Members of the iPhone Life team download and test the Apple beta software every year, to get a preview of the new software features. There's plenty to be excited about in the latest iOS update, and we'll fill you in on our favorites in this roundup. New iOS 14 features we've enjoyed so far include the Home screen organizing App Library, quickly finding just the right emoji with emoji search, watching videos and continuing FaceTime calls while using another app with Picture in Picture, improvements to group messaging, and more. Let's go over the best features we've found in the iOS 14 Public Beta so far.
News
5 Hidden Announcements from Apple's WWDC 2020
By Cullen Thomas
The announcements at Apple’s WWDC 2020 had plenty of hype for iPhones, iPads, Mac, and Apple Watch, but not every reveal that day came with a song and dance. A few key features of the new suite of operating systems were slipped into documentation released online without fanfare: on-device Siri processing; deeper support for third-party mail, web browsing, and music apps; and more. Maybe Apple thought we wouldn’t be as excited about these features, but for at least a few of these, we definitely are!
Apple to Transition to Its Own Silicon Processors for Macs. What Does This Mean for You?
By Nicholas Naioti
Opinion
During the WWDC 2020 keynote event, Apple announced that it will be transitioning to its own ARM-based silicon processors in future builds of Mac computers. If you aren’t a developer, this announcement might not have had much gravity. The thirty minutes Apple dedicated to this part of the announcement did little to explain why users should care about the transition, but this historic shift will change the way Mac software will work for the foreseeable future. While the shift will be gradual, Apple said it will release its first silicon-powered Macs by the end of the year. So why should we, as Mac users, care about this change? What will it mean for us moving forward?
Apple Announces WatchOS 7: Sleep Tracking, Face Sharing & More
By Cullen Thomas
The Apple Watch is getting a software update with watchOS 7. The update, announced at Apple's WWDC keynote event, will include sleep tracking (finally), potentially endless new faces and complications, and new workouts. The new OS offers exciting new tools, some long anticipated, some novel, and some with great potential.
Everything Apple Announced at the WWDC 2020 Keynote
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple covered a lot of ground today in its fast-paced virtual WWDC 2020 keynote, announcing all the new features coming to macOS Big Sur, iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 along with plans to switch from Intel processors to Apple silicon for the Mac. When it came to software updates, a unified user experience seemed to be the theme of the day, with the Mac getting a customizable Menu Bar with a Control Center and app icons that match those on the iPhone and iPad, and the iPad getting sidebars similar to those on the Mac, among other improvements. Additional highlights included a Home screen redesign for the iPhone, handwriting recognition for the Apple Pencil and iPad, sleep tracking for the Apple Watch, new privacy features, AirPods with surround sound, and more. We've got all the details below.
Anticipation is building for the WWDC keynote on June 22, when Apple will kick off its developers conference by introducing the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS. We'll also find out if the rumors are true about new Apple devices, including a HomePod mini, StudioPods, and an updated Apple TV. Our editorial team will be watching the WWDC 2020 keynote live stream, and checking out the broadcast on the new Apple Developer app for the Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, and Mac. We'll host a conversation in our private Facebook group as the event happens, where you're invited to join in, ask questions, and share your opinions. After the keynote, take part in a live taping of the iPhone Life Podcast, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage.
Apple Just Announced iOS 14: Here Are the Top Features
By Leanne Hays
Apple announced the new iPhone operating system, iOS 14, at the first all-virtual Worldwide Developers Conference today, and we got all the information about iOS 14 features we've been looking for, but without the audience's reactions or the familiar pace of an Apple keynote. The theme of iOS 14 was an overall improvement in organization and functionality, with an experience that's "more beautiful and data rich." Some exciting features include new ways to organize and customize the iPhone Home screen with the App Library and Widgets, the ability to sample apps with App Clips, and some exciting improvements to group messages. Let's go over everything we learned about iOS 14, including new and improved features, when we can download the iOS 14 public beta, and when we can expect the rollout of the shipping version of the new iOS.
Apple showcases new software for its devices every June at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), a mecca for developers and system engineers eager to learn about changes for the year ahead. The event traditionally commences with a keynote by Apple's CEO, Tim Cook. While not as captivating a showman as Steve Jobs, Cook's enthusiasm for his company and talented teams is infectious. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, WWDC will be an entirely virtual event, with both sessions and the June 22 keynote held online. In keeping with tradition, Apple should debut the next version of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS at WWDC. In anticipation of the new releases, I've collected the top rumors and leaks for this year's announcements, along with some wishful thinking and speculation. Let's open the rumor window to the future and see what Apple might share with the world this June.
iOS 14: All the Rumors about Apple’s Latest Operating System
By Leanne Hays
Apple announced the first version of iOS, Apple's operating system for the iPhone, iPod Touch (and formerly the iPad), back in January 2007, and at iPhone Life magazine we've been covering everything iOS related for almost as long. Starting with iOS 5, Apple has announced a new version of iOS each year at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) and this year's virtual developers conference should be no exception when it comes to Apple's software announcements and our coverage of it. Don't want to wait until the big Apple keynote to find out what to expect from iOS 14? In this rumor roundup, we've got everything you should know about this year's new iOS, including expected release dates, compatibility, the possibility of 5G for the new iPhones, new apps, and improvements to classic, native apps. So read on.
WWDC 2020 Apple Keynote: When & How to Watch the Next Apple Event
By Sarah Kingsbury
The next Apple event is the 31st annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company will unveil the next versions of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the mobile software for iPhones and iPads, and hold online sessions for Apple developers. The developers conference kicks off at 10 a.m. PT on June 22 with the WWDC Apple keynote address, which will livestream on Apple’s website and via the new Apple Developer app for the Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Along with its September iPhone announcement, the WWDC Apple keynote is one of the biggest Apple events of the year. We'll be offering live commentary in our Facebook group and in the live recording of the iPhone Life Podcast right after at 1 p.m. PT. Here’s how you can watch the WWDC 2020 Apple Keynote too.
Four years ago, Apple released the iPhone SE; and now, in a virtual unveiling, Apple is introducing the second generation of this simple, streamlined phone. While the SE uses older technology such as a Home button with fingerprint authentication and a single-lens camera, this compact new iPhone also offers many features of a higher-priced model, including the A13 Bionic Chip, high-end iPhone photography and video features, water and dust resistance, wireless charging, and tons of battery life. And you get all of that for $399, a price lower than we've seen for years (the regular iPhone now starts at $699). Let's get into the release date, cost, and features of the latest iPhone, so you can decide if you're going to upgrade or stick with your current phone for another year.
Apple Announces New iPad Pro & Magic Keyboard with Trackpad
By Leanne Hays
The world is a chaotic place right now, and in the midst of it all, Apple announced a new iPad Pro with a 3D scanning camera, a new Magic Keyboard with a trackpad, and an iPadOS update that includes trackpad support. The iPad Pro 2020 is Apple's most advanced tablet to date, featuring 3D scanning camera technology for an improved augmented reality experience, as well as the A12Z Bionic Chip, edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, dual-camera, and Pro Audio system. The new Magic Keyboard's trackpad will finally go head to head with most Windows PC laptops, with its new cursor for navigating, editing, and gestures. Here's everything you need to know about the new iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, including pre-order and release date, cost, and shipping dates. Let's get started!
Apple has announced that WWDC 2020 will be entirely virtual, with both sessions and the keynote held online. Other tech giants, like Google and Facebook, are shifting their conference structure this year as well, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a new strain of coronavirus. What does this change mean for Apple users? We’ve got everything you need to know right here.
Coronavirus Prevention: How to Clean & Sanitize Your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods & Apple TV Remote
By Leanne Hays
The current panic about the novel coronavirus causing the COVID-19 outbreak has made us all a little more conscious about bacteria, viruses, and germs in general. While you're busy house cleaning and washing your hands to prevent disease and kill germs, remember to disinfect and sanitize your Apple devices, including your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, EarPods, Mac, and even your Apple TV remote. Whether or not you ever come in contact with the coronavirus, studies have shown that our phones are downright filthy. A University of Arizona study shows that the average cell phone carries ten times more germs than a toilet. Ew. Bacteria found on iPhones include Streptococcus, MERS, and E. Coli, and viruses can linger on your smartphone as well. If this news leaves you wondering how to clean your phone and other Apple devices, this article will fill you in on all the methods to disinfect or sterilize them all without damaging them. Let's get started.
Apple's September 10 event is over and, as expected, the tech giant revealed three new smartphone models shipping later this month: the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. So, what sets these phones apart from their predecessors, and who might want to purchase these new devices? Let's go over the pre-order and shipping dates, pricing, and specs of the new iPhone release. We'll discuss how the 2019 iPhones are similar, how they differ from one another, and what that means for your iPhone upgrade this year.