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Hands-On With iOS 15: See Apple's New Operating System Update in Action

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Apple yesterday unveiled iOS 15, the newest version of the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone (and the iPad with iPadOS 15). iOS 15 is a significant update that introduces many important new features, and we thought we'd give MacRumors readers a first look at the new software.


Not everything that was announced yesterday is functional right now, with Apple planning to roll out and refine features over the beta testing period, but there are quite a few changes that you can see right now after installing iOS 15.

There are major updates to FaceTime and Messages with a new SharePlay feature for listening to music and watching videos with friends, plus a new Focus mode that lets you focus on the task at hand whether that's work, personal time, or something else.

Maps has been overhauled with an updated design and more detail in select cities, plus it supports AR walking directions for the first time. Safari supports Tab Groups for improved organization, and later this year, you'll be able to add your ID card to the Wallet app in some U.S. states. Photos can now read written text and translate it to typed text, and the app can also identify landmarks, plants, pets, and more.

Make sure to watch the video up above to see iOS 15 in action, and for a more complete look at everything that's new in iOS 15, we have a dedicated roundup that walks through all of the new features.

Article Link: Hands-On With iOS 15: See Apple's New Operating System Update in Action
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/08/ios-15-hands-on/
Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
 
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augustrushrox said:
Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I think you are alone. It is one thing to say you don't care for the new design which is fair. it is quite another to suggest that rounded corners make the display look kiddie and patronizing. There is nothing kiddie about round corners. You did a lot of bad projecting.
 
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I was really hoping for better multi tasking. Split screen stuff is only one part of it. I was hoping to have better background capabilities. Nice to be able to switch between apps without losing video in a call for example.
 
For sharing music or a video I thought they said you go into the music or video (apple TV) apps while in a FaceTime call and play and it will then share in the FaceTime call
 
augustrushrox said:
Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Well I at least agree with you. It's like they've digitized the Fisher Price design philosophy. And filled the screen with bubbles too. I don't like it. Their trend is to use screen real estate less and less efficiently so the screens get bigger with more resolution and yet we don't actually get any more usability out of it.

I do really like a lot of the new features they announced. But the aesthetic is bleh.
 
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Stereo Head Tracking Spatial audio is system wide, Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, anything. Not sure why this feature isn’t in iOS 14. People would’ve been incredibly happy if this is what we got with the update. Not Atmos though. It sounds fantastic IMO and this is a massive game changer for those who appreciated Spatial Audio with the movies and content we got it with.

Honestly sounds better, louder, and fuller than Atmos Spatial right now. The Spatial audio support we got in yesterdays update is barebones compared to what it is in iOS15.
 

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headline - ‘See all the changes in action’

opening line - “Sorry, I can’t really show you the change sin action cause of nda. “

Lol, what are we doing here?
 
With Focus mode, can you customise per app?
For instance, during bed time, I want every app to be silenced except for 1 unique app that I "allow" to wake me up. Is that possible to achieve?
 
Apple_Robert said:
I think you are alone. It is one thing to say you don't care for the new design which is fair. it is quite another to suggest that rounded corners make the display look kiddie and patronizing. There is nothing kiddie about round corners. You did a lot of bad projecting.
Click to expand...
Kid-dised is just a choice of words. I am happy (and looking forward to) to see upgrade on Map, but I do agree that the new map detail does look like a bit less pro! To avoid from using the word “kiddised” , i would say the city map view looks like a Nintendo Switch version of Simcity.

Rather than upgrading the map details, I like them to enhance the POI support in the Map search (now a bit lacking and more street address based which would be fine for low dense cities and town but difficult for cities full of commercial buildings), also its integration with other native Apps like contact and calendar that they do not support carrying POI to Map app.
 
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Loving the updates! Can't wait until this is finally out! Safari definitely looks more useful, might take some time to get used to, but looking like a welcome change.
 
Yoms said:
With Focus mode, can you customise per app?
For instance, during bed time, I want every app to be silenced except for 1 unique app that I "allow" to wake me up. Is that possible to achieve?
Click to expand...
That is a good question. I would be interested in such a feature. As it stands, I have my phone set to go silent at a certain time before bed. The same for my watch.
 
It feels like iOS and iPadOS 15 are finished versions of 14 which is fine. I think that all the devices which were capable of running 14 can run 15 supports this. Like it wasn't a low level re-write, but a lot of fixing and expanding on the foundation.
 
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The background music on the video at 3:01 is distracting AF. Made me take my headphones off to see what was making that sound, but it was in the video... youtu.be/jhqZjkZzTPY?t=181
 
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