iOS 15 release: The biggest and best 5 features coming to your iPhone soon

There’s a big new update coming to your iPhone later this year with Apple announcing the release of its all-new iOS 15 operating system. This major software upgrade was announced last week during the firm’s yearly WWDC Developers Conference and there’s plenty to look forward to including big changes to FaceTime, Maps and Safari. iOS 15 will be pushed out to all iPhones – already running iOS 14 – in the autumn and here are 5 of the biggest upgrades coming to your device soon.

FACETIME

One of the biggest changes in iOS 15 will be a massive upgrade to Apple’s FaceTime video-calling service. With millions of relying on video calling apps to stay in touch with friends and family during the current health crisis, Apple has doubled-down on FaceTime, which is pretty simplistic compared to some of its biggest rivals. With iOS 15, that all changes thanks to a bunch of improvements aimed at making speaking to contacts on a screen feel far more immersive.

FaceTime will now boast Spatial Audio, which uses some clever technology to make it appear as if the voices of friends are coming from exactly where their face is positioned on your iPhone or iPad display. This should make it feel like you’re in the room with your friends of family. You’ll need to use headphones that support Spatial Audio, such as the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.

If you’re in the middle of a video chat and the neighbour starts mowing the garden there’s also “Noise Isolation”, which removes all distracting audio around you so the only thing the people on the call can hear is your dulcet tones.

Another nice feature that fans are sure to love is Portrait Mode. Just like when you use Portrait Mode to snap a selfie, FaceTime now adds a blur behind your face so you stand out more on calls – it also means friends can’t snoop on every book title on your bookcase.

Also included in this update is the ability to schedule a call for a set time with contacts then reminded so they join at the right time.

All that sounds great but perhaps the biggest new feature is SharePlay. This lets anyone share their music or video with everyone on the call.

Playback is synced across everyone’s devices, so friends can add new songs to a queue or skip a bad choice on everyone’s iPhone or iPad. Disney+, TikTok, and a number of other streaming apps have already committed to implementing the feature when iOS 15 launches later this year. You’ll also be able to share what is happening on your screen.

FOCUS MODE

If you’re always getting distracted by your phone then the new Focus Mode will help. This option is being introduced to allow users to switch off certain alerts or change the look of the home screen depending on what they are doing during the day.

That means in work hours you can hide addictive games but, once you’ve finished your shift, emails from the boss can automatically be tucked away. Focus Mode lets you set multiple categories for your device – Work, Home, and more with each setting switching the apps displayed on your home screen.

Your iPhone can also automatically switch between modes based on your location. Once in Focus Mode, contacts will also be alerted that you are busy which should end any arguments that you haven’t responded to a text.

MAPS

Apple Maps is getting a major reboot with the whole service being given a massive lick of paint.

Head into some of the world’s biggest cities and you’ll now find a highly detailed view with roads that show every traffic light and pedestrian crossing. Buildings have also been preciously mapped and iconic landmarks now appear in the most intricate detail.

Another useful featuring coming to Maps is a three-dimensional city-driving experience. This birds-eye view gives a much clearer picture of the road ahead and should help to make sure you never miss a turn or junction on the motorway.

If you prefer hopping on the bus rather than your car then Apple is improving its public transport directions with maps now showing you when your stop is approaching and when to hop off.

LIVE TEXT

Now, this is a clever new feature that iPhone users are going to love.

Live Text adds the ability to copy-paste any text from within a photo. So, menus, restaurant names, passport details and even hand written notes can be copied and pasted into Messages and emails as editable text.

The feature also works with Apple’s Translate app, so you can use the feature within your camera or Photos app to help work out what you want to order when travelling abroad.

NEW SAFARI

Finally, Safari is getting an upgrade with the search and tab bar being moved to the bottom of the screen to make things easier to use one-handed.

This new tab bar has also been made more compact and lightweight so it should interfere less with what you are looking at in the browser.

There’s also get a new Tab Groups option that allows users to save tabs and easily access them at any time across iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And there’s now a customisable start page and plus web extensions finally make it to Safari on iOS.

Speaking about the update, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: “For many customers, iPhone has become indispensable, and this year we’ve created even more ways it can enhance our daily lives.

“iOS 15 helps users stay connected while sharing experiences in real time, gives them new tools to help reduce distraction and find focus, uses intelligence to enhance the photos experience, and, with huge upgrades to Maps, brings new ways to explore the world. We can’t wait for customers to experience it.”