Smartphones have become such an essential part of our lives, that we’ve almost forgotten what life was like before we had them. You can’t walk down the street anymore without seeing almost every person who passes by, with their faces buried into their phones. They were supposed to help us stay even more connected, but one could easily argue, that they’ve probably had the opposite effect. Either way, they’re here to stay and as life goes on, so do the advancements of tech and updates that we all can look forward to on these devices we so affectionately covet.
In addition to announcing macOS Big Sur yesterday, Apple also introduced the all-new iOS 14 which overhauls the Home Screen and adds more customizable widgets in addition to upgraded Messages and Maps like its macOS counterpart.
The biggest update to the new iOS 14 is without a doubt the Home Screen redesign. New widgets allow you to customize and adjust the size and information you want displayed. You can also create a Smart Stack of widgets, your phone will use AI to make sure the right widget comes up based on your time, location and activity. Picture-in-Picture is finally offered so that you can continue to watch a video or make a FaceTime call even while using another app.
In addition to the Home Screen tools, App Clips is a new way for users to access the App Store. It is designed so that you can find products or businesses easily like renting a bicycle, finding a coffee shop or filling a parking meter.
Messages also receives the same upgrades that its macOS counterpart does. Users can now pin their favorite conversations to the top of their list and directly reply to someone in a group chat. Memoji is updated with more inclusive and diverse offerings as well.
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering had this to say about the new iOS 14:
"iOS 14 transforms the most iconic elements of the iPhone experience, starting with the biggest update we’ve ever made to the Home Screen. With beautifully redesigned widgets on the Home Screen, the App Library that automatically organizes all of your apps, and App Clips that are fast and easy to discover, iPhone becomes even more powerful and easier to use.”
So there you have it. We’ll continue to keep an eye on more news about iOS 14, and update this post should there be any additional details to come. Any opinions on this new update? Drop a line and let us know.
Chill.