Webtron’s Cheatsheet to the IOS 9 Updates You’ve Probably Overlooked

The New IOS 9 Update is here!

In the year 2015, is there anything that tech-giant Apple can’t conquer? Evidently, the uptake of Apple products in the past decade has soared.

IOS 9 is available across all newer versions of the Apple Products

Since their success in the markets of digital music players, laptops, computers and phones, Apple has grown its product range to encompass AppleTV, ApplePay, the iWatch, Apple Pay and more. Apple has grown so much so that it is now one of the most valuable brands of the 21st century – closely followed by Google, of course. But is the power struggle between these two icons about to get stronger? We think yes.

Blast from the past! Remember the iPod 2?

Remember the first few versions of the black and white iPod? Regardless of how outdated we may think it is now, it definitely revolutionised the market during its time. From their rainbow silhouette ads, to the Mac versus PC campaign, IOS 9 encapsulates just how far the Apple brand has come. 

….versus now

 Apple Takes a Lunge at Online Advertising with their IOS 9 Release

With their IOS 9 release, Apple released its own Ad-Blocking software. Despite the fact that it may improve our own user experience, IOS 9 has the potential to absolutely infuriate advertising providers, including Google who makes an astounding 168 billion AUD from ad revenue in online advertising. 

“[Advertisers are] gobbling up everything they can learn about you and trying to monetise it… and it’s not the kind of company that Apple wants to be.” You know what we think? Faster internet loading speeds on mobile phones and less spammy ads? Go Apple!

And now to the IOS 9 cheatsheet:

Over the years, it has become evident that Apple is a company that will just keep innovating. The move to block ads on their mobile devices is one that may stir up the market, but we’re excited to see what Apple has in mind to follow it all up.

But whilst we’re here, we thought we’d give you a quick low-down on what else the IOS 9 update has brought to the table with our Cheat Sheet to the IOS 9 updates you’ve probably overlooked:

General Updates:

• More built-in apps for your iPad and iPhone – because who didn’t enjoy the Pedometer feature in the in-built Health app in the last round of updates
• A new look keyboard – you’ll get used to it
• Click back between apps – the status bar now has a one tap arrow that can take you back one step if other programs open unexpectedly. It’s not always shown on the phone between apps, but you’ll know it when you see it
• Low power mode – reduces power consumption when you’re not near a charger and gives you an extra 3 hours of battery life when you need it
• New look multi-task app switcher – enhanced functionality 
• New functionality in the Notes App – now you can add photo and map attachments as well as draw pictures!
• Convert Websites to PDFs in Safari – Open these in your iBooks for future reference.
• Hide photos in your album – tap select and click through all those photos you want to hide without actually deleting them from your phone.
• Image Markup – Make direct notes on picture attachments by drawing directly on a photo before sending via Hold > Markup
• Public Transport routes in the default Maps app
• Request mobile sites – Now we’d hope that with Webtron, you’d never have to use this one! Ever been on a poorly designed mobile site and wished that you could just go view the plan desktop site? Now you can! Hold refresh in Safari and click “Request Desktop Site”

iPad Specific

• Multi-tasking is now easier than ever on iPad with the long awaited split screen feature
• Keyboard doubles as a trackpad – use two fingers to swipe around the keyboard as if it were a trackpad. It’s a really handy alternative to making corrections to URLs, walls of text etc.

iPhone Specific

• Unknown caller suggestions – your iPhone can now suggest callers even if you don’t have them saved in your contacts. This only works if someone’s emailed you and have included their phone number in their signature. VERY handy for business!
• App prediction –  allows your iPhone to make educated guesses about what apps you’ll want to use based on an action. i.e. plugging in headphones may automatically open the music app if you do usually do that. 
• Pay for everything with Apple Pay – Available on iPhone 6 and 6s, the new Apple Pay is the newest and safest way to make payments. You don’t even need to unlock your phone, simply hold your phone to a contactless reader with your finger on the Touch ID and voilà. Similar functionality for Apple Pay is available on iWatch – double click to securely pay and go. ApplePay can also be used on iPhone and iPad apps to make quick payments with online shopping.
• A Smarter Siri – with suggestions and increased intelligence. Just swipe left! As Siri learns more about you she’ll be able to make suggestions to you based on the time of day or location (sounds scary, but it comes with some pretty cool functionality)!

Of course, there are a few more to top off the list, but where’s the fun us telling you everything? 

Thanks for reading and until next time, 

The Webtron Team