NEW YORK: So iOS 9 has been revealed and, as with most Apple products, has the techworld buzzing. The new operating system brings some great new features to the table, including some long overdue changes, but are the new features that groundbreaking compared to iOS 8? Let’s take a look.
One of the most exciting new aspects of iOS 9 is the ability to use apps side-by-side. The move helps bridge the gap between a “PC” experience and one usually found on mobile devices, including having to switch between apps a tiresome experience. Users in iOS 9 will be able to use apps simultaneously, meaning they can view a map and scroll through YouTube at the same time. Apple is also adding a floating video player. Granted, Android has had these features for some time now, but more on that later.
There’s also Proactive. Built to be more proactive give users relevant information before it’s even asked and even aggregates information from contacts, calendars entries, and more. Proactive is Apple’s answer to Google Now, and Siri has been upgraded as well to respond to more natural commands.
There are other announcements that will help define the iOS 9 experience, such as Apple Music, but at its core, much will remain the same. There are, however, a few pleasant surprises.
For starters, Apple claims that iOS 9 will improve battery performance by up to one hour on an iPhone 6. Sensors in the phone will even be able to detect when the handset is face down so that the display won’t turn on, even for a notification. There’s also the fact that users will now see lower case letters when they hit the shift key on the keyboard. Finally, the new iOS 9 update will be small, a little over 1GB. This makes it easier for older devices with less storage to upgrade, and means more will be able to enjoy the iOS 9 experience.
Of course, does this make iOS 9 a huge leap from iOS 8? There aren’t any drastic graphic changes, and Android has had many of the new bells and whistles for some time now. Still, iOS 9 introduces some much-needed life into the entire experience of scrolling and flipping through touchscreens and core features such as HealthKit and HomeKit are improved. It’s important to realize Apple and Google release a new version of their mobile OS every year. In the end, there will be leaps and bounds, but more often than not, it’s fine tuning.
Good news? You don’t have to wait too long. Even if you’re not a developer, Apple will make iOS 9 available in a beta build for everyday users in July. The official release is slated for September, most likely alongside a new iPhone.
