Apple’s iOS 9 drops tomorrow

Apple’s latest software upgrade, the iOS 9, will launch tomorrow, just ahead of the release dates for the iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, iPad Pro, and new Apple TV.

A huge difference between Apple’s iOS launch and Android’s annual update is that all iPhone users can take advantage of the new OS. For various reasons, Google can only roll out new Android versions to its own Nexus devices. Apple can push the iOS 9 to an entire set of eligible devices, targeting a much wider audience.

The iPhone 4S, 5, 5s, 5c, 6, and 6 Plus are all eligible to download and install the upgrade, whereas the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will come with the OS preinstalled. Fifth and sixth generation iPod Touches, all iPads from the iPad 2 forward, and the entire iPad mini family are supported as well.

iOS 9 will introduce a number of novel features, including the App Thinning feature which frees up space on new devices by only downloading the version of an application that your device will run, rather than pulling down every version of a program; new emojis, including a taco, burrito, unicorn face, hot dog, popcorn, turkey, cheese wedge, and even a middle finger; a smarter Siri, that will understand “it” and “them” within context; expansion of Apple Pay; a better Apple Maps; an Apple News app; multitasking for iPad via a new feature called Slide Over; a new iOS keyboard; and an improved Wi-Fi connection.

After enormous complaints over iOS 8 being too large for 16 GB iPhones, Apple has trimmed the size required for system updates, and it can temporarily delete and re-download applications to clear space for necessary files during the upgrade process if there’s a lack of storage space.

Apple also announced that the new OS will receive several game-centric updates, including frameworks for developing AI (GameplayKit), lighting 3D models (Model I/O), and ReplayKit (used to record and share gameplay). Apple’s Metal AI will see frequent use on iOS 9, as a greater percentage of users can now take advantage of it. However, Metal only runs on A7-class devices or newer, meaning iPhone 4S, 5, and 5C users are out of luck.

The big question for the new software update is: will its performance delivery be all Apple promises? From the get-go, iOS 8 had a series of Wi-Fi and battery draining issues. The iOS 9 will need to run better than Apple’s last update to satisfy customers still complaining about the last update.

Longer battery life is a major concern for iPhone users, but Apple promises iOS 9 pulls switches to save juice, squeezing out an extra hour thanks to a new Low Power mode.

This time around, you may be able to install iOS 9 without deleting all of your photos, as it takes up 1.3 GB, whereas iOS 9 took up a massive 4.5 GB of internal storage. IPhone and iPad users will also be required to update to a 6-digit passcode, rather than an easier to crack 4-digit one.

Apple is extremely confident the iOS 9 will meet the performance standards it assures. We’ll find out tomorrow if it’s worth downloading. Will you be upgrading?

Source: ExtremeTech