Just a couple of days ago, Apple was live with its keynote; WWDC 2020 (Worldwide developer conference) and online conference. They released a lot of information on the pre-recorded live, and it was pretty great. Android users probably have experienced a lot of these features, but now it’s time for Apple to work on those and get better. Maybe the Android guys can learn a thing or two on which they lag behind iOS. They announced a lot of new updates on iOS 14, iWatch, iPad and even for Mac. In this article, I am going to describe the significant highlights on iOS 14 from the Apple event.
Table of Contents
New iOS 14 Features List 2024
-
Re-designed home screen
The latest version of iOS that is iOS 14 will feature a re-designed home screen that will come with support for widgets. The widgets can be customized for work, travel, sports, etc. This is the first time Apple will be changing its iOS home screen. Users can even eliminate the entire screens. The widgets can also be pinned in different sizes.
-
Smart Stack Feature
This iOS 14 Features will help the users to use the on-device intelligence to search the right widget based on time or activity. This feature lets you swipe through your most used widgets, and it can even automatically show you the widget that you may need.
-
Widgets Gallery
This feature helps the users to choose new widgets from the apps, and users can even customize the app on their own.
-
App Library
This user-friendly feature is added by Apple so that users get rid of swiping all the way to the end of the app pages to find one app. They can search the app from the app gallery and get the app at a glance. The applications are arranged and organized into folders. The folders will be automatically categorized, and it is one of the great ways to clean your iPhone’s home screen without losing access to all your stuff.
Also See: Best AirPod Clones that are Worth Buying
If you download a new app, it can either be added to your Home screen or kept in the App Library.
-
Space Saving
Siri requests and incoming phone calls will no longer take over the entire screen. The latest update will feature a compact design where the phone calls will now show up in a small banner on the iPhone’s display, and Siri will be activated with the help of a little animated Siri icon at the bottom of the screen. This feature helps the users to do whatever they were doing without intruding.
-
Picture in Picture Mode
This mode was previously available on the iPad. And, now with iOS 14, the feature will be finally seen in iOS 14 compatible devices. This feature allows you to do multitasking. You can watch videos or talk on face time while also using other applications at the same time.
-
Siri gets smarter
The latest update will feature a brilliant Siri. This time Siri can answer a range of questions with access to all information available on the Internet. Siri can now even send audio messages on your behalf. Keyboard dictation runs on the device while you are dictating messages, notes, email, and more.
-
App Clips feature
This feature is added by Apple to allow users to take the privilege of some app features without needing to download the full app. This feature will enable you to use mini-apps on the spot without having to download, install, and sign in to a big app to do one simple thing. App Clip will be available in the App library. You can use the app as it comes with the update, or you can even choose to download the full app.
Also See: Best Coronavirus Face Mask for Sale
The app clicks feature work through Apple-designed App Clip codes, NFC tags, or QR codes, and can also be shared in Messages or from Safari.
-
Pin an important conversation
Tired of missing out important text messages? Well, with the recent update, you get the chance to pin up to nine conversations, keeping them at the top of your Message stack.
-
Inline Replies
This feature allows you to select a specific message in a conversation, and then you reply to that particular message, just like we do in WhatsApp. iPhone users can now do the same for SMS. This feature is used explicitly in group chats.
-
@mention feature
Are you fed up with the continuous buzzing of groups? Well, you can mute the group chat, and you can use the @mention feature. This feature sends a notification when a user’s name is mentioned.
-
Customize group chat photos
With the update, you will see images of everyone who is a part of group conversation. The group chat photos can be customized. You can use any image or emoji. Moreover, the icons for each person at the top of the conversation will let you know who was the last speaking.
-
Memoji Option
Memoji has always been a go-to option for many people. If you cannot express in word, you can always fall back on Memoji. With the latest update, the users will be getting seven new hairstyles, 16 new pieces of headwear, three new memoji stickers, face coverings, and an expanded range of ages. Moreover, the memoji’s have been redefined with new facial structure and muscle structure to make them more expressive.
-
Additions in Health App
The new update comes with the addition of Sleep Tracking on Apple Watch, plus a Health Checklist for managing health.
-
Additions in the weather app
iOS 14 will come with info on severe weather events, a next-hour precipitation chart, and minute-by-minute precipitation readings when rain is forecast.
-
Maps improvement
The iOS 14 update will feature specific improvements in Maps that will include the location of known speed cameras and red light cameras, route you around congestion zones in cities that have regulated traffic areas, and can provide specialized electric vehicle routing Curated guide feature. It will also feature cycling directions for bike commuters and cyclists, with the instructions taking into account elevation, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs along the route.
Also See: SEMrush Review: 10x Your Traffic [Step-By-Step Guide]
You can even add your vehicle to your iPhone, and you can then keep track of certain things like compatible chargers on route to your destination.
-
Digital Car keys
And now, when you are wondering how amazing the update is going to be, read about this feature. The Digital car keys function/feature allows the users to unlock or start their car with an iPhone or Apple Watch. And in the upcoming year or two, users can lock cars without taking the iPhone out of a pocket. Moreover, car keys can be shared through Messages and disabled via iCloud (just in case your iPhone is lost). However, you might need a new car to get the benefits of this feature. Currently, BMW and Ford are on board, while other car manufacturers are on their way.
-
CarPlay
The CarPlay interface can now have background wallpaper, and you can ask Siri to share your ETA with someone, and it will send them a message that lets them track your progress while you route to your destination. It will also support new app types for parking, electric vehicle charging, and quick food ordering.
-
Smart Home app with automation suggestions and On-device Face Recognition
With iOS 14, the Home app makes smart home control easy and user friendly. It comes with new automation suggestions and expanded controls in Control Center that offers quicker access to accessories and scenes.
The Adaptive lighting feature for compatible HomeKit-enabled lights automatically adjusts the colour temperature the entire day.
The on-device face recognition is compatible with video doorbells and cameras, and it can recognize friends and family if they are at your door.
-
Translate app
This feature helps the users and provides text and video translations to and from 11 languages. It features two modes. The On-device mode lets languages be downloaded for on-device translations only, and a Conversation Mode speaks translations aloud to help the users so that they can talk with someone that speaks a different language. The conversation mode automatically detects the language being spoken and translates correctly.
-
Password Monitoring and Safari improvements
The iOS 14 update will feature Safari password monitoring that offers a Privacy Report to allow users to quickly see which cross-site trackers have been blocked and secure password monitoring to help users detect saved passwords that may have been involved in a data breach. It also monitors the built-in Safari translation feature for webpages.
-
AirPods improvements
Airpods can now effortlessly and automatically switch between Apple devices with automatic device switching. Airpods Pro users will experience this new spatial audio feature for surround sound, complete with dynamic head tracking. Moreover. You will now even be notified when the battery in AirPods or AirPods Pro is about to die.
-
Features added in Find My App
With iOS 14, Find My app will now come with support for third-party products and accessories. The Find, My network accessory program, will allow the users to use the Find My app to locate other essential items apart from their Apple devices.
-
Third-party email and browser apps can be set as default
For the first time with iOS 14, third-party email and browser apps can be set as default.
-
Double/ Triple Tap on the back of the phone for Shortcuts
In the accessibility (from Settings) in iOS, one can choose to assign shortcuts based on the number of taps on the phone. (Works in iPhone 11, still unclear if that will work on those older devices). You can open up a camera or take a screenshot when you assign your shortcuts.
iOS 14 Supported devices list
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (2016)
- iPod touch (7th generation)
My Thoughts
With advancing time, Apple has been working hard on their software and hardware simultaneously. This event was one of those events where they showcased that they have a lot down the pipeline which they will be releasing over the upcoming years. The beta version is up for grabs for the developers who want to use and test it. There would still be bugs which they intend to clear out by the launch which most probably will happen sometime in late September.
Also See: Best Grammarly Alternative [Free & Cheaper]
If you have any suggestions for New iOS 14 FEATURES that we should add in this best iOS 14 FEATURES List, feel free to contact us at [email protected], we always welcome new ideas. Thank you and stay subscribed for more content.
