Apple has revealed the next generation of its iOS platform, iOS 12, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
In-line with earlier reports, Apple is focused on improving performance for older devices. The updated mobile OS will be available on all the same devices as iOS 11.
Apps will reportedly launch 40 percent faster, keyboard comes up 50 percent faster and sliding to open the camera app will be up to 70 percent faster on older devices. The focus is on optimizing the system when it’s under heavy load.
The older devices that will receive these performance updates include: iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPod Touch, iPod Touch (6th generation), iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad (2017), iPad (2018), iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro.
According to Apple, 81 percent of the billion iOS devices available in the wild are on the latest release. Apple also reported that customer satisfaction is 95 percent for iOS 11.
In terms of design, the iOS 12 home screen looks essentially unchanged from iOS 11.
In addition to its emphasis on performance improvements, Apple revealed ARKit 2 and a real-world measuring app that allows users to measure 3D objects in the real world.
Many of Apple’s core apps are getting important tweaks, including grouped notifications and a special Google Assistant-reminiscent ‘For You’ section in Apple’s Photos app.
Apple also revealed Shortcuts, an app that includes home screen shortcuts for Siri’s actions or suggestions based on your daily activities.
Further, the Stocks app is getting Apple News integration and the CarPlay app is getting support for Waze and Google Maps. Meanwhile, features like Do Not Disturb At Bedtime and Screentime play into a strong healthy lifestyle narrative for Apple this year.
If that’s not enough, there’s also Group FaceTime now.
But perhaps most importantly — Apple has announced Animoji that resemble you, called Memoji. Plus, you can now stick out your tongue with Animoji.
The developer preview of iOS 12 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, and a public beta program will be available to iOS users later this month.
iOS 12 will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad 6th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation.
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