Like every year, Apple took advantage of the WWDC 2019 held in June to officially present the new version of its operating system, iOS 13. The native dark mode, a sliding keyboard and new functions in messages or in the photographic edition are some features that were shown then, along with the corresponding improvements in privacy and performance.
In addition, Apple announced the devices with which it would be compatible (from iPhone 6S onwards) and confirmed that, following the usual calendar of the brand, the final version would arrive in autumn. Today, taking advantage of the presentation of the iPhone 11, the new 7th Generation iPad and the Apple Watch Series 5, the specific date on which the update will be available has been revealed.
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Better performance and lighter apps
Apple says it has optimized its iPhone software to make facial unlocking 30% faster compared to iOS 12. Also, from Cupertino they promise that iOS 13 is twice as fast as iOS 12 . There are also improvements in the size of downloads, so in iOS 13, updates are 60% lighter and applications downloaded from the App Store occupy 50% less. This ensures that applications open twice as fast.
Native dark mode
In recent months, many applications have joined the dark mode, designed to use the phone when the ambient lighting is dimmer avoiding the flashes of white colors and saving battery. With iOS 13, this mode reaches the system natively, as well as Apple’s own application ecosystem.
Once activated from the iPhone settings panel, the dark mode is applied both to the system interface, dimming the brightness and blackening the widgets, as well as to the Messages, Reminders or Notes applications, to name a few examples, which are dyed black. This mode is also available for developers to program in their apps that it is automatically activated or deactivated with the operating system.
QuickPath: The sliding keyboard
It is a feature that was already available on Android for a long time and now Apple has incorporated it into its default keyboard. In the same way, as in GBoard, iOS 13 users can slide their fingers on the keyboard to type words, simplifying and speeding up the writing of phrases and short words.
“Sign in with Apple” and other privacy improvements
In terms of privacy, Apple has developed its own web login system (login), so that it protects us from tracking and allows us to hide our true email when registering on a website or application.
With ‘Sign in with Apple‘, the user can choose between showing the email to the service they are registering or “Hide my email”. In doing so, a random email will be created that will redirect all emails received in that email to the original account keeping it hidden.
On the other hand, HomeKit has received Secure Video, a function that encrypts videos recorded by connected security cameras so that neither the Internet provider nor Apple nor anyone can access them, only you. In addition, with the new “Homekit to Routers” function, when a device is compromised, access to the rest of the network will be blocked.
More functions in Messages and new Memojis
We now go to the Messages application, where you can now share your name and your photo (or an Animoji) to appear with that name and photo in the message list of the contacts you decide. The new Memoji Stickers also arrive, which are basically static Memojis based on your face that is exported as stickers to the iOS keyboard for use in other apps.
New photo editing features
As for the new features of the Camera, in iOS 13, when we use the “studio lighting” mode, we can increase the intensity of the light, simulating that the subject is closer or far from the spotlights and getting more natural results.
Another novelty is the possibility of editing the captured photos by retouching the contrast, saturation, highlights and shadows and other elements of the image without the need for an additional program. Last but not least, videos can now be rotated from the gallery.
Redesign of some applications
Among other applications, Reminders has received a redesign, so that the content now appears in a kind of module in the upper area to make it easier to access the reminders. Apple also ensures that iOS 13 is able to recognize what we want to remember and when, for example.
Maps have also been improved, mainly in the United States, where the information will be more detailed thanks to a larger database. There will be a wider coverage of roads, buildings and terrain gradients. In general, you can add shortcuts for those sites that we visit often or that we need to locate more frequently. It will be launched in the United States at the end of 2019 and in more countries in 2020.
Continuing with the Maps application it also includes a new base map and 3D photography, as well as the “Look Around” function, which allows you to see images at street level, such as Google Street View. And as novelties, we also have the collections, which serve to easily share locations.
More natural voice and new Share Audio function
Apple has added in iOS 13 the possibility of its assistant reading your incoming messages through the AirPods. In this sense, it also highlights the Share Audio function, which allows us to share what we are listening with another person bringing our device closer to yours. Share Audio works between two iPhones and also with the Home Pod, which, by the way, is now able to recognize who speaks to you and customize the response.
In addition, Apple has implemented Neural Text to Speech (TTS) in Siri to make text reading more natural and not so robotic. To do this, the assistant will use cuts for Artificial Intelligence.
What devices are compatible with iOS 13
iOS 13 will arrive as always in the form of a free update to a large number of Apple devices, but smaller than on other occasions because, as we know, the iPad will receive its own operating system: iPadOS. We are, therefore, with the iPhone and iPod touch, which will welcome iOS 13 from the 6s model and the seventh generation respectively.
This is the complete list of devices that can update to iOS 13 (in addition to the iPhone 11, which will be released with the new version):
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPod Touch (seventh generation)
This year, therefore, the mobiles that are left out of the iOS 13 update are all models prior to 6S, including the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, as well as the sixth-generation iPod Touch.
