Apple Announces iOS 14 with Widgets, PIP, Threads, and More

Apple is hosting its WWDC conference today and the company has announced software updates to many of its products.Not all that surprising, the company has announced the next version of iOS and it will be called iOS 14.

When it comes to iOS updates, these changes impact a billion users. Much like Windows, this means changes have to be cautionary and don’t take huge risks as the established user-base typically doesn’t react well to big updates. That being said, here is what Apple has on the agenda for iOS 14

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Here are the highlights:

  • Widgets are getting revamped and can now be added to the home screen
  • Picture-in-Picture mode will let you play video on any screen and swipe to the side to have the audio continue to play without the video being present
  • A new translate app makes it easier to translate voice and text
  • Messages you can now pin messages to the top of your message list
    • There are now in-line threaded replies for group texts
    • You can also @mention people in the thread as well
  • There is a new app tool that will auto organize your apps into frequently used or recently downloaded
  • Apple Maps is getting a sizeable update to make it easier to find content around you.
    • New tools to find bicycle lanes, EV routing, congestion zones, and more.
  • CarPlay gets a new Car Key features where your phone can unlock your car
  • App Clips let you access features of an app without having to download it – you can pay for services in an APP Clip without having to download it.

iOS 14 will arrive later this year and you can expect a few beta releases to arrive this summer. That being said, if these betas are like anything in the past, you may want to avoid the early iterations as they typically will drain the battery much faster than the current iOS 13 release.

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Conversation 34 comments

  • Winner

    22 June, 2020 - 2:00 pm

    <p>Good to see, as the top three bullets we've had on Android for a long, long time.</p>

    • JoePaulson

      22 June, 2020 - 8:35 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547910">In reply to Winner:</a></em></blockquote><p>And I am sure Apple will have a perfected experience for them.</p>

  • scovious

    22 June, 2020 - 2:04 pm

    <p>It's like windows phone but with patented rounded corners.</p>

    • branpurn

      22 June, 2020 - 2:37 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547911">In reply to scovious:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>App Library is very much reminiscent of Windows Phone</p>

  • seattlemike

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 2:04 pm

    <p>So now it's still a grid of icons but with some icons larger than others!</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      22 June, 2020 - 2:07 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547912">In reply to SeattleMike:</a></em></blockquote><p>Any progress is good progress. I’m more interested in the widgets, personally.</p>

      • seattlemike

        Premium Member
        22 June, 2020 - 5:04 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#547913"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a><em> The current Widgets are useless and broken.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • nanovak

      Premium Member
      22 June, 2020 - 2:58 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547912">In reply to SeattleMike:</a></em></blockquote><p>So, they're reinventing the Windows 8 tile interface. Got it. ;-)</p>

    • dcdevito

      22 June, 2020 - 3:48 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547912">In reply to SeattleMike:</a></em></blockquote><p>It’s a widget – way more useful. I can see myself setting my entire first homescreen with nothing but icons </p>

  • Cdorf

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 2:18 pm

    <p>Snooze. Wake me if they let me set a $@%$ default app</p>

    • Chris_Kez

      Premium Member
      22 June, 2020 - 3:06 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547914">In reply to Cdorf:</a></em></blockquote><p>iOS 14 will let you set email and browser default apps.</p>

      • Cdorf

        Premium Member
        22 June, 2020 - 8:37 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#547928">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>Whoa. I wonder why Brad didn't mention that. Its a good start. Edge, Outlook check. </p>

        • lvthunder

          Premium Member
          22 June, 2020 - 10:16 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#548133">In reply to Cdorf:</a></em></blockquote><p>Because it didn’t make it in the keynote. It was mentioned in a press release and briefly mentioned in the state of the platforms video. </p>

        • SvenJ

          23 June, 2020 - 3:50 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#548133"><em>In reply to Cdorf:</em></a><em> I have Outlook and Edge loaded on my iPhone. I have noticed for a long time if there are url links in Outlook, it will open them in Edge. I set nothing to have this happen. It has on occasion been undesireable. There are Apple features that don't work in Edge. e.g. opening a link in mail to an Apple Store pickup time/notice. In Edge you get nothing useful. In Safari you get a link that adds the pickup to your Wallet. If I open the same e-mail in Mail the url open Safari, the Wallet link is present and I can add it. </em></blockquote><p><br></p>

          • bleeman

            Premium Member
            23 June, 2020 - 5:02 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#548484">In reply to SvenJ:</a></em></blockquote><p>I'm not sure if this is available in the iPhone implementation (I have Android) but in Outlook on my iPad Mini under settings there is an option under the "Preferences" category labeled "Open Links With". I have mine set to Edge but the other option is Safari.</p>

  • branpurn

    22 June, 2020 - 2:38 pm

    <p>Microsoft is running away from live tile-esque/widget home screens, Apple is running towards them</p>

  • jjonas51

    22 June, 2020 - 2:45 pm

    <p>Can I get the weather on the lock screen? That's all I really want.</p>

    • Jeffsters

      22 June, 2020 - 2:57 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547918">In reply to jjonas51:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes</p>

  • JustACodeMonkey

    22 June, 2020 - 3:04 pm

    <p>Does this mean we can actually put an app icon where we want it, or do they still just flow?</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 3:08 pm

    <p>Curious if PiP will work with YouTube app. One of the selling points for YT Premium has been the ability to continue playing when the screen is off/when the app is not in the foreground.</p>

    • dcdevito

      22 June, 2020 - 3:47 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547929">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yeah I was wondering the same. I think they’ll have no choice and include it but inject ads and keep Premium ad free </p>

    • dcdevito

      22 June, 2020 - 10:12 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#547929">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>Works on YouTube in Safari </p>

      • Chris_Kez

        Premium Member
        23 June, 2020 - 11:30 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#548198">In reply to dcdevito:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yep; good call out. I will sometimes use that if I know I have something I want to watch with PiP, but often I’m opening from a link, which triggers the YT app.</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 3:15 pm

    <p> Still hoping they'll drop Yelp from Apple Maps and invest in developing their own review and POI service.</p>

  • dcdevito

    22 June, 2020 - 3:47 pm

    <p>I really like this implementation, looks great. Circa Windows Phone LOl </p>

  • christian.hvid

    22 June, 2020 - 3:49 pm

    <p>You're probably right that iOS users don't appreciate change. But the UI is looking seriously dated now. Is there really no way that Apple's hordes of designers could bring the UI into 2020 without sacrificing familiarity?</p>

  • hal9000

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 4:52 pm

    <p>Looking forward to get my beloved windows phone tiles back! :)</p>

  • clutem1987

    22 June, 2020 - 5:39 pm

    <p>Can't wait to get my Lumia 920 back. </p>

  • nbplopes

    22 June, 2020 - 7:54 pm

    <p>I don’t care much for widgets. I’ve seen many implementations since Apple (macOS X Tiger, 2005) and Windows Vista in 2006. Also used the revamped approach on Windows Phone 7 Mango, Windows 8 and Windows 10 .. Android. Always end not using them beyond clicking to access the apps.</p><p><br></p><p>Having said this, they always looked kind of cool. The Apple approach presented for iOS 14 is no exception. Maybe this implementation have something that make me appreciate what I did not before. Will see.</p>

  • Awhispersecho

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 8:58 pm

    <p>Welcome to 2014 Apple users. Glad you didn't have to wait too long. </p>

  • anderb

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 9:25 pm

    <p>Also of note, iOS14 will support iPhones released 5 years ago i.e. the 6s and SE. </p><p>None of this Android "2 years support and then you're on your own" rubbish.</p>

  • kjb434

    Premium Member
    22 June, 2020 - 9:38 pm

    <p>Welcome to the HTC Android/Windows Mobile interface of the past.</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    23 June, 2020 - 2:53 am

    <p>Android welcome iOS to the 21st Century.</p><p>Widgets (or the lack thereof) has been one of the things that drove me away from iOS. I have always used Live Tiles or Widgets, not many, just a couple, but they mean I get important information without having to dip into the relevant app, just glance at the home screen.</p><p>I never understood why Apple so doggedly refused to implement this.</p>

  • Greg Green

    25 June, 2020 - 9:01 am

    <blockquote><em><a href="#547932">In reply to burns:</a></em></blockquote><p>And apple laughs and makes a note to send flowers to the WP gravesite. And Balmer.</p>

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