What is happening
Apple is expected to announce iOS 16 on Monday. We hope to see an always-on screen, better widgets and an iPad-like split-screen feature, among other updates.
Why it matters
Software updates introduce new features that keep the iPhone fresh and relevant, even for older models.
What next
Apple typically unveils new iPhone updates during its WWDC conference, which begins June 6, before releasing them in the fall.
Apple’s 2022 World Developer Conference kicks off on Monday, and we look forward to seeing iOS 16 for the first time – probably the name of Apple’s next major software update for the iPhone. There’s also a good chance we’ll see previews of software updates for Apple’s other major products: iPadOS 16, WatchOS 9 and MacOS. But iOS 16 will probably be the star of the show as it provides a glimpse into the new features coming to the iPhone this fall.
The last three versions of iOS are similar. iOS 15 feels like a reef of iOS 14, which felt like a sequel to iOS 13. Any visual changes can be turned on and off instead of being forced on your iPhone. For example, if you don’t like home screen widgets or focus mode, you don’t need to use them. Even if you drop the more obvious changes, launching iOS 15 brings a bunch of background enhancements to keep your iPhone running smoothly and securely. And this will probably be the case with iOS 16.
iOS 15 has been out for seven months and the operating system is relatively stable with very few bugs. Implementing some features, such as Universal Control and SharePlay, has taken some time, but it seems that everything is already working and working. iOS 16 is likely to continue where iOS 15 stops, adding new features to existing designs.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things Apple needs to add or improve. My colleagues and I have compiled a list of improvements, additions and tweaks that we would like Apple to make for iOS 16. Some are big, like adding support for Apple Pencil, and others are small but significant, like giving home screen widgets more functionality. We’ll have to wait to see what Apple actually does.
iOS 16: The Photos app needs to be copied and pasted for editing
We use the iPhone to take photos and videos all the time, and editing photos is just as satisfying as taking them. Most people’s place to edit is the Photos app on the iPhone: the interface is clear and there are plenty of tools to get the exact look you want.
But the MacOS version of Photos has one useful feature that would improve iPhone editing: the ability to copy and paste edits between photos. This is especially useful when taking multiple photos in the same place, such as a restaurant or party. Since all photos are taken under the same lighting and conditions, you can simply edit one photo and then copy and paste these adjustments into the others.
You can copy and paste photo edits from one photo to another using the Photos app on your Mac.
Patrick Holland / CNET
Instead, in iOS 15, you are left to make these adjustments one by one for each iPhone photo. It’s annoying.
In iOS 16, it would be great to see a similar feature for copying and pasting iPhone. We will give bonus points for iOS 16 if the edits you made in the Photos app on Mac can be applied to the Photos app on iPhone and vice versa. But step by step.
Apple Watch always has a display that can show important information and save battery life.
Apple
Always on lock screen for iPhone
Imagine being able to look at your iPhone when the screen is off to see the time, notifications, and missed calls. This feature has been available on Android phones for years, where only important information is lit, otherwise the screen is black. It’s called a permanently on display. Apple offers an always-on display option for the Apple Watch Series 5 and later, but it’s still missing on the iPhone.
But Apple may change that soon with iOS 16, which is said to bring future support for on-screen display functionality, according to Bloomberg. The update will allow the iPhone to reduce the refresh rate of the locked screen to display pieces of information, but a Bloomberg report shows that this feature may be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
Bring the split-screen view of the iPad to iPhone Pro Max models
The iPhone Pro Max is part of Apple’s 2019 range. The 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch screen, while the 12 Pro Max and 13 Pro Max have a 6.7-inch display that allows you to watch videos, play games and to read articles absolute pleasure.
But these big screens feel wasted when it comes to software. Some iOS apps, such as Mail and Messages, can take advantage of this extra screen space in landscape mode to display a column of message previews next to the currently open message. But otherwise there is not much else in iOS to take advantage of these larger screens.
Split View debutes on iPad with iOS 9.
Apple
Apple can import some iPadOS features into iOS 16 only for Pro Max models, especially its split screen, multitasking view. It would be great to have Safari open on one side of the phone screen and then launch Messages on the other.
Read more: iOS 15 can make the iPhone 12 Pro more professional
Apple Pencil support for iPhone Pro Max models
The big screen of the iPhone Pro Max models asks for support for Apple Pencil. Samsung has proven that it has a significant phone stylus audience through its Galaxy Note and S Ultra devices. Hell, there are even $ 300 phones like the Moto G Stylus that support one.
Apple Pencil is compatible with iPad Mini, Air and Pro. We would like Apple to add support for iPhone Pro Max models.
Apple
The second-generation Apple Pencil is an exclusive stylus that currently works with the iPad Mini, Air and Pro. But imagine that you can use it on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and its 120Hz screen for sketching and taking notes. Better yet, how about an Apple Pencil Mini (think the size of a golf pencil) that can be attached to the side of the iPhone Pro Max? Technology journalists can dream, right?
IPhone gadgets need more functionality
When home screen gadgets came to the iPhone with iOS 14, many of us rejoiced. The implementation of Apple’s gadgets has been cleaned up and even Samsung has started to imitate them. Gadgets fit like a grid anywhere on your home screen. But there is a wrinkle: the widgets on the home screen are passive. In addition to smart information stacks or widgets, the biggest functionality they provide is the ability to open their respective application.
With iOS 14, Apple brought gadgets to the home screen. iOS 16 can add more functionality.
Jason Cipriani / CNET
For example, the Apple Music widget shows the song that is currently playing. Touching the widget takes me to the Apple Music app. But what if you can tap the widget to move on to the next song? What if you could slide into the weather gadget to switch places? Hopefully, iOS 16 gives home screen widgets more functionality.
We won’t know for sure until Apple announces iOS 16. But Bloomberg says the company may introduce new lock screen options that have functionality like the iOS 16 widget. It may not be exactly what we want, but the report from Bloomberg suggests Apple may be planning some sort of upgrade for gadgets in iOS 16.
Let’s put applications where we want
In recent years, Apple has improved the home screen with new features such as widgets and the application library. You can have multiple application pages and even include the same application on different pages on the home screen (which is important if you are an experienced user in focus mode).
The app library is one of a handful of ways Apple has improved the iPhone’s home screen. We hope that in iOS 16 we can move applications wherever we want on the screen.
Patrick Holland / CNET
But when it comes to rearranging the app icons on your app page, nothing has changed. Applications are glued to the invisible software magnet in the upper left corner of the screen. So if you want to save only a few apps on a particular page on the home screen, those apps start filling the screen in the upper left corner. You cannot place them at the bottom of the screen without first filling in the top of the page.
Apple, please give us the freedom to move applications wherever we want. This would be a great advantage for making it easier to access applications with one hand without using Reachability. In addition, if you have a wallpaper on the home screen that you like, you can arrange apps so that you can see your photo better.
More options for default applications
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