iOS 9 Pre-release Briefing

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iOS 9Pre-release briefing

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A smarter, more intelligent experience with iOS 9.Proactive assistance


One of the key themes underpinning iOS 9 is intelligence - providing a smarter, more contextual and more intuitive experience on your iPhone and iPad.

To make iOS 9 intelligent, a key area of focus for Apple has been to strengthen and evolve the search capability on your device with important improvements to both Siri and Spotlight.

This makes it easier, and faster, for you to do the things that matter to you - providing ‘proactive assistance’ right when you need it.


At the core of iOS 9’s strategy is a smarter search powered by a smarter Siri.

Since the last major release, continuous updates mean Siri understands what you say more accurately and responds faster. In iOS 9, Siri also gets additional functionality. But in iOS 9, with a new, sleek look inspired by the Apple Watch, Siri’s capabilities have become much broader and much more contextual.

Spotlight, apparently now replaced by Search, is available as a single swipe to the left of your homescreen, has also had a Proactive boost. Search results now include video, and crucially, provide results from content inside apps. Spotlight will also highlight Siri Suggestions, bubbling up contextual information without you needing to ask - like contacts nearby based on your location, or apps based on the time of day.

Ultimately, this allows both services to provide much more contextual and predictive results, anticipating your next move based on your normal habits and serving up the content that’s most relevant to you at a given moment. This might include your next appointment, recommending a new app based on your routine, or providing upcoming traffic conditions prior to your journey.

The result is a more seamless, more personal, and ultimately more useful, experience. And if this all this sounds reminiscent of Google Now - well, you’re not wrong. But that’s an article for another day.

Proactive, smart search


A deep link is any link that can be used to open an app to a specific piece of content or action. Apple refers to these as Universal Links, and they provide a unique web address that takes you to a specific view inside an app, or on the web.

Deep links allow you to navigate across apps much more naturally. They will take you right to where you need to go, whether that’s a particular document on iCloud, an event in your Calendar or even an in-app page - like the steps screen of your Health app. In iOS 9, Universal Links provide more seamless transitions between apps and the web, and are a key part of creating the smarter, more streamlined search powered by Siri and Spotlight.

Not only will you be able to search for content in the apps you already have, though - you will also see contextual results from apps that aren’t installed on your device.

For mobile product teams, this is big news with an important impact on discoverability and downloads. To leverage this new capability, developers will need to specify content, associated keywords and deep links. iOS 9 will then index the content and make it ready for search. If a user doesn’t already own an app relevant to the search, they will then be prompted to download it through the App Store.

Deep linking


All this predictive data based on your personal habits and information raises important questions about privacy and data protection. In iOS 9, Apple is taking a pointedly different approach compared to some of its web-centric competitors - especially Google.

As Apple’s senior VP of software engineering, Craig Federighi, commented at WWDC this year, Apple ‘…honestly just don’t want to know’ your personal information.

Where data about you is stored in the cloud - like your emails, photos or contacts, for example - Apple won’t ‘mine’ this to learn things about you. Any other data will remain on your devices, and directly under your control.

If Apple do have to perform a search on your behalf (to identify current traffic conditions, say), it will be anonymous and not associated with an Apple ID. It will also not be linked to other Apple services and neither will it be shared with third parties.

Security


Finally - multitasking on the iPad arrives.Productivity


iOS 9 features a number of productivity improvements to the iPad. Most notably, users can finally take advantage of the iPad’s screen in powerful new ways with the introduction of multitasking capabilities available in three different modes.

The lack of multitasking functionality has traditionally been one of the main blockers to many users becoming diehard iPad evangelists - particularly in the workplace, for example. This update will address that, and see a much easier, broader use of iPads. With iOS 9, there is a real possibility iPads will begin to replace other classic devices.

Still in its infancy, multitasking will have some limitations - largely due to the fact that some apps don’t support adaptive screen sizes just yet.

Multitasking


Picture in Picture:

Picture in Picture recognises that for video consumption, neither Slide Over nor Split View are ideal. Instead, it lets the video float on top of whatever other apps you're using, and keeps on playing regardless of what else you're doing.

Slide Over:

Slide Over allows you to briefly access a second app without having to leave the one you're using, making it useful for quick interactions. When Slide Over is active, the first app your were using becomes inactive, so you can't use both apps at once. The exception is media: audio and video will keep playing.

Split View:

Split View is currently only available on the iPad Air 2. Unlike Slide Over, Split View doesn't freeze the first app you were using. It does, however, confine the new app you open to a sidebar. Once accessed, you can simply drag the divider to adjust the width of each side.


It’s not only the iPad’s screen real estate that will see improvements in iOS 9: the keyboard, too, gets a number of small but useful changes.

Shortcut bar and keyboard shortcuts: Building on iOS 8’s predictive suggestions, Apple has now added an easy access shortcut bar to the row above the iPad keyboard. On the left, you can find cut, copy, and paste, while on the right hand side, bold, italic, underline, and attach. Using additional keyboard shortcuts, you can also perform a range of other commands - like switching between apps or bringing up search. Apps can have their own customised shortcuts, too.

Trackpad: iOS 9 sees the addition of a trackpad mode to the iPad. This new feature allows you to use two fingers to move a cursor point anywhere around your iPad. The result is text selection that's much easier to use than the previous magnifier.

Shift View: A change that will also be available on the iPhone keyboard is the welcome ability to display either capital or lowercase letters depending on whether you have engaged the Shift key. It ends, once and for all, the pesky confusion as to what the shift-state is on the keyboard.

Keyboard updates


Improving performance in iOS 9.Under the hood


Under the hood, there are a number of changes in iOS 9 that will improve the overall performance of the platform.

These include measures to extend battery life, and provide a faster, more responsive experience. There is enhanced security to protect customer data, convenient upgrades that require less storage and app thinning - so apps will download, install and launch faster than before.


A highly welcome improvement to iOS, app thinning allows users to download apps that are specifically optimised for their device.

This means apps will download, install and launch faster overall - while taking up less storage space. We can only hope that this marks the end of that frantic culling of extraneous apps, music and photos in order to qualify for the much needed updates we’ve been putting off.

NEEDS A MORE RELEVANT IMAGE

App thinning


In iOS 9, Apple are set to resolve a frustrating wi-fi feature on the iPhone. Currently, your iPhone will cling to any wi-fi source within range, even if the signal is too poor to use. Whilst admirable in its determination, this effectively kills your internet access.

The upcoming iOS 9 release will see the employment of a Wi-Fi Assist feature. When enabled, Wi-Fi Assist will effectively utilise a drop-off point, automatically switching to mobile data when the signal is below a certain point.

One point of note, however: whilst providing uninterrupted connectivity, it also has the potential for racking up an unexpected bill at the end of the month. Watch out.

Wi-Fi Assist


Low Power mode

For those who have a daily struggle with low power warnings (and who doesn’t?), Low Power mode will be a lifesaver. This feature can be enabled at any time through Settings, though iOS will prompt you to turn it on when you receive a 20% or 10% battery alert.

Enabling Low Power mode will halt battery-draining functions such as mail fetch, background refresh and motion effects - amongst others. Whilst this isn’t the dream scenario of a new super battery with weeks worth of charge, Apple claims it will provide an additional three hours of battery life. So we see this as a solid step in the right direction.


With iOS 9, there have been a small slew of Kit improvements - here’s a quick rundown of the key ones that stood out to us.

HomeKit:

Updates to HomeKit will see your device become a central control-hub for your everyday objects. All HomeKit enabled accessories, for example thermostats, locks and lights, will be controllable via Siri and third-party apps. iOS 9 has expanded support for the types of accessories you can use, made set-up even easier, and provided more ways to interact with accessories - including remotely with iCloud.

HealthKit:

The health-conscious among you will be pleased to know that HealthKit will now allow apps providing health and fitness services to access shared health-related information in one place. New data points are now available to store reproductive health, UV exposure, water intake, and sedentary state.

MapKit:

MapKit now allows for more customisation of your maps and further options for displaying callouts and pins. iOS 9 will also give developers the option to add directions via public transport and to enable Flyover within the app.

Kit updates


Key app updates.All new and improved


In recognition of the expanded role and functionality it will have in iOS 9, Apple is renaming Passbook ‘Wallet’.

The introduction of reward/loyalty cards to the iOS 9 Wallet is one particularly eagerly anticipated feature. Retailers’ digitisation of reward cards into apps was a big step in the right direction, but Wallet will now allow all those cards to be housed under one roof. Furthermore, Apple Pay will automatically present the relevant card when you check out - payment and stamps, all in one go.

For extra convenience, users can now also double-click on the Home button from the lock screen for fast access to your Wallet and Apple Pay.

Retailers will be particularly pleased with the update. This way, Apple keeps transactions secure and retailers get opted-in loyalty data. A win-win for both sides, and a big step towards encouraging any remaining retail holdouts to support Apple Pay.

Wallet


In iOS 9, Notes has been given a serious makeover, taking what was previously a simple text pad and turning it into a (much needed) full-featured note-taking app.

Formatting options have been upgraded to include all the basics, as well as bullet/dash points, numbered lists and scalable headings.

A long-awaited feature in the form of checklists has also been added to the updated version, allowing for simple, tickable to-do lists. Be it merely a weekly shopping list or a reminder for things to pack on holiday, this feature will certainly come in handy for Notes lovers.

Perhaps the biggest improvement is the addition of new content types, which can now be added and embedded in a note. Users can now add photos, PDFs, videos, audio clips, map locations, Keynote presentations, website links - and even produce sketches. The sketches feature lets you draw quick illustrations which will be displayed inline in the note.

Could Notes rival Evernote? Let’s see

Notes


Maps now has transit directions so you can use it for public transportation. Your search will now show you routes and stations on the map for buses, trains, ferries and tubes/subways.

However, this update will go further than simply showing you available public transport routes. When you plan a trip, every part of your route will be laid out from end to end.

Apple states that they have been carefully surveying stations, so Maps should be able to provide precise directions from your location to your destination. This includes the exact entrances to stations and transfer times between platforms.

Another update is the ‘Nearby’ feature, which shows you what’s in your locale (places to shop, eat, drink etc.). Tap into a category and you’ll get a list of more granular filters and nearby results.

On the results cards, you’ll also get directions with helpful time estimates and an Apple Pay icon for merchants that support it.

Maps


Newsstand will be replaced in iOS 9 by ‘News’. It will provide curated lists of personalised - you guessed it - news, and take content from some of the most popular websites and newspapers.

Customisation options will include the ability to create crafted layouts with custom typography, photo galleries, videos, and animations. One authorisation will allow News to optimise your content for all iOS devices. The more you use the app, the more it learns from your tastes and will in turn create more personalised lists as a result.

One likely impact of News is that smaller outlets may find themselves able to compete with large, established organisations. Apple is essentially providing a free publishing platform that would traditionally only be available to large companies with big budgets. Content will now be more discoverable for new audiences, who may not be aware of niche and small-scale news providers.

News


Key dates for your diaries


Rumoured iPhone 6S launch: 08/09/2015* iOS 9 potential release: 16/09/2015*

* based on past patterns of iOS updates being released on the Wednesday the week after launches


Coming soon: Android 6.0 Marshmallow pre-release briefing


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Date post:	14-Apr-2017
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iOS 9 Pre-release Briefing

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