Apple has released iOS 15 beta 1 to developers, the software was made official at Apple’s WWDC 2021 Keynote event yesterday.
iOS 15 beta 1 brings a wide range of new features to the iPhone, Apple has also released iPadOS 15 beta 1 to developers.
Major Changes in FaceTime and Messages
The first beta of iOS 15 brings some major changes to FaceTime, there is the new SharePlay feature, which allows users to share experiences during FaceTime calls. This includes watching movies and TV shows together, listening to music, or sharing your screen to view apps together. This makes FaceTime more interactive and engaging, especially in a time when virtual communication is more prevalent.
Additionally, there are some major changes to Apple’s Messages app. The new update introduces a feature called “Shared with You,” which collects content shared in Messages and displays it in the corresponding app. For example, if someone shares a news article with you, it will appear in the Apple News app under a new “Shared with You” section. This feature extends to Photos, Safari, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and the Apple TV app, making it easier to keep track of shared content.
Enhancements in Apple Maps, Weather, and Safari
Apple Maps has also received significant updates in iOS 15. The new version includes more detailed maps with enhanced road details, improved navigation, and a new 3D city-driving experience. Public transit users will benefit from new features like nearby transit information and the ability to pin favorite transit lines. Additionally, the new augmented reality (AR) walking directions provide step-by-step guidance in major cities.
The Weather app has been redesigned to include more graphical displays of weather data, full-screen maps, and dynamic layouts that change based on conditions. This makes it easier to understand weather conditions at a glance.
Safari has undergone a major redesign with a new tab bar that floats at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to reach with one hand. The new tab groups feature allows users to save and organize tabs, which can be accessed across devices. Safari also introduces a customizable start page and new privacy protections, including Intelligent Tracking Prevention that now prevents trackers from profiling you using your IP address.
New Features for Apple Wallet and Privacy Enhancements
The next major release of iOS also gets a range of design changes and some new features for Apple Wallet. One of the most notable additions is the ability to unlock your car and home using your iPhone. This feature leverages Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise spatial awareness, ensuring that only you can unlock your car or home when you are nearby.
Apple Wallet will also support storing driving licenses and State IDs in supported states in the USA. This digital ID feature is designed to be secure and private, with encrypted communication between your device and the issuing authority.
There are even more privacy features coming to iOS with this release. This includes some major privacy updates for Mail, such as Mail Privacy Protection, which hides your IP address and prevents senders from knowing when you open an email. Additionally, there are new privacy controls for Siri, including on-device speech recognition, which means your audio requests are processed entirely on your iPhone by default, making Siri faster and more secure.
So far, the first beta of iOS 15 has been released to developers. As yet, we do not have any details on when the first Public Beta will be made available. However, it is expected to be released in the coming weeks, allowing more users to experience the new features and provide feedback before the official release later this year.
Source Apple
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