Before WWDC 2020 officially began, iOS 14, which had been leaked in advance, was officially unveiled and confirmed to include desktop widgets (Widgets), picture-in-picture display mode, and a more convenient app organization interface similar to the Android operating system. In addition, updates to Messages, Siri, and Maps functions were announced, and the previously exposed CarKey function and the Clips interface similar to the Android Instant Apps design were added, allowing users to quickly execute the full functions of apps under 10MB in size without actually downloading them.
The biggest change in this update is that iOS has finally added a more convenient app organization interface, and the ability to place widget content on the desktop. In addition, users can watch videos through a convenient picture-in-picture display and handle other tasks at the same time. Even the incoming call interface will no longer take up the entire screen, allowing users to more conveniently choose to answer or hang up.
New app organization interface
In the newly added App Library interface, users can not only check the content recently downloaded through the App Store at any time, but all downloaded apps will also be automatically classified according to categories. Users can also choose to hide specific desktop pages, thereby "hiding" a large number of apps stored in the desktop pages, retaining only a few that need to be displayed using pages.
Desktop widgets, picture-in-picture
The desktop widget section actually enhances the widgets originally on the leftmost page, and can be dragged to the desktop page for placement. You can even adjust the display size according to your needs. In addition, you can switch between different widgets through a carousel, and even automatically display the content the user needs according to time and location.
As for the picture-in-picture display function, it has been added as the screen size of current iPhone models has increased. It is mainly convenient for users to watch videos while simultaneously processing memos and other matters, or using other app content.
Information Update
In terms of the message function update, the ability to pin specific messages and mark specific recipients for replying to messages has been added, making group messaging communication more convenient. At the same time, users can also customize identification icons for group messaging. It was also announced that more Memoji stickers will be added to meet daily life needs, including designs such as wearing masks and adjustable age, allowing users to further customize their personal facial expressions.
Siri adds instant conversation translation
The new Siri interface also mirrors the new incoming call screen design. Instead of taking up the entire screen, a smaller icon appears at the bottom of the screen, and responses are presented as a banner message that doesn't interfere with the main screen. Additionally, Siri's dictation function has been restructured from a cloud-based operation to on-device computing, accelerating processing efficiency while emphasizing data privacy and security. Recorded content can also be quickly shared with others.
In addition, Apple has also added 11 languages through Siri, including English, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese and Russian, and supports conversational instant translation function, as well as a horizontal display mode that allows the other party to view the translation results at the same time.
According to Apple, Siri is currently called more than 250 billion times per month by users around the world, and has accumulated more than 20 types of complex questions.
Maps add bicycle and electric vehicle navigation functions
The map update adds more local information in the UK, Ireland and Canada, as well as more local attraction information. The navigation function also adds a bicycle path option, which will prompt you when the road slope increases and when you need to tow or carry a bicycle up stairs in certain areas. This feature will currently be available in New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, and Shanghai and Beijing in China.
In addition, more appropriate navigation instructions have been added for electric vehicles that need to be recharged, including estimated routes to charging stations or the driving distance that can be corresponded to the current power. However, at present, it only cooperates with electric vehicles from BMW and Ford. It is expected that support for more electric vehicles will be added in the future.
CarKey, a digital car key, is now available.
In this update of CarPlay, in addition to adopting a new interface design and adding parking lots, charging stations, and restaurants to the navigation items, it also supports the CarKey function, allowing users to use their iPhone directly as a digital car key to open the car door, start the vehicle, or lock the vehicle. At the same time, the digital car key can also be shared with designated parties through iCloud, and encryption protection is also emphasized.
The CarKey feature will be available for devices running iOS 13 and iOS 14. The first car model to support this feature will be the 2021 BMW 5 Series. Apple will also cooperate with more car manufacturers to add this feature in the future.
Clips design for quick use app
Previously, the design that allowed users to quickly access specific apps in apps such as Messages has been changed. Now, through the new Clips function, users can quickly access the full functions of apps under 10MB in size through NFC sensing, scanning QR codes, etc., without downloading and installing.
The intention of this design is actually somewhat similar to the Instant Apps promoted on Android, which allows users to quickly use specific apps when they temporarily need to use shared bicycles, complete payments through specific services, etc., thereby saving the trouble of having to spend time downloading and setting up apps for single use needs, and then actually downloading and installing them when there is further need.
The official version will be released in autumn
The new version of iOS 14 is now open to developer preview testing, and is expected to be open to all users to join the public test in July, and the official version is expected to be released in the fall of this year.
