On the 4th of June, Apple announced their latest software, iOS 9. This new software like the latest Android M doesn’t come overhauling everything with new UI changes, rather it brings improvements to various parts of the OS some of which are outlined below:
- Improvements to Siri with new features such as Proactive (app suggestions) and Spotlight searches.
- Better improved Apple Pay, to support more banks and credit cards.
- Better refined Notes app, with new features like inserting images, checklists, and sketches. A strong competition for Evernote.
- Much more improved Maps with transit directions.
- Better news reader called News.
- Power user features for iPad users includes a more feature filled keyboard and split-screen multitasking.
- Leaner OS compared to iOS 8.
- Low Power Mode to churn out extra hours of use from a single charge.
The new iOS 9 is already available for registered developers, and a public beta will be out in July. A final release will be available before the end of the year with backward compatibility for devices as old as the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 from 2011.
Apple was still selling the iPad 2 up until last year, support for the device isn’t surprising. Never bothered with Apple maps, especially now that HERE maps is available for iOS.
As I use notes a lot, it will be interesting to see how close it will come to Evernote, but it can’t be its competition because Evernote is available for the major OSes.