David Bowie once sang “Turn and face the strange, Ch-ch-changes.” He could have sung about iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, both Apple is discussing almost on June 7 during its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC 2021). According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on software changes that improve how users handle messages and more.
Changes coming to iOS 15 and iPad 15 notifications
Referring to people familiar with the matter, Gurman mentions that Apple will redesign the iPad home screen, update the lock screen and add more privacy to its flagship smartphone and tablet models. The sources would remain anonymous as they discussed information not yet officially released by the technology giant. Additionally, there is still time for Apple to dump some of the changes it has tested, by about six and a half weeks to WWDC.
Widgets such as those seen here on the iPhone will be available for all parts of the iPad home screen in iPadOS 15
In iOS 14, Apple added Android widgets to the iPhone home screen. These widgets will be allowed anywhere on the iPad screen in iPadOS 15. And following up on the new privacy features that Apple has already introduced, or is about to do, a new feature will show users which apps are quietly collecting data on them.
Late last year, Apple began sharing confidentiality tags provided by app developers on App Store lists. As Apple puts it, “Our privacy labels are designed to help you understand how apps handle your data, including apps we develop at Apple.” And with the next update to iOS 14.5, the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature launches.
With ATT, iOS users who want to continue being tracked by apps so they can continue to receive online ads are free to do so. The remaining users automatically opt out and are not tracked by third-party apps.
One of the most exciting possible changes deals with messaging, as this has been a sore spot for iPhone users. It starts with a new status menu found on a device’s lock screen and in the Control Center and allows users to choose whether to drive, work or sleep. A custom category can also be selected.
Depending on the status of the user, he or she may make certain changes to the messaging system on his / her device. For example, the user will be able to set iPhone to make noise or to be silent when a message appears. Automatic replies to messages can be sent depending on the status of the user instead of only when he / she is running, which is how the system works now.
Apple also plans to make changes to its popular iMessage app with the goal of making it more of a social network similar to Facebook’s WhatsApp. In the report, Gurman said that this change is still early in development and may be released after the release of iOS 15. This launch should take place in September around the same time as Apple introduces the 2021 iPhone 13 series.
