Apple iOS 12 update will arrive later this month (Image: APPLE)
All eyes will be on Cupertino next week with Apple holding a major launch event on Wednesday, September 12.
This major keynote is expected to reveal plenty of upgraded devices including updated iPhones, new Apple Watch and a refresh to the popular iPad Pro.
However, although this major unveiling will mainly be about new hardware there could also be some big news about software.
Apple announced its new iOS 12 upgrade back in June at its WWDC developers conference and it’s almost certain to get an official release date this month.
The US technology firm usually reveals when its iOS update is being pushed out to the world during its September iPhone event and this year should be no different.
Expect to hear more news on Wednesday but here’s a quick refresh about what’s included in this blockbuster software upgrade.
OLD iPHONES GET FASTER
Those with older iPhones have often dreaded hitting the update button when a new iOS is released but this year will be different.
Even devices as old as the 2013 iPhone 5s get a speed boost with iOS 12 installed.
According to the US technology firm, the new update will make tasks such as launching apps a lot quicker.
New Memojis are coming to the iPhone with iOS 12 (Image: APPLE)
SCREEN TIME ALERTS
Apple is clearly aware that we all spend way too long on our phones and so they are launching to something called Screen Time.
Screen Time will now send daily or weekly Activity Reports which will show the total time spent in individual apps, usage across categories of apps, how many notifications are received and how often iPhone or iPad are picked up.
Limits can then be set which show users when they have been on their devices for too long.
There’s also a nice feature for parents which will help them control the length of time children spend on digital devices.
Apple is clear that they don’t want to control usage but they are giving users the tools to better manage their time on screen.
Apple is likely to announce its iOS 12 update release later this month (Image: APPLE)
MESSAGES AND SOMETHING CALLED MEMOJIS
Apple launched its fun Animojis last year when it revealed the iPhone X but now there’s another animated emoji joining the party.
Memojis are interactive characters that can be created to look like anyone you want.
These animations can then be sent to friends using the Messages app.
Along with Memojis iOS 12 includes four new Animoji: ghost, koala, tiger, and T. rex which also now feature winks and tongue detection to capture even more expressions.
The camera in Messages can also now quickly create a memorable video or photo – with artistic filters, animated text, music, emoji or fun stickers that you can send to your friends and family.
The Apple iOS 12 update will alert you to your screen time (Image: APPLE)
GROUP FACETIME
Group FaceTime allows up to 32 people to join a video call at the same time.
What’s clever is that as a contact begins to speak their image gets bigger on your display.
Participants can be added at any time, join later if the conversation is still active and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac — or even participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch.
Group FaceTime calls are being introduced (Image: APPLE)
BETTER PHOTOS
To help find your photos, iOS 12 includes improved search suggestions which surface the most relevant Events, People, Places, Groups, Categories and recent searches.
There’s also a new functionality which lets users combine multiple search terms to find the right photos.
Along with improved search, Apple wants to make it easier to send photos to people with a new sharing suggestions feature.
This instantly shows contacts who might be in the photos and friends who receive images are prompted to share back any photos and videos they have from the same trip or event.
Apple also wants to help all of our images look a little better with something called effect suggestions.
This intelligently suggests Live Photos that look great with a loop or long exposure effect and it even works with Apple’s Portrait Lighting mode.
(Image: APPLE)
DO NOT DISTURB WILL STOP YOU BE BOTHERED BY NOTIFICATIONS
If you’re fed up with your phone going off all night there’s a simple way to stop it.
Apple’s new iOS 12 includes better Do Not Disturb settings which will stop any messages appearing on the display during certain times.
The setting can be used to block all notifications at night or for a set time during the day.
GROUP NOTIFICATIONS
Notifications from the same app are now grouped together in the same banner, so you can quickly glance at more notifications on your Lock screen to determine what you want to view first.
iOS 12 is smart too. It creates separate banners for different message threads or notification topics. Swipe left to act on all of them at once, such as clear all notifications.