Apple's iOS 16 system officially released

Early this morning, Apple held the WWDC22 Global Developers Conference and officially released the new iOS 16 system .

Apple says that iOS 16 has redesigned the lock screen with the biggest changes to the lock screen ever . The new system features new fonts, backgrounds, clock and date colors, widgets, and direct control of some apps, including widgets that look a lot like the Apple Watch.

In iOS 16, users can personalize , choose colors, backgrounds and fonts in different styles, and when editing, users can click on relevant elements and change fonts and colors. The weather lock screen shows the current weather.

In iOS 16, when a notification is received, the notification will scroll in from the bottom of the lock screen . New real-time event notifications also allow the home screen to automatically update notifications for live events such as sporting events, Uber, and more.

Apple's Focus feature also extends to the lock screen, with support for binding photos and widgets to match the lock screen with relevant settings. Focus can filter groups of tabs in Safari, conversations in Messages, and events in Calendar, as well as new APIs for developers.

In terms of information, users can edit sent messages, undo sending , and mark any message as unread in iOS 16.

iOS 16 Text Extraction now also supports extracting content from videos. When the video is paused, the user can extract the text content in the screen .

SharePlay can be used to remotely watch TV shows, listen to music and use Fitness+ with friends. Meanwhile, SharePlay is coming to Messages soon.

Also, the wallet app will be updated soon. Maryland and Arizona will support the use of electronic driver's licenses. Users can also share digital hotel keys with others, including future industry-standard shared keys for Android users.

The new, redesigned Apple Maps will be available in 11 other countries , including France, Switzerland and New Zealand.

iCloud Shared Library offers family users a new way to share photos, with a single iCloud library set up for up to 6 users to collaborate, store and view together. Users can choose to share photos already in their personal library, or set a specific start date or people in the photo to share.

In addition, the new generation of CarPlay in-vehicle functions has been further expanded. CarPlay will send content to multiple displays in the vehicle for a complete and unified experience. It will allow users to directly control the radio and adjust the in-car environment through CarPlay. At the same time, support for widgets will be added, and users will be able to view the quick information of the weather app and music app directly on the vehicle's dashboard.

The following is Apple's official interpretation:

Apple today released a preview of iOS 16, bringing the biggest update to the lock screen to date, as well as new sharing, communication and a variety of smart features that will collectively change the way users experience the iPhone. iOS 16 offers iCloud Shared Gallery to seamlessly share memories with family members, the latest updates to the Messaging and Mail apps to help users easily stay connected, and more powerful Live Text features.

"iOS 16 is a major release for us, bringing updates that will change the way people experience iPhone," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering. Exciting new features that make it more personal and more useful. We've also introduced iCloud Shared Gallery for home users, simplified communication with new features in Messages and Mail, and smart technology enhancements Brings an update of the live text."

Personalized lock screen experience

The lock screen in iOS 16 has become more personal, more beautiful, and more functional. The new multi-layered effect brings the subject of the photo beautifully in front of time on the lock screen, creating a depth-of-field effect. Users can also change the way the date and time are displayed using bolder fonts and colors.

Inspired by Apple Watch complications, widgets on the lock screen allow users to easily glance at the information they need, such as upcoming calendar events, weather, battery level, alarms, time zone, progress in the activity circle, and more.

In iOS 16, users can change the appearance of the lock screen time and date with more expressive fonts and colors, and quickly understand useful information through widgets.

The reimagined lock screen adds a new multi-layered effect that puts the subject of the photo ahead of time in an artistic way.

Now, users can add widgets to the lock screen to quickly and easily understand useful information such as activity circle progress, weather and calendar events.

The new lock screen gallery feature offers a variety of theme options to help users find inspiration, such as Apple's series of themes, including rainbow and unity themes to commemorate special moments in cultural progress, weather wallpapers that show the weather in real time throughout the day, and the earth, the moon and astronomical wallpapers for the entire solar system landscape. Users can also create their own lock screen with their favorite emoji and color schemes. After creating multiple lock screens, users can easily switch by swiping left or right.

Live Activity is a new feature that allows users to get real-time information and information, such as sports events, workout data, carpools, takeout orders, and more, directly on the lock screen.

Real-time activities allow users to obtain various real-time information and information directly on the lock screen, such as sports events, exercise, carpooling, takeaway orders, etc.

Real-time activities allow users to obtain various real-time information and information directly on the lock screen, such as sports events, exercise, carpooling, takeaway orders, etc.

Real-time activities allow users to obtain various real-time information and information directly on the lock screen, such as sports events, exercise, carpooling, takeaway orders, etc.

Notifications have been redesigned to slide up from the bottom of the screen, ensuring users have a clear view of their personalized lock screen.

The redesigned notifications now slide up from the bottom of the lock screen.

Use focus mode to achieve work-rest balance

The new Focus Mode is more powerful, easier to set up, and can be linked to the lock screen, allowing users to bind a different lock screen wallpaper and widget to each Focus Mode. Users can activate specific focus modes simply by swiping to the corresponding lock screen. With the help of the filter condition function of Focus Mode, apps such as Calendar, Mail, Messages, and Safari can only display content related to the Focus Mode set by the user, helping users to better balance their work and rest.

Users can now associate the focus mode to the lock screen, and bind the lock screen wallpaper and widgets to a specific focus mode.

Users can now associate the focus mode to the lock screen, and bind the lock screen wallpaper and widgets to a specific focus mode.

Users can now associate the focus mode to the lock screen, and bind the lock screen wallpaper and widgets to a specific focus mode.

With focus mode filters, apps such as Calendar, Mail, Messages, and Safari can only display content relevant to the user's focus mode.

With focus mode filters, apps such as Calendar, Mail, Messages, and Safari can only display content relevant to the user's focus mode.

iCloud shared library for unified storage of family photos

iCloud Shared Library offers family users a new way to seamlessly share photos, with a single iCloud Library set up for up to 6 users to collaborate, store and view together. Users can choose to share photos already in their personal library, or set a specific start date or people in the photo to share. Users can also choose to automatically send their captured photos to the shared library using a new toggle button in the Camera app. Not only that, but users will also receive smart suggestions to share photos with shared users in the shared gallery to the shared gallery. All shared users have permission to add, delete, edit and favorite photos and videos shared in the shared gallery, which will appear in each shared user's Memories and Featured photos, allowing them to more fully review Precious moments of Wen family members.

iCloud Shared Library provides family users with a new way to seamlessly share photos, a separate iCloud library can be set up to support up to 6 users to collaborate, store and view together.

iCloud Shared Library provides family users with a new way to seamlessly share photos, a separate iCloud library can be set up to support up to 6 users to collaborate, store and view together.

A new toggle button has been added to the Camera App, and users can choose to automatically send the captured photos to the shared gallery.

Information app major update. 

Users can edit or recall messages just sent, restore recently deleted messages, and mark conversations as unread for later. The messaging app has added support for simulcast sharing, allowing users to chat in the messaging app while sharing and controlling synchronized movies, songs, and other content.

In the Messages app, users can now edit or recall recently sent messages.

New Tools for Mail App Users can now schedule emails to send in advance, and can also cancel emails shortly after they are sent, so they don't reach recipients' inboxes. The Mail app also detects if the user has left out some important content such as attachments in the email. Users can also choose to redisplay an email at any specific date and time with the reminder later feature, and follow up suggestions automatically remind users to follow up on emails that have not yet received a response. In addition, the Mail app has received the biggest update to its search function, using advanced technology to provide more relevant, accurate and comprehensive search results. The moment users start searching for emails, they can instantly see recent emails, contacts, documents and links.

The search function of the Mail app ushered in the biggest update to date, presenting more relevant, accurate and comprehensive search results.

Live text enhancements

Live Text uses device-side intelligence technology to recognize text in various images on iOS devices. Now it has gone a step further and added support for text recognition in videos. Users can pause the video on any frame to interact with the text in it. Live Text also adds new features for users to quickly convert exchange rates, translate text, and more.

Live text helps users to quickly convert exchange rates, translate text and other operations.

Live text helps users to quickly convert exchange rates, translate text and other operations.

Wallet App adds more functions

The functions supported by the keys in the wallet app are further expanded. In order to ensure the privacy and security of the user experience, the wallet app will only provide the necessary information required for the transaction to the app, and users can also set up face ID or touch ID verification to view and agree to share the provided information. In addition, users can securely share residence, hotel, office access cards and car keys in wallet apps using various communication apps such as messaging and email.

Users can securely share hotel, home, office and vehicle keys in the wallet app through information apps.

Users can securely share hotel, home, office and vehicle keys in the wallet app through information apps.

The new generation of CarPlay

CarPlay has fundamentally overturned the way people interact with their vehicles on a daily basis. Today, the new generation of CarPlay features further expansion and deep integration with car hardware. CarPlay will send content to multiple displays in the vehicle for a complete and unified experience. Deeper integration with the vehicle will allow users to directly control the radio and adjust the in-car environment through CarPlay; CarPlay can also obtain vehicle data, seamlessly displaying driving speed, fuel level, in-car temperature and more instrument information. Users will be able to personalize their driving experience and choose different dashboard display interfaces; in addition, support for widgets has been added, and users will be able to view the quick-view information of the weather app and music app directly on the vehicle's dashboard. In the future, more information on the new generation of CarPlay will be shared, and the corresponding supported car information will be released later next year.

The new generation of CarPlay goes a step further and is deeply integrated with the vehicle’s hardware to provide content for multiple displays in the car.

Other functions

Safari has added shared tab groups, which can be used to share multiple websites with friends and family at the same time, allowing users to create new tabs and view other people's current browsing content smoothly and freely. The pass key further enhances the security of the Safari browser browsing experience. It is a set of unique digital keys, which are easy to use and have high security. Don't worry about being hacked due to data breaches or user deception. Passkeys will be used in place of passcodes, biometric authentication using Touch ID or Face ID, and syncing to iPhone, iPad and Mac with end-to-end encryption via iCloud Keychain. The pass key is also applicable to various apps and networks, and users only need to use their iPhone to log in to the corresponding websites or apps on non-Apple devices.

The Apple Maps app adds multi-point route planning, allowing users to pre-enter up to 15 stops, and automatically sync the planned route from the Mac to the iPhone when the user is ready to go. The transportation card function of the map app has also been updated, which is convenient for passengers to check the travel expenses required for the whole journey, add the transportation card to the wallet app, receive a low balance reminder, and recharge the transportation card. All operations can be completed in one stop in the map app.

Family Sharing simplifies the process of setting up a child's account by adding the correct parental controls directly. This includes age-restriction recommendations for all apps, movies, books, music, and more, and an easier setup process for new devices, with the ability to automatically apply existing parental controls. Parents can also grant or deny requests for extended screen time from their children in the Messages app.

Dictation brings a new on-device experience, allowing users to freely switch between voice and touch input. Users can type with the keyboard as usual, tap the text field, move the cursor, and insert quick input suggestions without having to stop dictation at all. Additionally, Dictation automatically adds punctuation and emojis.

Siri's new function can directly run the corresponding shortcut command when the app is downloaded, without setting. Users can add emojis when sending messages, choose to automatically send messages without the user having to confirm first, and simply use a simple voice command like "Hey Siri, hang up" to hang up the phone and FaceTime without having to do it.

Home App allows users to control, organize and view accessories more conveniently, and the enhancement of the underlying architecture also allows users to control smart home devices at home more efficiently and securely. iOS 16 will launch a software update this fall that will add support for Matter, the smart home connectivity standard, allowing various accessories to work seamlessly across platforms to facilitate the realization of a true smart home.

Fitness apps will come to the iPhone, allowing users without an Apple Watch to track and achieve fitness goals. iPhone users can set a daily activity goal in the fitness app, and then use the dynamic calories burned to help them gradually close the activity circle. The iPhone's motion sensor tracks steps, distances, stairs climbed, and exercise data recorded by third-party apps, converts them into approximate dynamic calorie numbers, and updates the user's progress toward daily activity goals. Users can also share their activity progress rings with friends to increase their motivation to exercise.

The new "Medications" column in the Health App allows users to easily create and manage medication lists, create medication schedules and medication reminders, and track the use of medications, vitamins and other nutrients. In addition, users can directly share their health data with relatives and friends through the health app, and can easily import their available data in partner medical institutions to generate health records in PDF format.

Game Center's Dashboard has been redesigned to display the games and achievements of friends directly in the game bar of Game Center, allowing players to directly enter the same game to join or compete with friends.

Personalized spatial audio provides a more precise and immersive listening experience. Users can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create personalized spatial audio profiles for a listening experience tailored to their situation.

Added Privacy Tools Security Checkup feature to help users whose personal safety may be at risk of violence from family members or partners, allowing them to quickly revoke all permissions that are open to others. These include emergency resets, which allow users to simply log out of their iCloud accounts on all other devices, reset privacy permissions, and restrict others from sending messages to the devices they use. This feature also helps users understand and manage which people and apps they have opened permissions to.

Accessibility updates include door detection to help visually impaired and low-vision users navigate the last short distance to their destination using their iPhone, and Apple Watch Mirroring for users with disabilities or limited mobility so they can rely on their voice Accessibility features such as controls, toggle controls, etc., complete all control of the Apple Watch on the iPhone. In addition, Live Captioning makes it easy for the hearing-impaired to watch subtitles directly when they are making phone or FaceTime calls, using video conferencing or social media apps, watching streaming content, and talking to people around them.

Users can share multiple sites with friends and family through shared tab groups.

Using the multi-point route planning function of the Apple Maps App, users can pre-plan up to 15 stops.

Family Sharing simplifies the setup process of children's accounts and directly adds the correct parental control settings.

An on-device experience added to the dictation function allows users to freely switch between voice and touch input.

The Home App makes it easier for users to operate, organize and view accessories.

All iPhone users can now use the fitness app, whether they are wearing an Apple Watch or not. Users can set a daily activity goal, and then help themselves gradually close the activity progress circle through the dynamic calories burned.

The "Medications" column in the Health App allows users to build and manage medication lists, create medication schedules and medication reminders, and track the use of medications, vitamins, and other nutrients.

Security Check helps users whose personal safety may be at risk of violence from family members or partners, allowing them to quickly revoke all permissions that are open to others.

Door detection allows visually impaired and low-vision users to use the iPhone to navigate the last short distance before reaching their destination.

Launch time. 

The developer preview of iOS 16 will be available to Apple Developer Program members starting today at developer.Apple.com, and the Public Beta will be available to iOS users at beta.Apple.com next month. The new software features will roll out this fall as a free software update to iPhone 8 and later models. For more information, visit Apple.com/cn/ios/ios-16-preview. Features are subject to change. Some features are only available in certain regions or languages.