iOS is the mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. The previous version, iOS 11, was released on September 19, 2017. The next version is being rolled out now (beginning on September 17, 2018). What can users expect from iOS 12?
Faster performance
The first feature to call out is speed. Devices are set to run faster since, unlike some other versions of the operating system, iOS 12 will be available for devices going all the way back to the iPhone 5s and the iPad Mini 2.
Multi-Person Video Chat
Tired of just chatting with one person over video messaging? IGN reports that iOS 12 will brings multi-person calling to FaceTime, allowing you to chat with up to 32 people at once.
Short cuts and suggestions
A step forward with artificial intelligence. A new feature called Siri Suggestions will provide recommended actions based on a person’s regular activity on an iPhone lock screen, in the search area, and on an Apple Watch face. According to Venture Beat, a user will be able to utter the words: “Hey Siri, start my day”, in order to hear about your first appointment, start a specific playlist, and order coffee. All this from a single instruction.
Emojis with a twist
As with other updates, iOS 12 brings with it some new Animojis and more detailed face mapping. However, as Gizmodo highlights, a new feature is the provsion of animated cartoon avatars termed Memoji, which is your face, emoji-ized.
Data privacy
Data privacy is a further important feature. This takes the form of what Apple describe as ‘enhanced intelligent tracking’. This relates to the activities of social media companies who track an individual’s activities not only on the social media site but when they visit other sites as well. This enables the social media company to direct targeted adverts back when the individual returns to the social media site. Facebook is a prime example of this.
By using Safari, Apple users (or other who elect to install Safari) will be able to stop this from happening, except when using certain social media sites directly like Facebook. Digital Journal has explained how this will work in detail – see “New tools seek to prevent Facebook tracking.”
A further security feature is a process for managing passwords. iOS 12 can suggest a strong password for the user and help the user to understand passwords the have reused too often.
