iOS 16 for iPhones builds on privacy, interface

This is the year it could have gone either way. Either Apple could have continued with an incremental upgrade for the next iOS for iPhone. Or there could have been wholesale changes. Yet, Apple found a third way. A middle path, which mixes a bit of either, for iOS 16 that rolls out for iPhones later this year. The highlights include a redone lock screen, updates to the iMessage platform, as well as a new privacy tool called Safety Check, FaceTime versatility, CarPlay, the expansion of health apps as well as Family Sharing, particularly for child device management.In case you are wondering when your iPhone will be able to get the iOS 16 update, it is a three-step process before we get to the final release. The developer previews, which essentially are very early test builds, are now being shared with developers. There is a promise for the public beta builds rolling out next month. The final release will be in Fall (this will be the September and October timeline; sometime just after the next iPhone unveil), which gives developers and the public a few months ahead with the test versions. That said, it isn’t at all recommended to run test builds on what may be your primary iPhone, because these may have bugs that could restrict functionality.For once, the iPhone will allow for extensive customization even before you unlock the screen. Incoming options include the ability to tweak font styles and colours for the elements you’re well versed with, such as the clock. There will also be a layer to add widgets, something Apple will give access to third-party app developers as well, for their apps. Also, there will be multiple lock screens too, which will be accessible by swiping right or left. App notifications will now also roll up, as Apple calls it, from the bottom of the lock screen. Don’t want to be distracted? Swipe them back down, and all you’ll have remaining is a helpful notification number guideline.Focus, a more versatile evolution of do not disturb (DND) which has been present on Android phones, can also be tied in with different lock screens. Simply swiping would enable the linked profile – one screen can be configured to keep the work app (such as mails and calendar notifications) front and centre, but perhaps one lock screen with a wallpaper of your child can be configured to focus on Messages and personal emails but keep the official email account and calendar notifications to one side.Messages are getting a rather versatile set of features. You’ll now be able to edit a message already sent and have the option to delete (recall is the word you would be looking for here) a message that’s been sent. That would be great news if you have the habit of making typos or sending messages without thinking. Either option is quite palatable, in an urgent situation. Once iOS 16 rolls into town, Messages app will also let users mark messages as unread, which is a good way to quickly realize later which chats you may need to return to.A new privacy tool called Safety Check will be part of iOS 16, which can be helpful to users whose personal safety may be at risk from domestic violence. This will help to quickly removing all access they’ve granted to others, such as location access, within the family group. This will include an emergency reset for a quick sign out of iCloud on all their other devices as well, while resetting privacy permissions for apps. The tool will allow choice of who to share access for their information with. Any new messages sent to the person taking all these precautions, will only land on the device they are using at the time, and not any other synced devices such as another iPhone, iPad or Mac.For parents who need to set up an Apple device for their children, Family Sharing will be more intuitive, in terms of the options on offer and the guidance it can provide. For instance, you’ll be able to set the child’s age and each app’s content filters will be adjusted accordingly – this would also include content such as movies, books, and music. The same settings get carried forward when a new device is set up for the child at some point later. Speaking of setups, parents will be able to set up a new device for their child by bringing their iPhone in proximity, with all account configurations replicated.There are two changes on the health and fitness front too. First, the Fitness app in the iPhones which till now worked well only if you had an Apple Watch synced, will now be opened for all iPhone users. It’ll use the data from the various sensors on the iPhone to track your movement and activity. The calorie burn calculations will be an estimate, but users will get a fair idea of their activity levels.The companion app, called Health, will add a new functionality called Medications. You’ll be able to add medication reminders, track if you’ve followed the schedule and keep tabs on family with the shared medications lists. The app, based on the medicines you’ve logged in, will alert you about interactions to avoid, such as with other medicines or food and alcohol.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world.
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