In Pictures: At WWDC 2022, Apple tops up its iOS with an eye on UX

Apple previewed the latest versions of its operating systems in the form of the iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9 at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2022. We decode the updates and upgrades on what's coming from Apple product-lines - whether to buy or wait for the next?

iOS 16| With the latest operating systems, Apple delivers one of the most significant updates to the lock screen, syncs with new sharing, communication, and intelligence features.

Personalised lock screen | The feature has a new multilayered effect, where the subjects of photos are set in front of the time shown on the lock screen, creating a sense of depth. Users can also change the look of the date and time with type styles and colour choices.

Users can also create lock screens using their emoji or colour combinations. With multiple lock screens, users can switch wallpaper or photos with a swipe. Notifications also have been redesigned to roll up from the bottom.

iCloud’s shared photo library | This new feature will allow families to share photos with a separate iCloud library that up to six users can collaborate on - and contribute to.

Every user in the Shared Photo Library has access to add, delete and edit the shared photos or videos, which will appear in each user’s Memories and Featured Photos.

Messages | One of Apple’s most anticipated features will come to life with the update. Users can now edit or recall recently sent messages, recover recently deleted messages, and mark conversations as unread so they can come back to them later.

In addition, SharePlay is coming to Messages and will allow users to preview synced content like movies or songs and shared playback controls all while chatting in Messages.

New mail features | With the iOS 16, users can schedule emails ahead of time and are even given a moment to cancel the delivery of a message before it reaches a recipient’s inbox.

Live text enhancements | Live Text uses on-device intelligence to recognize text in images and will now be available for videos. Users can pause a video on any frame and interact with the text. Live Text also adds the ability for users to quickly convert currency, and translate text. Visual Look Up will hereafter recognise birds, insects, and statues.

Apple Pay Later option in the US | Apple Pay Later will provide users in the US an option to split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase into four equal payments spread over six weeks, with zero interest and no fees of any kind. The buy now, pay later feature will be limited to the US when iOS 16 arrives in the autumn.

CarPlay | CarPlay will be able to provide content for multiple screens within the vehicle. Deeper integration will allow users to control the radio or change the climate directly through CarPlay and using the vehicle data, It will seamlessly render the speed, fuel level, temperature, and more on the instrument cluster.

More information about the next generation of CarPlay will be shared in the coming months.

iPadOS 16 | The tech major also previewed iPadOS 16, a major update. These include new ways of sharing and connecting in messages, a new collaboration app called Freeform, the Weather app, and new security features for Safari.

The new software features will be available in September as a free software update for iPhone 8 and later; iPad (5th generation and later); iPad mini (5th generation and later); iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and all iPad Pro models.

watchOS 9 | With the new watchOS9 Apple Watch users will have access to updated Workout app, advanced metrics, views, and training experiences inspired by high-performing athletes.

Workout app updates | In watchOS 9, the Workout app introduces Custom Workouts, which can be used to create a structured workout that can include work and rest intervals. New alerts, including pace, power, heart rate, and cadence, can be added to guide users throughout the workout.

For triathletes, the Workout app now supports a new Multisport workout type that automatically switches between any sequence of swimming, biking, and running workouts, using motion sensors to recognize movement patterns.

New running metrics | New running form metrics, including Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation, can all be added as metrics on Workout Views. These metrics appear in the Fitness app summary and in the Health app.

AFib History | Currently, the ECG app and irregular rhythm notification on Apple Watch can identify potential signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Left untreated, AFib is one of the leading conditions that can result in a stroke.

With the latest operating system, users who are diagnosed with AFib can turn on AFib history feature and access important information, including an estimate of how frequently a user’s heart rhythm shows signs of AFib.

Users will also receive weekly notifications to understand the frequency and view a detailed history in the Health app, including lifestyle factors that may influence AFib, like sleep, alcohol consumption, and exercise.

Medications | The new Medications experience on Apple Watch and iPhone help users to create a medications list, set up schedules and reminders and view information on their medications in the Health app.

watchOS 9 will be available in September as a free software update for Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (second generation) or later, running iOS 16.