New iOS 14 Unleashed: Simplicity and Ease-of-use Gets More Light

During the virtual WWDC Apple Developers conference held on June 22, Apple introduced some exciting new features with iOS 14, emphasizing more on ease of use and app management. The significant features of iOS 14 include a complete redesign of the home screen, an App Library to organize better your apps, user-friendly widgets, and a space-efficient Siri interface. The release will also reveal several other exciting features such as a new translation app that support 11 different languages, the ability to unlock and start your car with your iPhone, and picture-in-picture video.

The developer version of iOS 14 is already available to download online. However, a final version of iOS 14 is yet to be released. The current release date is scheduled for the fall of this year. But for those of you anxiously waiting for the release, a relatively stable beta version will also be available starting the 13th of July.

iOS 14: Simplicity Redefined

Pin your Widgets, Redesign and Stack to your heart’s content:

With iOS 14, you can now pin widgets on your home screen and resize them as you desire. What’s more, it also creates a smart stack of widgets based on frequently used apps and time you use them.

iOS 14 new App Library changes the very idea of an app:

iOS 14 new App Library comes to the rescue for those struggling with a messy app menu filled up randomly. With the new App Library, apps are automatically organized. You can simply find the new App Library on the iOS 14 home screen. It smartly ties up your apps into groups by categorizing them. For example, apps like Facebook and Instagram would be grouped into a folder named social apps. Moreover, the categories of apps you use frequently will rise to the top of the screen, hiding your less-frequently used apps from view.

Also read: The Next Big Thing in 2020: 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard

Picture-in-Picture video and Compact Call:

iOS 14 lets you watch a video or continue your FaceTime calls even as you use another app. Also, calls from your iPhone and FaceTime that used to take full coverage, comes now in an all-new compact design. Apps that can receive calls will have a tiny notification window at the top of the screen.

App Clips display a small applets for a specific task:

There is no need to download the entire app to access a particular feature anymore, especially for a one-time purpose. You can simply use the new App Clip at times like these. What’s more, it only stays on your home screen until you have access to it.

Siri gets a facelift!:

Following the numerous complaints of iOS users worldwide, Apple has finally decided to tone down the Siri app. Apple’s signature know-it-all now occupies a small part of the screen instead of altogether leaving the screen black when activated. A short animation appears at the bottom of the screen when Siri is activated. Also, you can easily send audio messages with Siri now.

Siri has gone numerous usability updates in its short lifespan. As stated by Apple, Siri has over 20 times more facts than just three years ago.

New translation app with 11 languages:

In response to the growing popularity of the Google Translate app, iOS 14 has introduced a new app that translates your text or conversation. You can just turn your phone to landscape and tap the single microphone button to say something. It can also be used offline, which is a significant relief. During the launch in the fall, the developer team announced that it would currently support 11 languages.

Your phone is now your Car key:

This is one of the more intriguing features iOS 14 has introduced. After a quick little setup, you can now unlock and start your car using your iPhone. This feature lets you share your car keys with friends and family with ease. And let’s not forget the precious moments saved searching for your car keys before leaving every day!

Needless to say, this is a pretty exciting concept. But if something can change your life for the better, it can also change it for the worse; it will be interesting to see how Apple deals with security-related issues with this new feature.

iOS 14 Full Features:

• iOS 14 allows you to pin up to 9 of your most important conversations and type a name to direct a message to someone.
• Memoji gets customized with an additional 20 new hair and headwear styles along with new-age options.
• You can now use Maps to get cycling directions using bike lanes, paths, and roads.
• Adaptive lighting sets your lights to change color temperature throughout the day.
• iOS 14 lets you set a third-party app as the default email or browser app.
• Automatic switching seamlessly moves between devices without manually switching your AirPods.
• An all-new Sleep experience in the Health app helps you meet your sleep goals.
• Taking photos is even quicker, with faster time to the first shot and quicker shot-to-shot performance.

What do you think of the new iOS 14? Do you think it will be on par with Android OS or other Android UIs? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!