I’m no Apple expert, but I am one of the many who have been lured by Apple’s marketing techniques and, yes, I have an iPhone. Which is why, as a dedicated/enthralled/sometimes frustrated Apple user, I’m here to tell you about some of the new features you can expect with the anticipated iOS 13 update—especially how it could impact you and your family.
Reportedly set to launch sometime in early fall, iOS 13 has been in its beta stage since last June. So, if you’re a beta user you probably already know this stuff, but for those of you who don’t like to wade into beta-filled territories, this is for you.
Dark Mode
This feature is designed to give your phone a system-wide dark color scheme that should help protect your eyes from late-night viewing (not that kids should be on their phone past 8 p.m. anyway…ahem).
Sign in with Apple
Apple is now allowing users to sign into third-party apps with their own form of one-click sign in. Google and Facebook are already doing this, but the difference is that you have to put in all of your information from your birthday to your social security number (just kidding) to even sign-in. What Apple is proposing is that you can choose to put in your personal email, or you can have a random email created so that you can log-in without being watched. Ah, the illusion of privacy.
Faster Performance
iOS 13 promises faster download times and a faster login to Face ID. We shall see.
Siri
I must admit, I’d MUCH rather talk to Alexa than Siri, she’s far more competent, but it would be nice if Siri stepped up her game. Thanks to iOS 13, Siri is said to give users shortcuts to make their lives easier, ask follow-up questions, respond with far more clarity and sound less like a, uh, robot. And while this extra feature may make our lives easier, Siri’s snappy responses don’t necessarily help our kids practice the magic words of “please” and “thank you.” (Some experts even think that these digital assistants are making our children rude.)
Camera and Pics
iPhone is not the best when it comes to camera quality, unfortunately. But with this new update, Apple is allowing users to change light intensity in Portrait Mode and to get into the nitty-gritty with editing individual photos—a win for all those precious pictures you take of your toddler. Oh, and there will be some layout changes to the Photos tab.
Maps
This will be something I’ll need to see to believe, but Apple is adding more detail to Maps; things like 3D view and accurate transit information so you can get to that meeting on time.
Emoji’s and Messages
Apple is adding some new emojis and animojis to their list, as well as giving users the option to further customize their own ”memojis”. As for Messages, the folks at Apple say that you’ll be able to share your personal name and photo when you start a conversation with someone, if you want. You’ll also be able to, use the search bar with more ease and type quicker with one hand using something its makers call QuickPath—essentially a keyboard that utilizes the ability to swipe instead of type.
Augmented Reality
Want to know how furniture might look in your kid’s bedroom before you buy it? Or maybe you’d like to make an alligator come to life in your kitchen? Whatever your fancy, Apple is diving further into the world of AR, where you can immerse yourself in digital creations that don’t really exist. It’s unclear yet if you will need additional equipment, like special glasses, to use AR on the iOS 13 update, but hopefully all of that will be revealed in time.
Well, you’ve made it through the list and just in time to realize that I have a love/hate relationship with Apple. Hopefully iOS 13 will bring some great changes without forcing me to purchase a new phone. If you’ve explored iOS 13 as a Beta user, or have anything to share, drop a comment below.
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