The annual major update for iPhones has landed. With iOS 16, your smartphone gets a lot of new features, including more possibilities to customize your lock screen and better manage children’s accounts. Apple Watch owners can also expect an update tonight: watchOS 9. We list the most important novelties for you.
For starters, if you’re using a 2016 iPhone 6s (Plus), iPhone 7 (Plus), or iPhone SE, don’t expect an update to iOS 16. After six to seven years of support, they fall by the wayside this time. Newer iPhones can install the update. The Apple Watch Series 3 from 2017 is also losing support. watchOS 9 is only available for smartwatches from Series 4.
Customize your lock screen, better notifications
The iPhone’s lock screen is one of the aspects that many believe still needs work. Apple seems to have heard the lament, because in iOS 16 there is a lot of news. You can choose between different fonts and colors, and photos will create a layered effect in an artistic way.
It is also possible to add widgets, so that you can, for example, look at the weather forecast at a glance. There is also the option of ‘Live activities’. Think of the display for music that is playing, but then for things like following a meal courier or a sports activity.
You can also set different versions of the lock screen and switch between them according to the situation. You can also link such a version to your Focus setting. One idea is to link a widget for your calendar to your Work focus.
Notifications have also been tweaked and now pop up from the bottom of the lock screen. There is room for the widgets and the like. You will also be able to hide notifications from that screen by swiping them down. You can also choose to only show the number of notifications.
Share with family
If you want to set up an iOS 16 device for the children, you will get more options. For example, from now on you can immediately enable parental controls when creating an account, with the necessary suggestions for limiting content based on age.
Configuring a new iPhone is also easier because you will be able to switch on all settings immediately. Apple also provides a checklist of tips and suggestions. They should help with adjusting settings where necessary.
Apps such as Messages, Maps and Fitness have also been significantly renewed
Anyone who uses iMessage in the Messages app and who already makes a typo will be happy to read that thanks to iOS 16 it will be possible to edit or delete sent messages. You have fifteen minutes to do this. It also becomes possible to mark chats as unread to come back to later.
The updated version of Apple Maps is also finally being rolled out in our regions. That means a lot more details in Belgium and the Netherlands, including a 3D rendering of buildings. It also becomes possible to use multiple stops when you plan a route. It is still not possible to draw up a cycling route in Belgium or the Netherlands.
The Fitness app, known and infamous for the activity rings, will come standard with iOS 16. Regardless of whether you use an Apple Watch or not, you will be able to see in the app whether you have been sufficiently active. The motion sensors in the iPhone then keep track of your data or information from other apps is used.
Read the full list of new iOS 16 features here Apple’s website.
watchOS 9: New Watch Faces and More Options for Triathletes
Anyone who needs the Moon calendar will receive a handy overview from watchOS 9 with the Gregorian calendar on the basis of a new dial. The Astronomy dial has also been updated with a dynamic display of the Earth, Moon and Solar System. There are also a whole host of new options for customizing watch faces with complications.
Athletes among us will finally be able to track their heart rate zones during a workout in the Workout app. Triathletes will soon be able to use Multisport in that app, which automatically detects when you are swimming, cycling or running. Runners get more data from the Apple Watch, including stride length and ground contact time. It will also be possible to receive notifications of your pace on frequently traveled routes and whether it is above or below the usual.
There will also be a Medicines app for the Apple Watch, which can help you keep track of your intake of vitamins, supplements and medicines. The feature is also available in the iOS 16 Health app.
The Apple Watch will collect more and more accurate data about your sleeping patterns. This will then be displayed in the Sleep app on the smartwatch or the Health app on the iPhone. Apple says it uses computer models based on “one of the largest and most diverse populations”. It should contribute to a more accurate analysis of your night.
Read the full list of new watchOS 9 features here Apple’s website.
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