[ UPDATE 13/09/2022 14:00 ] iOS 16 for iPhone is out now. Here are 6 of the biggest features you should try on your iPhone.
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Ever since fellow writer Jonathan showed me his favourite feature when he tested out the beta version of iOS 16, as well as some other cool features he noticed, I’ve been very excited for Apple‘s new software update. Now, after Apple’s event announcements, we now know that iOS 16 will finally be released in Malaysia on 13 September.
“iOS 16 enhances iPhone with all-new personalisation features, deeper intelligence and more seamless ways to communicate and share,” writes Apple on their site.
So, what are the iOS 16’s best features?
A more personalised lock screen
Okay, I’ve been a long-time Apple user, so having the opportunity to customise my phone’s lock screen like how I can do with Android phones is pretty exciting for me. Basically, users can showcase favourite photos with dynamic displays that can make the subject pop, customise font styles, and even display a set of widgets to show users the information they want at a glance.
Currently, all iPhone faces look incredibly similar, with the same fonts and styles. Having that extra personalised flair to our iPhones is something that I was hoping to see after reviewing an Android phone for the first time this year.
Additionally, with iOS 16, you can also create multiple lock screens and change them like how you can change your Apple Watch faces. You can even browse a gallery of wallpapers with suggested photos and themed collections for inspiration—just like how I did with a Samsung.
Filter out specific content with Focus mode
You’re likely already familiar with Apple’s Focus mode, which you can toggle to help you concentrate on a task by minimising distractions—depending on the type of Focus mode you want to be in. There’s a Focus mode for Work that helps minimise more casual social media notifications, and for Driving that minimises specific notifications so you can concentrate on being behind the wheel.
iOS 16 will personalise your Focus modes even further by helping you set specific boundaries in apps. For example, you can keep emails from your work inbox out of sight when using Personal Focus.
You would also be able to choose different lock screens with the Focus mode you’re on. Apple says that with just a swipe, the look and feel of your iPhone can match how you want to use it. So, you can create a lock screen with important work widgets and a calendar for Work Focus mode, and a more homey feel for Personal Focus mode.
Fix your typos on iMessage
As Malaysians, we aren’t huge iMessage users. So, having this update might not really matter to us—but it’s something I hope WhatsApp can add eventually. iOS 16 will let you edit a message you just sent, or even unsend a recent message altogether. Additionally, you can mark a message as unread if you can’t respond right away and want to come back to it later.
Copy text from a video frame
iOS 16 will let you pause a video on any frame that contains text and use familiar interactions like copy, translate, look up, share, and more. It’s similar to the Live Text feature on iPhone cameras. Speaking of Live Text, the update will make it easier for people to call phone numbers, visit websites, convert currencies, translate languages, and more in photos, videos, and the camera app.
Medications feature on the Health app… and other features
Another feature I can’t wait to utilise is a Medications feature on the Health app. I take a few supplements every day and in order for me to remember taking them, I set up Reminders. But they could distract me from the reminders I make for work or for housework. Having a built-in Medications feature to remind me of when to take my pills will be so useful.
Other features that seem pretty useful include Passkeys—which introduces a new sign-in method that is end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks, Tracking Orders for Apple Pay—which lets users view receipts and track Apple Pay orders directly in Wallet, set specific your preferences for age-appropriate media under Parental Controls, the Door Detection feature under Accessibility options—which reads aloud important details like room numbers and wheelchair accessible symbols, and Safety Check— which helps people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations review and reset the access they’ve granted others.
iOS 16, however, won’t be available to every iPhone. It is only available to the iPhone 14 series (when it comes out), the iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 11 series, the iPhone X series, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone SE (2nd Gen or later). You can read more here.
There are plenty of other features with the iOS 16 update, and you can view them all on Apple’s official site. What’s the feature that you’re most excited about?
You can also read through what we’ve covered so far for Apple’s Far Out Event:
- This magical iOS 16 feature will practically make WhatsApp stickers for you
- iPhone 14 Malaysia: Here’s the official price for the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, pre-order starts on Malaysia Day
- Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest and toughest Apple Watch yet, priced at RM3,799
- Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus: A new large screen option, and not much else
- AirPods Pro 2 deliver better sound, ANC, battery life and swipe controls for RM1,099
- iPhone SE 2022 gets a price hike in Malaysia, costs up to RM200 more than before
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: a 48MP camera, A16 Bionic and ‘Dynamic Island’ replaces the notch
- Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra, SE 2022: Here’s the official Malaysian pricing
- Apple Watch Series 8: Car crash detection, Low Power Mode, improved menstrual cycle tracking
