iPhone users will soon be able to experience a totally revamped lock screen, among other big changes coming in Apple’s new iPhone software update, iOS16.
A whole host of customisable features are coming to the iPhone lock screen, including changeable fonts, widgets and customisable notification styles as part of iOS16 when it releases later in the year, Apple announced recently at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2022 (WWDC22).
“iOS 16 is a big release with updates that will change the way you experience iPhone,” says Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice-president of software engineering.
“We have re-imagined how the Lock Screen looks and works with exciting new features that make it more personal and helpful.”
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The font and text colour on iPhone lock screens has remained unchanged since the phone’s inception, but now users will finally be able to change the look and feel of their iPhones.
You’ll also be able to rotate through a selection of lock screen photos of your choice automatically, or get inspiration from Apple collections, which can cycle through subjects such as nature or space and can even use images that reflect the weather throughout the day.
In addition to visual changes, you’ll now be able to add widgets to your lock screen to instantly get access to data such as calendar events, time zones, weather, activity ring progress, battery level and alarms. Widgets from your favourite apps will also be available in future.
iOS16 will also add a ‘Focus’ feature, which lets users filter their notifications, such as just focusing on work-related or personal messages.
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For your iMessage function, the software update adds the option to edit messages, unsend messages and mark threads as unread. Apple says it will also make it easier to switch between typing and dictation and the ‘Live Text’ feature makes it easier to copy text directly from images.
In an important safety update, the ‘Safety Check’ feature will allow users to quickly revoke location access to other users, a feature intended as a measure to help survivors of domestic violence.
If you’re into Apple gear in general, then a load of other goodies was also announced at WWDC22.
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The new MacBook Air 2022 and laptop was the other big news announcement from the conference.
Although 20 per cent smaller than its predecessors, the new MacBook Air boasts a bigger and brighter 13.6-inch display, the latest Apple M2 chip and a better 1080p webcam and is just 11mm thick. Apple says it will retail in Australia starting at $1899.
The iPad and Apple Watch will also be getting software updates, with the launch of iPadOS16 and watchOS 9.
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