iOS 10: Features Wish List

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It’s nearly that time of year again when Apple releases its latest operating system, and anticipation is building ahead of the revelation of iOS 10. The latest iteration of the Apple mobile operating system will be revealed at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which is expected to be slotted into the week commencing June 13 this year.

It is anticipated that the beta version of the software will be released during the Worldwide Developers Conference itself, as has been the case historically. This will enable developers to become acquainted with an early build of the operating system, with the final software released alongside the iPhone 7 in September.

Aside from the iPhone itself, the release of the latest version of iOS is arguably the highlight of the Apple calendar, and thus there are already a great deal of rumors circulating regarding what we can expect from this mobile OS.

iOS 10 – Delete Apple apps

One of the early suggestions regarding iOS 10 is that the Apple software will provide users with the ability to hide, or possibly even completely delete, apps that come pre-installed on every Apple hardware release. This is the sort of flexibility that fans of Apple devices have been requesting for many years, and if it does come to fruition it will certainly be warmly welcomed.

The reason that this is being particularly floated for iOS 10 is that the CEO of the company, Tim Cook, had previously remarked that it is something that engineers at the consumer electronics giant are working on. “So over time, I think with the ones that aren’t like that, we’ll figure out a way,” Cook commented just a few months ago.

Photos app

It is also expected that the Photos app included in the iOS 10 system will be significantly upgraded from previous versions of the software. In particular, some of the features associated with its predecessor, iPhoto, could be included in the iOS 10 Photos app. One suggestion is that the tool that is utilized in order to edit the EXIF data associated with an image could be reinstated.

Face detection could make an appearance in the Photos application for the first time as well, with this feature already part of the functionality of the Mac-based Photos app.

Control Center

There have also been whispers that Apple will significantly revamp the Control Center feature that is of course central to the entire operating system. As is the case with many aspects of the iOS operating system, the recent advent of 3D Touch means that programmers at the California-based company have massive potential to significantly tweak the Control Center, and this could be put into operation when iOS 10 is released.

iPad Pro features

iOS 10 is also expected to include some special new functionality for the iPad Pro lineup, particularly as Apple just released its second iPad Pro variant alongside the iPhone SE. Apple is now promoting the iPad Pro range as possible replacements for laptops – despite the fact that its own MacBook range is still considered the definitive laptop by many – so adding functionality to the tablet series in order to corroborate those claims would make sense, and would help truly transform the devices into professional tablets.

Expect to see some serious productivity additions in the iOS 10 system in order to serve this pressing need.

Finder introduction

One feature that fans of other Apple devices have suggested for the mobile operating system is the inclusion of a Finder app. This is a central aspect of the OS X operating system, and it could be included for the first time in iOS 10, if some Internet murmurings are to be believed.

The functionality and feature set of the Mac essentially revolves around this aspect of organising a desktop computer, and with iOS steadily moving towards a more sophisticated approach to document management, the inclusion of Finder could be a distinct possibility.

Siri upgrades

The role of personal assistants in consumer electronics is growing significantly, and Apple is likely to hand increased functionality to Siri when iOS 10 is released. In particular, reports have focused on a new feature which apparently enables the personal assistant to answer telephone calls and transcribe messages which are then sent via text. It is largely believed that this will indeed see the light of day in iOS 10, making the latest Apple operating system a more intelligent operator.

Default third-party apps

As Apple continues the process of making the iOS operating system more flexible and customizable, it is suggested that iOS 10 could feature default third-party apps as part of its overall package. There is no doubt that the stock software included in the iOS operating system is greatly valued, but the ability in iOS 10 to select a default third-party app which could replace the standard iOS variant would be a welcome addition to the software.

Apple is always trying to pilfer users from Android devices, and making such applications as Chrome and a Gmail accessible to users of iOS 10, who are accustomed to such android-based software, would undoubtedly be attractive.

Multi-user support

One feature that has been conspicuous by its absence with previous iOS releases has been the ability of Apple devices to support a raft of different users. This would be particularly useful for people who share an individual iPad, or businesses that require devices to be assigned to more than one employee.

It would be ideal for such consumers and corporate clients to be able to log in with pin, password and TouchID fingerprint, enabling their particular iOS device to be fully customized to their preferred settings. This would be extremely convenient, and a much welcomed feature, but this should probably be filed under ‘wish list’, as Apple will certainly want such customers to purchase several Apple devices!

Nonetheless, there is plenty to look forward to with the release of iOS 10, as Apple prepares itself for the next generation iPhone 7 in particular.

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