iOS 12, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system is available today as a free software update. The iOS 12 introduces new AR experiences, fun new features like Memoji, Siri Shortcuts that open up a world of apps to work with Siri and new tools to help people reduce interruptions and manage screen time for themselves and their families.
According to Apple, iOS 12 launches camera up to 70 per cent faster, the keyboard appears up to 50 per cent faster and typing is more responsive as compared to previous version.
AR in iOS 12 give you a more realistic mix of the virtual and real world with support for image detection and tracking, making it possible to detect 3D objects and automatically apply reflections. AR files can now be viewed nearly anywhere in iOS, including apps like Messages, Safari, Mail, Files and News.
Apple has also introduced Memoji right within Messages and you can choose from a set of inclusive and diverse characteristics. The existing set of Animoji also expands with ghost, koala, tiger and T. rex. Animoji and Memoji now feature winks and tongue detection to capture more expressions.
Further, there are camera effects that bring Animoji, Filters, Text and Stickers to Messages and FaceTime. An all-new For You tab surfaces favourite moments in one place, combining Memories and iCloud Shared Albums, and introduces sharing suggestions to makes it easier to share photos with friends.
Apple has added new tools into iOS 12 that will help customers understand and take control of the time they spend interacting with their iOS devices. Screen Time provides users with detailed information and tools to help them manage the time they spend with apps and websites, and better understand and control where their child spends time.
Daily and weekly Activity Reports 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. App Limits allow people to set a specific amount of time to be in an app, and a notification will display when a time limit is about to expire. Screen Time also gives parents access to their child’s Activity Report right from their own iOS devices using Family Sharing in iCloud, and allows them to schedule times to limit when a child’s iOS device can be used, such as during bedtime.
Reports show time spent in apps, usage across categories of apps, how often a person picks up their iOS device and more tools to help manage screen time.
New modes in Do Not Disturb automatically end based on a specified time, location or action, and activating Do Not Disturb in night dims the display and hiding all notifications on the lock screen until prompted in the morning.
Siri has been updated with the introduction of Siri Shortcuts, allowing any app to now work with Siri. With powerful on-device intelligence, Siri learns user routines and provides suggestions at just the right time. Users can also use their voice to run any Shortcut. The new Shortcuts app goes even further, allowing users to create custom Shortcuts to streamline frequent tasks.
iOS 12 is available starting today 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.
