New iOS: What You Might Have Missed

New iOS’ treasure: what you might have missed

It appears that there is no end to riches the latest iOS’ version (that would be 14.4) can offer to the proud owners of Apple’s new iPhones. So it’s easy to overlook a thing or two (or ten, or more) in this maze of options, modes and all kinds of ways of doing things. And that means that a little help would not be amiss – and we, as usual, are here to draw your attention to something useful that might have gone unnoticed even by the eagle-eyed Apple crowd members.

The first of which somethings would be, in our view, a few new additions to your iPhones’ home screens. For instance, there is a new place to keep rarely-used applications, called AppLibrary. Just swipe to the leftmost – and here it will be. Also, you can now fill the space you free this way with some widgets. Yes, they can now be placed on home screen, and be made to look great at that, thanks to new stylizing options.

Moreover, it’s not just individual widgets’ appearance you can change now. There is also the possibility to combine widgets into your own bespoke Smart Stacks. Remember how to make new folders on your phone? Sure you do. Well, the way here is identical. Just slide them where you want them.

And your new design options don’t end there. You can play with the look of your icons, too. The new enriched Shortcuts allows you to come up with your own ideas of app thumbnails and implement them to your heart’s content. Whichever icon seems boring or even ugly to you, just download the image you’d prefer and use it instead (though we must admit, it does take a while… but it can well amuse you in the process).

Then, there’s another innovation, in the form of App Clips, and as far as we are concerned, it’s no less than a mini-revolution. Indeed, it’s hard to call using applications without installing them a cosmetic change. Just think how much space it will save you. Granted, it will give you only a limited access to uninstalled apps’ options, but still you’ll get some useful info without cluttering your device. And the aforesaid App Library will remember every “clip” you’ve used this way and store it for future use, just in case.

There is also a special gift for those Apple lovers who are into photography (and who have likely been looking forward to for a long time): the fully lossless, “raw” format of pictures is now available on their phones. And those pictures will be editable too, suffering nary a drop in quality as a result.

Fitness enthusiasts are going to be made happy as well, because the new system incorporates Apple Fitness Plus in their gadgets. And this goes across all the device lines, not stopping just at phones: whether you have an iPhone, an iPad or an Apple TV, that will be enough to bring workout videos (with instructions) into your home (every week, at that) and gear your Apple Watch to track your exercises.

One of those workouts, by the way, is worth being mentioned separately, for it is, firstly, a new thing in itself, and, secondly, it includes somewhat of a premium feature. The “Time To Walk” that both new iOS and new WatchOS offer you employs services of various stars who will virtually accompany you during, yes, your walks. Their heartening tales, interspersed with musical pieces of their choosing, will certainly enliven and animate your daily dose of steps.

Video viewing experience has been enriched for iPhone owners too, with the inclusion of Picture-in-Picture feature, previously only available on iPad. As long as you don’t exit from your video-showing app and just leave it playing in the background, it won’t switch off once you start another video. Alas, not every video-capable app is covered (the most conspicuous absence is that of YouTube), but it is still a step forward.

Another set of photo and video-related upgrades includes the fast multiple shooting option, exposure adjustment, “keep your device still” reminder switching on in the dark and mirror mode of the selfie camera allowing for more thorough checking of how you’ll look there in advance.

Going from video to sound (and from main gadgets to accessories), note that the new OS has brought a significant upgrade to AirPods Pro as well. The headset now sports Spatial Audio that takes into account every move and turn of your head, tailoring the sound accordingly.

Plus, there is a new freedom for whoever is unhappy at being stuck with Apple’s proprietary browser and mail software. Finally, it becomes possible to choose another defaults than Safari and Apple Mail (yes, even Google’s alternatives).

And, now that we mentioned freedom, from now there is an added choice of ways to start an application or, say, creating a screenshot. Screen-tapping is no longer the only method of doing it: back-tapping also works (you’ll have to do it up to three times, but still).

Now one more important improvement everyone, regardless of their preferences, should pay attention to relates to privacy. It has always been Apple’s strong point, but with iOS 14 you will be able to protect even more of your details when using location-requiring apps thanks to a new mode that lets you, if you so wish, hide your precise spot, informing the app only of your overall location. There are also auto-warnings of your microphone / camera being used and more flexible settings for photographs’ access.

Finally, let it be known that this iOS version will change the look of your iPad somewhat, increasing its similarity to the modern MacBooks. At first glance, this change may seem more superficial than others, but firstly, iOS 14-equipped iPads will adopt not just the appearance of Macs, but also some of their controls, and secondly, Apple – and their fans – are nothing if style-minded, so be prepared.

And enjoy it all.

Links

• About iOS 14 Updates – Official Apple Support
• Sell a Pre-owned iPhone Online – iGotOffer
• Everything About Apple’s Products – The complete guide to all Apple consumer electronic products, including technical specifications, identifiers and other valuable information.

iOS 14.4 is Out – What’s New? [Video]

Video uploaded by zollotech on January 26, 2021