What 's New? 10 Best iOS14 Features You Need to Know

 Overview

iOS 14, as the fourteenth iOS mobile system developed by Apple for iPhone and iPod, have been available since September 2020. iOS 14 is one of Apple's biggest iOS updates to date, introducing Home screen design changes, major new features, updates for existing apps, Siri improvements, and many other tweaks that streamline the iOS interface. 

 

Widgets

iOS 14 adds widgets to the home screen of the iPhone and iPad for the first time. Widgets are more data-rich than ever and come in a variety of sizes. Apps move out of the way automatically to make room for the widgets. You access these widgets through the “Widget Gallery,” with multiple different sizing options. 

 

App Library

App Library is a new screen that lives just to the right of your last home screen. It automatically arranges all the apps on your phone in folders based on app category. The purpose of this feature is to make it easy for you to find all the apps installed on your iPhone. It goes hand in hand with another new home screen feature that lets you hide pages of apps that you infrequently use.

 

Picture in Picture on iPhone

iOS 14 also provides support for picture in picture, works very similar to the iPad experience. But unfortunately, picture in picture only supports videos, which it can not resize other software like Android does, allowing you to reply messages while playing game.

 

App Clips

Apple added App Clips to iOS 14, letting users take advantage of some app features without needing to download the full app. App Clips can let you do things like rent a scooter, purchase a coffee, make a restaurant reservation, or fill a parking meter just by scanning a code, with no need to download a full app.

 

Translate App

A new translate app in iOS 14 is designed for conversations and works completely offline. All you have to do is tap on the microphone icon and the app will translate to your chosen language. There will be 11 languages supported at launch.

Search & Siri

Improvements to the Search feature on the home screen were made, including a refined UI, quick launcher for apps, more detailed web search, shortcuts to in-app search, and improved as-you-type search suggestions.

While made compact so that content below is visible, Siri's interface does not allow for simultaneous multitasking, as designers felt it unclear how the interface would then be dismissed. Siri can now answer a broader set of questions and translate more languages. Users can also share their ETA with contacts and ask for cycling directions.

 

Privacy Enhancement

Privacy information can now be seen on the App Store so users can understand what permissions an app requires before they download it. Users may change location permissions to inform the app of an approximate location, preserving privacy when exact location is unnecessary.

A recording indicator appears at the top of the screen whenever an app uses the microphone or camera. Likewise, a notification appears when the clipboard is accessed by an app.

 

 

AirPods Pro Spatial Audio and Motion API

One of the neatest new features Apple added to iOS 14 is a spatial audio feature for the AirPods Pro, which brings movie theater-like surround sound to your earbuds.

Spatial audio, which uses dynamic head tracking, can create immersive sound anywhere in space by applying directional audio filters and subtle frequency adjustments. Spatial audio uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in the AirPods Pro and iPhone to track the motion of your head and your iPhone's position, comparing the motion data, and then remapping the sound field so that it stays anchored to your device even as your head moves.

 

MagSafe

iOS 14 adds MagSafe accessory support for the iPhone 12 lineup, with a new animation for each accessory.

 

CarPlay & Car Key 

CarPlay was updated to allow users to set a built-in wallpaper. Route management in Apple Maps was extended with features alerting the user to available stops, such as parking and food ordering. Additionally, route planning for electric vehicles now considers the location of charging stations.

Car keys allow an iPhone to act as a virtual car key using NFC technology with compatible cars. The first compatible car showcased by Apple at the WWDC 2020 was the 2021 BMW 5 Series. Keys are accessible from the Wallet app. Keys may be shared; sharing may be temporary or given restrictions. In the event the iPhone is out of battery, car keys can still be accessed via the power reserve of the iPhone for about five hours. Car keys require an iPhone released in 2018 or later.

 

iOS 14 compatible Devices

•     iPhone 6S
•     iPhone 6S Plus
•     iPhone SE (1st generation)
•     iPhone 7
•     iPhone 7 Plus
•     iPhone 8
•     iPhone 8 Plus
•     iPhone X
•     iPhone XS
•     iPhone XS Max
•     iPhone XR
•     iPhone 11
•     iPhone 11 Pro
•     iPhone 11 Pro Max
•     iPhone SE (2nd generation)
•     iPhone 12 Mini
•     iPhone 12
•     iPhone 12 Pro
•     iPhone 12 Pro Max
•     iPod touch 7

 

Reviews

On iOS 14, Apple finally has changed the long-stagnant, row-and-column of icons design of the interface to achieve a refreshing and appealing effect. Apple manages to do this without jarring your sense of familiarity—you won't notice the differences at first, but as you dig in, you'll see big and welcome new interface options. Real widgets like those long available in Android finally make their way onto iOS. The update also makes Siri and calls less obtrusive, improves messaging, and gives you new ways to multitask—such as with the picture-in-picture mode. Safari, Home control, Maps see improvements and a Translate app debuts.

 

How to Upgrade to iOS 14?

Step 1: Create a backup.

Step 2: Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and select Download and Install. Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the Internet with Wi-Fi.

Step 3: To update now, tap Install. Or you can tap Later and choose Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. If you tap Install Tonight, just plug your device into power before you go to sleep. Your device will update automatically overnight.