All the Rumours we have heard about iOS 12

The next update to the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is already in development at Apple's headquarters in California.

While we don't know a whole lot about the update, codenamed "Peace" at this point in time, we have heard some interesting rumors that shed light on some of the features and changes we can expect to see in the update, which, based on past updates, is likely to be called "iOS 12."

iOS 12 is going to be an update that focuses heavily on bug fixes and refinements to the underlying code because Apple wants to address performance and quality issues.

According to Bloomberg, Apple was originally planning to introduce features that included a refresh of the Home screen with a redesigned app grid, a revamped CarPlay interface, improvements to core apps like Mail, and updates to picture-taking, photo editing editing, and photo sharing, but the company has opted to delay these features until 2019 in order to focus more heavily on making iPhones "more responsive and less prone to cause customer support issues."

There will, however, be new some new features, which are rumored to include improvements to augmented reality and digital health along with more robust parental controls and improvements to FaceTime. Rumors have also suggested Apple is working on universal apps that work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple's aim is to allow software developers to design one app that will work with either a touchscreen or mouse, allowing it to run on the iPhone and iPad or on a Mac. Though Apple has cut some features from iOS 12, the company is still on track to unveil a unified apps platform in 2018.

Rumored Features:

CROSS-PLATFORM FUNCTIONALITY

The biggest change coming in iOS 12 may be cross-platform apps. The update, along with macOS 10.14, will allow developers to design a single app that will work on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, a stark change from the separate Mac and iOS apps available today.

Apple may bring some of its own iPhone apps, like the Home app, to the Mac as part of this update.

NEW ANIMOJI

Animoji, available on the iPhone X, will be expanded in iOS 12. Apple is said to be planning to introduce new Animoji characters and an interface that's easier to navigate.

Animoji are also coming to the iPad, with the next-generation iPad Pro rumored to include a TrueDepth camera.

ANIMOJI FACETIME INTEGRATION

Apple is planning to integrate Animoji into FaceTime, allowing people to use the animated emoji characters when making a video call.

Multi-person FaceTime calls are reportedly being explored as well, but Bloomberg says that feature may not be ready for a 2018 debut.

PARENTAL CONTROLS

Apple plans to update its parental controls in iOS 12 with a new Digital Health tool that will let parents know how much time their children have spent using iOS devices, which will allow parents to better monitor screen time.

OTHER CHANGES

Several other features have been rumored for the iOS 12 update, such as the following:

• A redesigned Stocks app

• Deeper Siri integration in Photos for search purposes

• An enhanced version of Do Not Disturb that will offer users more options to automatically reject calls and silence notifications.

• Revamped interface for importing photos into an iPad.

• Multi-person augmented reality games.

• Revamped iBooks app with "Today" section

Release Date

iOS 12 will be previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which is taking place from 4th June 2018 - 8th June 2018. Following iOS 12's unveiling at WWDC, it will be seeded to developers for testing purposes and given to Apple's public beta testing group later (maybe in July / August). When beta testing has finished in by September, iOS 12 will see a public release alongside new iPhones, provided Apple sticks to its traditional release schedule.

 

Sahil Shah

Macmerise Creations LLP