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Begin forwarded message:
From: Tony Sweeney <tonymsweeney@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: 7 August 2015 8:38:20 p.m. CEST
To: ireland vip news <irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: [IrelandVIPNews] Apple iOS 9: expect slicker Siri, improved
multitasking
Reply-To: List for discussing news and issues relating to the visually
impaired in Ireland <irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxx>
(Must say here that I myself use Android just in case anyone is wondering.)
Brace yourself: iOS 9 is coming. A few weeks remain before the final version
of AppleÂs software will be made available for general download, but with
the beta programme running, everyone is talking about the changes being made.
iOS 7 was the version that drastically changed the look of AppleÂsmobile
software, but iOS 9 marks the first time Apple has invited the public to test
a full release ahead of its general launch.
The company brought out the public beta system for iOS 8.3 and has continued
to offer early adopters the chance to get the updates ahead ofschedule.
When it finally launches some time in the autumn, iOS 9 will go up against
Android M andWindows 10 Mobile, which launches on July 29th.
Android M, unveiled at GoogleÂs I/O conference earlier this year, is set to
be launched on a new Nexus handset later this year, probably about the same
time as iOS9, before rolling out other compatible handsets.
AppleÂs newest software is essentially a refinement of iOS 7 and iOS 8,
rather than the complete overhaul thatÂs gone before, but it concentrates on
adding a few things that were always missing from the mobile operating system.
Depending on what device you use, iOS 9 will bring you a host of new
features. Multitasking, sadly, is iPad only, and even then only for the iPad
Air, Mini 2 and above, but a revamped version of Notes, a more useful Siri
and new transit features for Maps will be shared across iPhones from the 4S
and above, and the iPad Mini and iPad 2 and above.
Many of the new features in iOS were announced in June at AppleÂs developer
conference. But with the beta version, tweaks are appearing all the time.
Based on the current beta software  these features may change before Apple
officially launches iOS 9 later in the year  hereÂs a bit of what to
expect.
Siri
Siri is one of those things everyone got excited about, but fewer use
consistently. A strawpoll of iPhone users at The Irish Times revealed only
one person who occasionally called on AppleÂs digital assistant to create
their appointments or messages. Someone is using it, though; according to
Apple at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Siri gets almost one billion
requests a week. There were no figures on how many of those were marriage
proposals, requests for Siri to tell them a joke, or simply repeated efforts
to get Siri to do what you wanted in the first place.
But that could be about to change. Siri has become more accurate and faster,
according to Apple, by up to 40 per cent, if the figures are to be believed.
With iOS 9, it will also get a lot more useful.
Siri is smarter, allowing you to search for photographs from a specific
event, for example, or to set more useful reminders. And itÂs also behind a
better Spotlight search for the system, giving users more options as they
start to search and even beforehand, with the search screen including things
like your most recent contacts, suggested apps and local news. If youÂre a
frequent Facebooker, this will make life easier.
Your iPhone with iOS 9 will also be a bit more proactive. If you have a
specific playlist for running in the morning, the system will call it up as
soon as you plug your headphones in. For every person who sees that as one
step closer to Skynet, another sees it as a useful feature that makes their
day easier. WeÂre wavering between the two.
Multitasking
Available only for later iPad models and the iPad Mini, multitasking on iOS 9
throws more than a nod to Windows 8.
It can be done in a few different ways. Sliding over allows you to send a
text, browse the web or reply to a Tweet without leaving your original app.
The second app slides in from the side and goes away when youÂre done. The
split view is more like Windows 8; you can open two apps side by side and
work on them alternately. ItÂs handy for sending emails while researching
online, or working on a note while checking through emails. The final option
is picture-in-picture, which puts your Facetime call or video in a small
window at the touch of a button so you can keep working or reading while the
video plays. The latest beta adds picture-in-picture for podcasts.
New shortcuts make it easy to switch between apps or bring up search, and
text can be more easily selected by moving two fingers over the screen .
There is also a new shortcut bar for formatting text, for example.
Notes
Notes, as we saw at the Worldwide Developers Conference, has had a serious
overhaul. Instead of the slightly flat text application, itÂs now capable of
including everything from handwritten notes to images. You can also turn
things into checklists within individual notes. You can add maps to notes, or
share things from Safari directly to a new memo. ItÂs a good job, and Notes
may find a new lease of life on this iPhone as a result.
AppleÂs native Mail app hasnÂt been given a drastic overhaul in iOS9,
despite the fact it hasnÂt changed much over the years. A few things could
make your life a little easier, like adding attachments, for example.
Previously, you couldnÂt add an attachment, unless it was a photo or video,
as you were writing an email. Instead, you had to share it from within the
app you created it in. But in iOS 9, documents and other attachments are
treated the same way as images and video: one long press and a menu pops up
to allow you to attach a file to your email. Much more convenient.
Home Sharing
Guess whatÂs back? Home Sharing. Remember when Apple released the iOS 8.4
update that gave us Apple Music? Well, Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away.
And then it giveth back again. Home Sharing suddenly disappeared when the 8.4
update was installed, meaning you couldnÂt share your iTunes media library
to your home computer. The complaints were loud, especially from those who
werenÂt planning on using Apple Music. But it turns out Taylor Swift isnÂt
the only person Apple listens to; the newest version of the iOS 9 beta brings
back Home Sharing, which weÂre all very pleased to see.
HandoffÂs user interface has been tweaked too, which is a small but welcome
move.
Apple News
Apple has come up with its own news app, which is more than a little
reminiscent of Flipboard. Users will be able to create their own magazine
with articles pulled from various sources. ItÂs your news but presented a
bit more imaginatively, and itÂs built into iOS, which mean you donÂt have
to download an extra app.
Move to iOS
If all that isnÂt enough to tempt Android users to change over to iOS, Apple
has included another new app to smooth the way: Move to iOS. The app
wirelessly moves all your content from your Android phone to your new iPhone,
making the process as painless as possible.
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/apple-ios-9-expect-slicker-siri-improved-multitasking-1.2307577?utm_source=lunchtime_digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_digest
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