Apple devices get software revamp
Phone owners can now update their devices to access the latest operating system. The new software, iOS12, was released this week and works on devices going back to the iPhone 5s and the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2.
Make sure you do a backup of your iPhone or iPad before installing. Then open the settings app, go to general and then software update.
It’ll take several minutes depending on the speed of your wi-fi connection.
Once updated, you won’t notice any visual difference as there have been no design changes this year.
The first thing you’ll probably see is the Measure app which uses augmented reality to help you measure things. Think of it as a digital ruler and it’s great to get a quick idea of size but you may want to use a tape measure if you need a precise measurement.
Hopefully, the next thing you notice is that your iPhone will be running faster. This is especially the case with older models. Apple says you should notice the camera launching more quickly and there will be speed improvements when launching apps.
Next, take a look at Screen Time, which is found in the Settings app. This shows you exactly how much time you spend on your iPhone and iPad and which apps you’re spending it on.
Screen Time also lets you set limits for apps and create restrictions for certain content.
The best use of this app is for parents who are able to apply them to their kids’ devices.
Another change that helps you manage your iPhone better is the improvements to notifications.
IOS12 now groups notifications together, which makes for an improved experience.
You can also edit settings for each notification as it arrives. Swiping left on a notification will bring up a ‘‘manage’’ so you can set it to arrive quietly or turn them off without going into the main settings menu.
Improvements have also been made to the camera and Photos app. When using Messages or FaceTime you can add effects such as stickers, text labels, and drawings on the images.
The Photos app has a new tab called ‘‘for you’’ which shows batches of images grouped by place, date or subject. The search function has also been updated to include suggestions such as certain moments, places, people or categories based on the photos you’ve taken.
IOS12 now groups notifications together, which makes for an improved experience.