At Apple’s WWDC 2020 event, the tech giant lifted the lid on iOS 14, which is expected to launch fully in September alongside the iPhone 12 range. But you don’t have to wait until then to get it in your hands, as you already there is a beta version available.
The update makes some major changes to some of the distinctive features of the mobile platform, which is likely to excite many people. Among the new widgets, translation tools, and a simplified new look for Siri, there’s a lot to get stuck on.
We’ve spent some time with the first public beta, and we’ve put together this handy cheat list to get you started. Be sure to let us know if we have missed any.
Technically, widgets aren’t new to iOS, but iOS 14 sees them jump out of ‘Today’ view on the leftmost home screen to the main home screens on their phone where they can live alongside their apps.
All widgets are set up to provide clear information at a quick glance, so whether you’re checking your activity rings, checking the remaining battery in your AirPods, or accessing commonly used files, this feature is long overdue.
With that said, third-party apps are likely to generate much of the excitement around the system, so we’re expecting potential Spotify widgets, for example.
To add a widget, simply tap and hold the home screen and tap the ‘+’ icon in the upper left corner to be able to select a widget, and then select the shape you want it to be, before placing it on your home screen
2. Add or remove home screens
Speaking of home screens, there’s nothing like condensing your app collection into one panel. However, that is not always possible, so Apple now allows users to essentially hide the pages of their home screen.
This also hides the apps on those pages, but don’t worry, you don’t uninstall them, just add them to the App Library (which we will see shortly).
Long press on the home screen to enter ‘jiggle mode’ and then tap the dots on the base that show how many screens there are. From there, you can simply enable or disable them.
3. Check out the new app library
If you’re looking for a specific app that was on one of its hidden home screens, you don’t need to show and hide again once you’ve opened it.
Swiping right opens the App Library, a new way to select your apps into categories. From there, you can launch any of the apps that have a large icon with a single tap, or open a category by tapping the square of four smaller icons, and from there you will have one-touch access to all the apps within.
4. Try the new translation application
Apple’s new Translate app is a handy new addition that offers on-device translation, meaning you don’t need to be connected to the internet to function (ideal if you’ve put your device in airplane mode or disabled data to avoid charges for roaming).
Simply enter the chosen phrase, specify the desired language and voila, your translated phrase will appear.
5. Translate a web page in Safari
While this is not currently available in beta, you will soon be able to translate entire web pages in Safari with just two taps.
Find the website you want to translate, then tap the ‘AA’ button on the left of the search bar. If the site is compatible, it will offer the opportunity to translate.
6. Avoid full screen calls
Despite all the things they can do, iPhones are, at the end of the day, phones. Unfortunately, if someone calls you on iOS 13 or earlier, your entire phone becomes unusable until they answer or stop ringing.
Fortunately, iOS 14 offers a highly requested redesign for phone calls received while using your phone. Instead of a full-screen call, you’ll get a drop-down box with options to accept or reject a call, which is much more useful.
7. Use the image in image mode
Not only are voice calls changing, FaceTime calls are now much less intrusive. You can simply return to your home screen while on a call to have your phone continue your video chat in a small ‘picture-in-picture’ frame.
This also works with apps like Netflix, so you can watch Umbrella Academy Season 2 while shooting text messages. Unfortunately YouTube doesn’t support the feature yet. While that could change, it would be a great reason to have YouTube Premium, making it unlikely.
8. Pin talks
The Messages app has seen big changes in recent years, but this one is very welcome. If you want to make sure your partner, family member, or boss’s messages are always accessible, you can now pin conversations to the top of the screen.
Doing it is easy: just hold down a conversation and then select ‘pin’. This will completely separate the conversation from your inbox, allowing you to control the most important people in your life.
9. Respond to a single person in a group conversation
Messages are also finally receiving responses online, which means you can reply to a specific message in one thread.
Just tap and hold the message in question, and then tap to reply. You will be able to reply directly, before returning to the text string.
10. Give your Memoji a fresh look
Memoji are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, and are about to become even more customizable.
Your digital avatar can now wear facial covers and can also grow old. That’s useful because group messages now add Memoji to the chat icon.
11. Plan a bike trip
Cycling instructions have reached Apple Maps, but only in compatible locations. Still, once you have selected your destination and have chosen the pedals over the gasoline, you will be able to choose to exit the stairs, check the elevation, and even see how much of your route is shared with pedestrians.
12. Enjoy a selection of recommended places to visit.
The other great new hack from Apple Maps this year is the new Guides, which offer select ideas for doing things in your chosen location. I could show you the best pizzerias in New York or take you to the best bars in London.
They will also update over time, and you can save guides to come back to later.
13. Take a look at Siri’s cosmetic surgery
It feels weird to say about a digital assistant, but we love Siri’s new look. Instead of taking up the entire screen, it now appears as a small ‘orb’ at the bottom of the screen when activated.
Once you’ve submitted your request, Siri’s response will appear at the top of the screen. The digital assistant is also smarter than before and can now find answers using the Internet and resources like Wikipedia.
14. Order food with CarPlay
Granted, this is a small niche, but CarPlay has been expanded to allow for more types of applications. If you have an electric vehicle, for example, you will be able to access a charging application, as well as parking applications.
Of course, the real power game is ordering food directly from your car so you can pick it up on the go. What a time to be alive, huh?
