help people who have hearing loss.
- Fitness App - Apple is working on a fitness app for iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple TV that will let users download fitness-related videos that will walk them through various workouts.
- New Features for Messages. There's a new Slack-like mention system that will allow users to tag contacts with their name like @edward. In a busy group chat, this feature will make it possible to mute the conversation but receive push notifications when direct mentions are included.
- Apple is also working on a feature that would retract iMessages after sending them, with the retraction visible to both parties.
iOS 14 release date and beta schedule
iOS 14 will be previewed at the 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is likely to take place at some point in June. Exact dates for the event will be shared early in the year, possibly in March, though it is not clear if there will be a physical event due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the United States.
Once Apple starts the beta program for iOS 14, it’s expected they will release updates every few weeks to eliminate bugs, polish new features, remove features that won’t make the shipping version, and more. As always, Apple recommends that you only run the developer beta version of iOS on devices solely dedicated to development.
iOS 14 compatible devices
iOS 13 was compatible with
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPod touch (7th generation)
With iOS 14, it’s expected that Apple will drop support for at least the iPhone SE, but don’t be surprised if the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus also drop support. I might be right or might be wrong. The worst that can happen is that you go for a few weeks without an iPhone. But, there is a larger point to be made.
You might as well put off buying an iPhone 11 because it looks like the "iPhone SE 2" will be out soon. It’s expected that new iPhones released in the fall of 2020 will have the latest version of iOS preloaded with no option to downgrade.