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iOS 16 rumors — everything we know so far

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These are the dates for Apple’s upcoming significant iPhone software update

(Image credit: Hacker 34/YouTube)

There is now a countdown to the release of iOS 16. The first leaks have begun to emerge from the upcoming WWDC 2022 in June. As a result, we should expect to learn more about Apple’s plans for the next generation of iPhone software at some point in the near future.

For those who haven’t yet upgraded to iOS 16, there is another reason to pay attention to iOS 16. iOS 16 will arrive as the default operating system for Apple’s upcoming flagship phones at the same time as the company’s next round of flagship phones. iOS 16’s unveiling today could also give us a sneak peek at the iPhone 14 versions that are expected later this year, if rumours are true.

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Rumored features for iOS 16 are few at the present, but the first reports regarding possible improvements are starting to emerge. Due to the fact that Apple creates all of its software in-house, the company keeps a tight rein on upcoming additions until WWDC. Contrast that with the iPhone, which is always leaking information about upcoming modifications to Apple phones thanks to the many supply chain partners.

We’ve heard a little bit about iOS 16 already, but more rumours are sure to surface in the months leading up to WWDC 2022, which will take place this coming summer. In addition, we offer a few suggestions for how Apple should improve its mobile software. Apple hasn’t released a release date or a list of compatible devices for iOS 16 yet, but here’s what we know so far:

Rumors about when iOS 16 will be released

In order to give app developers enough time to update their applications to operate with Apple’s forthcoming iOS version, Apple regularly reveals its impending software updates during its annual Worldwide Developer Conference.

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This year’s WWDC takes off on June 6 with an opening-day keynote from Apple CEO Tim Cook. At that point, we’d bet the farm on an iOS 16 preview. Developers receive a beta of the new iOS software when Apple shows off a sneak peek of it at WWDC.

Also, Apple has a well-established software public beta programme, with the public beta usually ready at the end of the month or at the beginning of the new month at the very latest. So, by the end of June, you should be able to download a public beta.

I believe that iOS 16 will be released alongside the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro in fall. Apple often releases new iPhones in September, but we have no idea when the iPhone 14 will arrive. Same-day release is expected.

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How many smartphones can run iOS 16?

As far back as the iPhone 6s, which was originally released in the fall of 2015, support has been provided for Apple’s most recent two software updates. Given the quantity of iOS 15 functions requiring newer technology, we believe several older models may be on their way out. It has been rumoured that Apple will no longer be supporting the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and the original iPhone SE, which was released in 2016.

If Apple discontinues support after iOS 16, owners of those devices will have nothing to complain about. Six years have passed since the release of the first iPhone SE, and this fall will mark the seventh anniversary of the iPhone 6s. It’s only logical to think that some iOS 16 features may be beyond the capabilities of those devices given the advancements in computing power over the last few years.

Apple provides a separate iPadOS software update for iPad compatibility. We expect this year’s version to have many of the same features as iOS 16, but with tablet-specific capabilities as well.

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A look at the rumoured iOS 16 features:

iOS 16 plans haven’t been revealed by Apple, but a few leakers have hinted to a few possible modifications to the company’s iPhone software later in 2016. Ongoing improvements to Apple’s widget feature, first introduced in iOS 14, have been a recurring rumour for quite some time.

image credits: apple

According to a tweet from LeaksApplePro, Apple is developing “large widgets,” which are containers for several widgets. As detailed by LeaksApplePro, iOS 16’s huge widgets are similar to iOS 15’s Smart Stack widgets, except instead of forcing you to scroll through many widgets, iOS 16 will show them all at once.

Control Center widgets for managing iPhone flashlight and Apple TV remote are also shown in a screenshot of the large widget, which appears to be code-named “InfoShack”.

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Apple’s AR/VR headgear has been reported to be in the works for some time, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that iOS 16 could contain the first formal references to it.

It’s well-known that Apple is working on a VR/AR headset that could be released in 2022 or perhaps this year. (According to the most recent source, the project has been postponed until 2023.) A wearable mixed reality device called Apple Glasses is also rumoured to be in the works by Apple.

It’s unclear what features will be included, however. There are new Apple apps that he has hinted at, but he hasn’t revealed what they are.

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(Image credit: LeaksApplePro)

Third-party apps will be needed to make these gadgets worthwhile. ARKit, Apple’s set of tools for creating augmented reality apps, is expected to get an upgrade as a result of this. Apple could potentially show off its mixed reality gear at WWDC in order to encourage iPhone app developers to start adding AR into their products.

A look at Gurman’s iOS 16 report reveals “some very big enhancements across the board, including an update to notifications and new health-tracking tools,” according to the long-time Apple reporter. Apple hasn’t provided any other information on the potential changes, but we do have some suggestions for how the company might enhance notifications in iOS 16.

Apple gadgets such as the iPhone 14 could have crash-detection features, which would alert emergency services if the device detects you’ve been in an accident, according to Mac Rumors in late 2021. It would necessitate new iOS 16 capabilities, but Apple may wait until closer to the iPhone 14 launch to show off such a feature.

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An iOS 16 concept film by The Hacker 34 showcases a variety of hypothetical iOS 16 features, including multitasking functionality, which would allow two apps to run simultaneously on the iPhone’s display. In addition to the lock screen shortcuts, always-on display support, and customisable icons, the video hints at more features.

What we want to see in iOS 16

We’d love to see the multitasking feature in the iOS 16 concept video, as well as many of the reported widget improvements. Even so, we’re confident that iOS 16 will bring a slew of new features, and in the meantime, we’re pleased to offer our own ideas on how Apple may improve the operating system.

With iOS 16, we want to see even more cross-pollination between the best features of iOS and Android. A Clear All button on Android makes closing all of your open apps a cinch. The days of swiping up on a never-ending stream of apps on your iPhone are over with the addition of this feature to iOS.

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With each new iOS release, Apple works to make the built-in messaging app even more useful for its customers, including new search options. We’re hopeful that iOS 16 will include new features for browsing through recent talks. The search box in Messages might use some improvement, such as the addition of filters and the ability to fine-tune searches, to make it easier to locate relevant texts.

(Image credit: Hacker 34/YouTube)

Improved photo-editing tools: Photos already has some excellent photo-editing capabilities, and we greatly enjoyed iOS 15’s upgraded Memories feature. We’d like to see some new features for iOS 16 that are inspired by Android. As an example, the Magic Eraser feature of the Pixel 6 allows users to eliminate persons and objects from photos. We believe Apple could easily implement a comparable feature given its experience in artificial intelligence.

Every iOS version brings a major redesign to at least one of the built-in apps—take a look at the revamped Apple game Maps for iOS 15 as an example. It’s time for News to get a makeover. The app doesn’t appear very great on the iPhone’s screen, and we think Apple should come up with better ways to display material. When it comes to creating your own automations and shortcuts with Shortcuts, the interface isn’t exactly welcoming. People would be more likely to use this extremely useful programme if it had better-designed tools.

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