What to expect from the iOS 9 update
Image Source: 9to5Mac
Apple is rolling out yet another update called iOS 9 to go hand in hand with its future phones the iPhone 6S and iPhone S6 Plus by the end of this year and first things first, the new update will not be limited to its latest flagship phone models like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but will also be available for older versions as far back as the iPhone 4 and iPad.
This iOS 9 platform will have more improvements underneath the hood for a better user experience (UX) but we don’t expect to see much difference when it comes to the user interface (UI).
1. iOS 9 will also come with ForceTouch. This has previously been installed in MacBooks, allowing users to get command prompts within different applications if they press the trackpad hard enough. It uses haptic feedback to work, responding to different levels of pressure differently to give you command options for tasks you want performed. 9to5 Mac says the following integrations will be added:
- Pressure sensitive fast forwarding in media players
- One touch dictionary definitions when typing
- One touch new calendar entries in the Calendar app
- Instant dropping of new pins on Maps
Another application of Force Touch may be in the camera where it will give users options to switch to video or get more shooting modes. However, we don’t expect this to work on older iDevices because they do not have compatible software installed when they were manufactured but Apple has opened up ForceTouch to third-party apps that will enable these devices access some of its features.
2. Apple Pay is expected to roll out with the update. This mobile wallet service has only been available in the USA, with Canada as the next target, and eventually other countries over the next year so do not hold your breath for it, Zambians. Apple created Apple Pay for its devices and says “there’s no need to open an app or even wake your display thanks to the innovative Near Field Communication antenna in iPhone 6. To pay, just hold your iPhone near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID. You don’t even have to look at the screen to know your payment information was successfully sent. A subtle vibration and beep let you know.” Apple Pay works with most banks in the USA, and on iDevices like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the Apple Watch, and the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3. With older devices like the iPhone 5 and 5S, this can work if paired with the Apple Watch.
3. Improved keyboard, as iOS 8 had an issue with the shift and caps key which would not indicate to the user that it was activated. The new keyboard may sort out this issue and we also expect the keypad to look longer when the phone is flipped to its side in portrait mode.
The update will also have a mapping application of its own that Apple has been working on for years called Maps, but we don’t expect Zambia to be one of the countries which will have access to it, most likely only available to the USA, UK and Asia initially.
We have not been informed of any changes to the user interface of the operating system so it seems Apple is trying to improve its performance more than anything. We know the tech giant will only reveal the full details about the new iOS 9 at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 2015), which will be on June 8th this year so we’ll just have to wait for that.
