Apple claims iOS 10 is its biggest iOS release ever, and there’s certainly plenty to get into your teeth into – but how does it differ from the software currently running on your iPhone or iPad?
We’ve pitted the two iOS revisions head to head to show just what you can expect from the new iOS 10 update.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: Siri
One of the biggest updates on iOS 10 is Siri, which has been made even smarter and it’s now open to developers. That means you’ll start seeing the personal assistant pop up in third party apps too.
On iOS 9, Apple introduced Siri Suggestions which displayed contacts and apps it predicted would be most useful to you at a particular time and location. It also offered up smarter answers to requests – but not on the same scale as the iOS 10 update.
Because Siri is now open to third party apps, you’ll be able to say things like “Send a WeChat to Nancy saying I’ll be 5 minutes late”, and it’ll do just that. Siri is also now smart enough to understand that command in a variety of ways, which means you don’t have to say phrases in a set order for it to work.
That’s what Apple claims anyway – we’ll remain on the fence until we actually get a hold of it.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: Maps
With iOS 9 very little changed with Apple Maps, which in itself is an offering which has played second fiddle to the impressive Google Maps. That changes with iOS 10.
The new Maps app not only sports a new design, but Apple’s also made it proactive. That means depending where you are, and what time it is, it can suggest routes, restaurants and places of interests it thinks you’ll want to know about.
Navigation has also been improved with live traffic, a zoomed-in view when you approach junctions and easier to follow directions. It plays even better with Apple CarPlay too, and can display directions in the instrument cluster if your vehicle has that support.
The big thing with iOS 10 is Apple opening up its core apps to third party developers, something which is still very much closed off in iOS 9.
That means in the new Maps you’ll be able to book a table at a restaurant and order, track and pay for your Uber without having to leave the app.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: Phone and Messages
Apple continues its all-apps-are-open matra with the Phone app, allowing developers access to the core calling API which means whatever call you receive, from any application, it’ll display and act like a standard telephone call.
On iOS 9 calls from third party apps appear as rather basic notifications, giving a disjointed user experience. With iOS 10, everything is far more fluid.
Another smart feature in iOS 10 is Voicemail transcription – giving you a text overview of the message someone has left, allowing you to ignore spam without wasting time listening to it. The same goes for Apple’s new spam detection service, which can flag potentially troublesome calls before you answer them.
Messages has been given a major overhaul with bigger emoji, smarter emoji prediction, an easier to access camera without moving away from the stream, handwriting and a range of digital touches and effects.
All in all, it gives users far more options over the rather bland bubble chat we currently have on iOS 9, but many of the features look suspiciously similar to Google’s Allo app which it announced at IO 2016 last month.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: News, Music and Photos
Apples’ News, Music and Photos apps have all been given a clean lick of paint over their iOS 9 variants.
The iOS 10 apps have a fresher, cleaner, brighter look which Apple claims make them easier to navigate, while surfacing the best content for you at any given time.
News now also includes subscriptions, giving the Cupertino firm another revenue stream, but other than that it’s just the looks which have changed – and the same goes for Music.
Apple’s spent more time improving Photos, from the still relatively tame picture viewer on iOS 9, to a far more feature filled offering on iOS 10.
A lot of comparisons can be drawn between it and Google Photos, with artificial intelligence able to identify different people, scenes, objects and animals in images and then group them together under various categories.
It’s also added a Memories tab, where it automatically pulls together photos and videos into sections it thinks will be most relevant to you. In a play which is almost identical to HTC’s Zoe, the iOS 10 Photos app can also put these memories into a nice little video, with text and music for adding viewing pleasure. How lovely.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: compatibility
The iOS 9 update came to all iPhones from the iPhone 4S and up, iPads from the iPad 2 and above, all the iPad Minis and the 5th generation iPod Touch. In short, its support is impressive.
It was also the operating system which launched with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Why is that important? Because iOS 10 is more than likely going to arrive with the iPhone 7 (and 7 Plus) later this year.
With iOS 10, there’s bad news for iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPod 5th gen users – as none of those devices are supported. Those rocking the iPhone 5 and above, iPad 4 and up and the iPod 6th gen though are all in luck. Huzzah!
You can see the full list of supported iOS 10 devices below.
iOS 9 vs iOS 10: release date
Pretty much everyone has iOS 9 on their iPhones and iPads already, if they’re supported that is – but if you’re missing it head over to the Software Updates section in your settings menu and get downloading!
If you’re looking forward to iOS 10, you’ll have to wait until the Fall for the update to hit your device. While that’s still a few months away, the good news is the update will be free, and unlike Android it’ll hit all your devices on the same day – no waiting around for months.
For those of you who simply cannot wait until then, Apple will launch an iOS 10 Public Beta in July, allowing you to get a taste on what’s on offer – but there’s also likely to be a fair few bugs too. Developers can get involved right now, with a developer preview already live for those who have access.
Source: techradar.com
