Monday, 8th June at 7pm, Apple held its release conference of the WWDC 2015. It is a very important appointment every year for fans of the brand but also for the high-tech world, Apple revealed its outline on the software side for the rest of the year.
The program they introduced the new Apple Music, the new version of watchOS, OSX for Mac or else iOS 9. Even if the new version of Apple's mobile OS will not be a great change, like Android M, the new additions will improve the user experience. Here's a summary of the main new features.
A better keyboard that can turn into a trackpad
The first feature presented by Apple iOS 9 was the keyboard. Already recognized as an excellent touch keyboard, it will be even better on iOS 9. Thus, on the top bar usually used for predictions now appear to contain extra options like bold, italic, underlined etc.
Small options that are found in the word processing software now at hand. It is rather a good addition. There will be available on the same bar some shortcuts like cut, copy and paste. No need to juggle on the text to find these options.
Besides, the big news of the keyboard is the possibility, with using two fingers on the same keyboard, to turn it into a trackpad, like on Mac. This function allows you to select the text very intuitively without hiding it with your fingers or your hand. Again it is a detail but rather felt good.
Notes: much more than a notepad
Notes will not be a simple notepad. Apple felt that its note-taking tools began to be seriously outdated. Users demanded an enhancement for a long time, it will be done in the next iOS 9.
Another new feature, is offering more advanced text rendering options. We can for example structure notes in a few touches, choose title formats, subtitles etc. Layout models can also be selected before starting to write, such as a shopping list model.
It is also possible to easily insert pictures, videos and even add up content from Safari or Maps. Finally, as already seen in Galaxy Note, it will be possible to draw on Notes.
Search: Apple unveils Google Now
With the Search function improved thanks to what Apple calls Proactive, iOS 9 makes the company get closer to Google Now on Android. A new menu shows up and gives you access to multiple information: such as recent contacts, most used applications and some nearby services location as the nearest restaurant for example.
Obviously, Siri will be take part and be added to Proactive, it fits like a real wizard. It can for example retrieve information from emails, messages and act autonomously based on their content.
Best of all, Apple announced a new API that will allow developers to create applications that will be supported by Search. This opening will allow the same support to deep linking like whena user clicks on a link as when visiting Airbnb services for example, the application will open directly. And considering the trip place, information about it will appear in Search.
Transit: catching up to Maps
It's not a surprise to anyone if one says that Apple Maps is way far from catching up to the service offered by Google and other competitors like Nokia Here. On iOS 9, Apple shows a lot of new features including Transit, which is a really good idea.
If Google Maps and Consort offer a quality navigation, they do not take into account transport. With the new Transit application, Apple's service takes a new breath. Like Maps, Transit will provide a mapping of cities but including public transport with specific features. Maps is not left behind since now nearby services will be spotted on the cards. For now, some large US and Chinese cities will support Transit.
A multitasking inspired by Windows but improved
It was certainly the most anticipated news regarding iOS 9. The new version of the OS opens with the arrival of multi-tasking with multi-windows. It will be now possible on only iPad Air 2 to run multiple applications simultaneously, and sharing the screen at will. Does it remind you of anything? Windows 8 for example, or certain manufacturers' Android layers.
It will also be possible to watch a video while using another application. Video can be moved on the screen and resized at will. Again, Apple takes what is best and perfectly throw into its own system.
News: Apple's good surprise
News is the real good surprise in the new iOS 9. The Cupertino company -Apple- has submitted a new application that is nothing more than a news aggregator but completely redefines the experience of this type of applications.
Design and interface are the bottom line in News app. If the application is appealing it is primarily because of that. It feels like flipping real magazines, a bit like Flipboard, but this is even more effective. The videos and photos are perfectly integrated into the whole picture. Really impressive but this application will be available initially only in US, UK and Australia.
All these new features are only a small part of what Apple prepares. What comes in mind about this iOS 9 ? Overall, the Cupertino company took what was best around, and fed its OS to make it a warfare tool.
We find all the good ideas of Android, Windows and even some applications. In some cases, the company is catching up, in others it tries to improve with all its knowledge what already existed. After all, why not it? as long as the formula works perfectly.
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