For the milestone tenth version of its mobile operating system, iOS, Apple has pulled out all the stops to introduce new improvements and refinements across the board. At its WWDC event in San Francisco, Apple showed off ten (and a few extra) of the most exciting new elements we can expect in iOS 10.
Release date
But when can you expect iOS 10? The developer preview is available today to developers and a consumer beta is available from July. The full consumer release won't happen until the autumn, however. In terms of devices that will receive the free iOS 10 update, these include iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus and SE. For iPads, these include iPad 4, Air, Air 2, Pro 9.7, Pro 12.1, Mini 2 and finally the sixth generation iPod Touch. Unfortunately, older devices will not receive iOS 10.
iOS 10 New Features
Lockscreen and Homescreen
With the advent of Touch ID, many users no longer see their lockscreen, as inputting a fingerprint takes you directly to your homescreen. Now, with iOS 10, there's a new 'Raise to Wake' function that uses your iPhone's sensors to bring up your lockscreen without you needing to press any buttons. The lockscreen has been redesigned so that the wallpaper no longer darkens improving its overall look and feel.
Users can now use 3D Touch to interact with notifications on the lockscreens such as bringing up detail on vehicle arrival for Uber notifications or sending quick replies in Messages. 3D Touch can also be used to quickly clear all of your notifications. Widgets have been improved and can be accessed from a slide from the left. The Camera can be quickly accessed by sliding in from the right.
Lockscreen notifications will also be far more interactive, such as providing video content directly from the notification.
Siri
The most important update for Siri is that it's now been opened up to developers. This means that you'll soon be able to issue commands such as "Send a WeChat to Nancy saying I'll be five minutes late." You can also use Siri to start and pause workouts in fitness apps.
QuickType
Siri's influence is also being extended to Apple's QuickType keyboard allowing for better predictions through deep learning. If you're asked 'Where are you?' the keyboard will provide a quick shortcut to provide your location data. Intelligent scheduling will be able to take contextual data such as dates, places and activities so you can quickly create a calendar entry. QuickType will also support multilingual typing for those who jump between languages, removing the need to manually switch input method.
Photos
Here, Apple has emulated a lot of what Google has been doing with Google Photos. There's now face recognition alongside object and scene recognition.This categorises your images based on machine learning so you can search your images more effectively. In keeping with Apple's stance on security, all analysis is done on the device.
Photos is also introducing a 'Memories' feed, which groups together relevant images and videos and provides content such as photos, people and maps. The Memories feed will also provide related Memories based on the people present and locations. Like Google Photos, Memories will also create videos based on grouped content and you can adapt the video to different lengths or moods.
Maps
The Maps app has been re-designed with a new design language. Navigation has been improved so you can now pan and zoom further ahead to get a gauge on upcoming traffic. In a recurring theme, Maps has been opened up to developers to integrate their apps with. You'll be able to book a restaurant table using OpenTable, then, with a new feature under 'Directions' book an Uber to then get you to the restaurant. All of this is done without ever leaving the Maps app.
Music
Like Maps, Apple Music's app has been re-designed. It's now got a cleaner, clearer design without less of the white space that plagued the old app. Access to content in your Library is now the default tab improving navigation. Lyrics are also now integrated into the Now Playing screen by scrolling down.
News
The main addition to News is the ability to subscribe to content within the app. Breaking news can also be provided through notifications straight to your lockscreen.
HomeKit
Apple is releasing a Home app for managing your HomeKit compatible devices. All of your accessories will be available in one place. 3D Touch can be used in the app to bring up actions such as light dimming. Scenes can be created that automate certain processes, such as a Good Night scene that locks your door and turns off your light. Siri automation is also included, so you can issue commands such as "Good Morning Siri" to activate your Morning scene. Home will also integrate into your lockscreen, so if your HomeKit compatible doorbell rings, you can get a video feed of your intercom.
Phone
No one likes having to sit through their voicemail. Now, with a beta version of voicemail transcription, you can simply skim read a transcription of your voice messages. A new VoIP API will allow better integration of apps such as WhatsApp and Skype so that lockscreen actions are improved. They'll function similarly to the Phone app and allow you to accept or reject calls from the lockscreen alongside integration with your iPhone's recent and favourites lists for contacts.
Messages
Updates to Apple's Messages app will likely be divisive in terms of popularity. There are now far more ways to send messages with richer information. Emoji plays a large role, now appearing three times larger than before. Emoji prediction is also included, in a similar move to third-party keyboards such as SwiftKey. So you can type a word, like 'Graduation' and get the relevant emoji appear. Emoji replacement will show you words you can replace with an emoji, even if you've already typed out messages by highlighting the words that are replaceable.
Along with these, you can send 'bubble effects' that change the chat bubble's appearance, handwritten messages and fullscreen effects. 'Tapbacks' can provide quick replies to messages, such as simple thumbs ups.
There's also a new app drawer that allows developers to insert themselves into the Messages app. This will let developers insert items like 'stickers', which will be familiar to anyone who has used Facebook Messenger or Viber. On-stage, Apple demonstrated how a food ordering app could be integrated for co-ordinating a group order.
