As the new year comes to a close, Apple is readying its next major update: iOS 16. We can expect to see watchOS 9 and iOS 16 on our iPhones and iPads, but what else is coming in 2022? Let’s take a look! You’ll also learn about Multitasking and Interactive widgets. And, we’ll get a preview of tvOS, which will run on Apple TV.
iOS 16
Despite rumors, it is likely that the next iPhone series will include under-screen Face ID, a new design and a no-notch display. Apple is also rumoured to be working on an AR/VR headset, and it could be released this year. The new software update could also include built-in support for augmented reality experiences. The iPhone XS Max could feature these new features and more, and it could be the first version of the next iPhone to use the technology.
The new operating system will support more devices than its predecessor. However, the iPhone 6s series won’t be supported by iOS 16 because its processor is over six years old. Moreover, the first iPhone SE model is also unlikely to be updated with iOS 16.
A leak suggests that Apple is working on an AR/VR headset for release in 2022, and it could debut this new device at its upcoming WWDC conference in June. Lastly, Apple may be planning a new multitasking interface for iPad. If it is, it would be the best time to upgrade your iOS devices. In the meantime, you can enjoy the latest technology. But before you upgrade, you should first understand what you can expect from iOS 16:
The iOS 16 software update will likely be released during the WWDC conference in June 2022. Apple traditionally releases the final public version of iOS software around the same time as their next iPhone model. The next iPhone release, the iPhone XS, is expected to get iOS 16 at the same time. It is likely that other iPhone models won’t get iOS 16 until 2022. It is possible that Apple will announce the new OS on June 6 at its WWDC conference, but it hasn’t confirmed a release date for iOS 16.
WatchOS 9
Apple’s watchOS 9 software update schedule for 2022 has been leaked ahead of the WWDC next month. This could include health and fitness features. The company already released the watchOS 8 update for the Series 3, but the newest watchOS version could bring even more changes. Currently, the Apple Watch has no internal storage, so updates for watchOS will have to be delivered over-the-air. If you own a Series 4 Apple Watch, you may also receive the 2022 update.
In a recent newsletter, Apple mentioned that the upcoming WatchOS 9 software update, codenamed “Kincaid,” is likely to bring more improvements to Apple’s smartwatches. Those changes will include improved health and activity tracking. The company is unlikely to announce a rugged Apple Watch, but it could also bring major improvements to iPadOS 16. Earlier this year, the company improved the cycling workout detection feature. Next year, it could also add support for dance workouts.
The new watchOS version is expected to feature a new low-power mode that will enable the smartwatch to run apps while preserving battery life. This feature is called “Power Reserve” and is part of Apple’s overall effort to improve battery life. In addition, the company is planning to refresh a variety of built-in watch faces. This update will be compatible with Series 4 and later models. It will be compatible with all current Apple Watch models and will be compatible with the new series.
Multitasking
The latest software update for Apple’s iOS devices offers a number of improvements to multitasking. Reminders and Messages are now searchable using Spotlight, and the Cut/Copy/Paste pop-up has a new Define option. The fade-out of apps after they crash will now show a volume level bar. And a new icon for the ringer switch will let you see if there’s a ringer on the phone’s volume.
Another feature that’s making multitasking easier is the addition of the split view feature. In split view, you can slide an app over so you can select the second one. You can also access the Home Screen with the slide out feature, and you can also view all open apps on the shelf. If you’re looking for a quick way to switch between multiple windows, you can use the new keyboard shortcuts for windowing and multitasking.
As for the iPad, the new Home screen will now feature a widgets system. With widgets, you can pin dynamic information such as weather, stock prices, and more, right on the iPad Home screen. Multitasking will be easier and more intuitive with the new Home Screen design and keyboard shortcuts. The new split video feature is also expected to make multitasking even easier, which should make multitasking much easier.
Interactive widgets
One of Apple’s upcoming software updates will include interactive widgets. These are essentially small applications on the Home screen that let you control other apps. Ideally, these would be music, weather, flashlight, and other apps that you use often. But for now, Apple has resisted making any major changes to the Lock screen. However, they could be coming soon, so stay tuned for more information!
We’ve long admired Android’s widgets, and Apple’s latest update is expected to follow suit. iOS 14 will have more widgets, but the current ones don’t have interactive elements. Just swiping will take you to an app, but you may never use it. So, how can Apple make widgets more interactive? LeaksApplePro, a mobile tipster, has speculated that iOS 16 will add more widgets.
A leak suggests that Apple is planning to include interactive widgets in iOS 16. The screenshot comes from the Twitter account LeaksApplePro, and it shows a homescreen with large groups of widgets. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a reliable source for Apple news, has suggested that the company won’t completely revamp the iOS experience, but instead focus on making widgets more useful and adding health tracking options.
In addition to the Apple Music app, the iOS operating system has been experimenting with real homescreen widgets as well. While Apple has been working on this for years, they’ve not yet brought interactive widgets to their users. Instead, they have created shortcuts that take the user to the Music app. With interactive widgets, users can access more actions without leaving their home screens. This is similar to how Google introduced Material You to Android last year, which is a more colorful and shape-diverse user interface.
M1 chip
Apple’s M1 chip will make Macs run faster. The M1 chip is a system-on-a-chip. It includes a CPU, graphics processor, USB and Thunderbolt controllers, Secure Enclave, Neural Engine, image signal processor, audio processing hardware, and a single Thunderbolt port. The new M1 chip is much faster than Intel chips and should give Macs a leg up on other PCs.
The M1 processor is expected to be compatible with most software suites. Some third-party software, including Adobe products, may not be fully compatible with the M1 at launch. But Adobe has announced updates for those products in early 2021. Adobe may also take longer to update their products. The company has not revealed a timeline for rolling out the updates. In the meantime, Mac users can download the latest versions of Heyne products to ensure compatibility.
The M1 chip will be available on the next-generation Macs, including the iMacs, MacBooks, and MacBook Air. It is not entirely compatible with all Macs. However, it will be compatible with other Macs that support Intel processors. It will run Mac OS 11 Big Sur. However, all compatible software must support the M1 processor to make it work. There’s a chance that some people will still use their Intel Macs after the transition, so Apple will support those customers for a few more years.
Mac mini
If you’re wondering if the next-generation Mac Mini is indeed on its way, the Studio Display firmware may be a clue. It contains a code that suggests that it is indeed the new model. The code was spotted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith, who discovered it in a firmware update for the Studio Display. The code hints at a new device that Apple might be testing.
According to Kuo, the new model will be “more powerful” than the current version, and it will probably be based on a revamped base M1, which will keep the temperature and noise down while scaling up to higher-end systems in the future. While Kuo doesn’t expect a complete redesign of the Mac mini, he’s not expecting to see much else. In fact, the only major design change he’s interested in is the addition of connections on the front. It would be nice to see a USB-C/Thunderbolo power cord, and iMac-like colors.
The second major change to the Mac mini is the M1 chip, which will be included in both the M1 mini and the M2 version of the Mac. The M1 chip is based on the Apple silicon platform and will support up to three connected displays. The M1-based Mac will support up to two Thunderbolt ports. The updated Mac mini will have two Thunderbolt ports, but this is still limited compared to the previous model.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
