Apple Introduces iOS 14: What's New and iPhone Compatible

Apple Introduces iOS 14: 

What's New and iPhone Compatible

The Cupertino giant has presented iOS 14, the next update of its well-known operating system that, as many of our readers will know, has been left exclusive to iPhones and iPods, since iPads now use a specific version known as iPadOs.

Among the most important novelties that we have had the opportunity to see, the new home screen stands out, which presents a cleaner and tidier appearance, thanks, above all, to the integration of two new features: the Applications Library, which will help us bring order to the chaos of applications that some users suffer, and also thanks to the improvements that have been introduced in the widgets, which now have different sizes and can be integrated into the home screen without a problem.

Both functions are quite interesting and represent a marked improvement when we talk about the user experience with iOS 14. Thanks to the Application Library we will be able to order those enormous amounts of apps that we download and that we do not always know where they should be located. The integration of widgets on the home screen is another step in the right direction, both in terms of functionality and customization.

As it could not be otherwise, both features have an intelligent operation, and are perfectly integrated with another important novelty, «picture in picture». It may not tell you anything by that name, but if you look at the attached image I am sure you will know what it refers to. With this function, it is possible to enjoy floating videos while doing other things with your iPhone. We can move the video on the screen and even move it to the side so that it will not be visible, but the sound will continue to work.

Improving the user interface, the organization of the applications, and personalization has been one of Apple's big concerns with iOS 14, but these have not been the only changes, there are still more. Siri has also received some 'love' in this update. The interface has been redesigned to show a minimalist look that is reduced to a sphere with the classic colors of the well-known personal assistant. This sphere appears when we activate it, and all the information you offer us will appear in the form of quite discreet notifications.

Again we find a major improvement focused on the user interface, which reduces the impact of Siri on the interface and leaves us with a less invasive and much more attractive finish. Good for Apple. And speaking of Siri, the well-known assistant has not only received an interface-level facelift but has also improved its functions. She is now able to answer more difficult questions and perform more complex tasks, and can work as a local real-time translator, although she is currently limited to ten languages:

• English.
• Chinese (Mandarin).
• French.
• German.
• Italian.
• Japanese.
• Korean.
• Arab.
• Portuguese.
• Russian.

Apple has confirmed that it plans to expand the supported languages but has not specified anything, so for now, we can only wait.

The «Maps» application, Apple's great alternative to «Google Maps», has been another of the most important applications that have received notable improvements in iOS 14. These improvements include recommendations for places of interest, bicycle routes, and integration with electric vehicles. It also takes into account aspects such as the inclination of the routes that we are going to travel, the battery charge that we have, and will show the nearby chargers compatible with our car.

iOS 14 wants to be the key to your car

Apple Car presents two interesting novelties, one of them is in the possibility of using new wallpapers and the inclusion of new categories of applications, including parking, charging of electric vehicles, and those dedicated to ordering food, but without a doubt, the most important is the possibility of using the NFC connection of the smartphone as the key of our car.

We may authorize other people to use their iPhone as a key to open and start our car, and the validation process will be done through Face ID. The U1 chip is a fundamental part of this ambitious move by Apple.

Finally, Apple has also confirmed the news in "Messages" and "Memoji". We have interface-level enhancements in the first, such as the ability to respond directly to callers and to quote them to tidy up conversations, and new hairstyles and accessories in the second.

Devices compatible with iOS 14

Apple has not specified the devices compatible with iOS 14, but, except for surprise, this should end up being the definitive list :

• iPhone SE 2020.
• iPhone 11.
• iPhone 11 Pro.
• iPhone 11 Pro Max.
• 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.
• Seventh generation iPod touch.

The only terminals that are a little up in the air are the iPhone 6s-6s Plus, and therefore also the iPhone SE. Some sources believe that Apple will take advantage of the launch of iOS 14 for the terminal with the support of these three smartphones, something that certainly makes sense since they are the last dual-core CPU iPhones that still receive updates, but nothing is confirmed.

The launch of iOS 14 will take place later this year, specifically between September and October, coinciding with the presentation of the iPhone 12, but in the coming months, we will see the arrival of the different beta versions of the said operating system.