5 best iOS 13 features

Tech giant Apple has provided a glimpse at the upcoming iOS 13 features that introduces a dark mode new tools to edit photos, using Apple ID to sign-in to apps and websites, and an all new maps that could make iPhone users uninstall Google Maps. Apple previewed the iOS 13 features at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2019 in San Jose, California.

According to Apple, the iOS 13 is faster with improved app launch times, and brings optimisations in the system, reduces the sizes of app downloads. Here are 5 best iOS 13 features.

Dark Mode: A Dramatic New Look for iPhone

After months of rumours and leak images, Apple has finally announced a dark mode that gives devices including iPhones and iPads a new dramatic look. The new dark mode theme works across all apps and system navigation controls to enhance readability in dimly lit environments or while using the devices at night to reduce eye strain.

Third party developers can integrate dark mode to all their existing and future apps. Dark Mode can be scheduled to turn on automatically at sunset or at a certain time and adjusts background and foreground colours to make content stand out. Dark Mode is one of best iOS 13 features awaited by the users.

New Editing Tools for Photos app

In the new iOS 13, Apple’s proprietary Photos app will use on-device machine learning to organise the entire library to highlight the best images. The Photos app will now automatically put together similar photos from the events from the past day, month or year. According to Apple, photos and videos are intelligently curated to make it easy for users to browse and discover their favourite memories.

Now with just a swipe, user can increase or decrease the effects such as saturation, contrast, brightness. Also in iOS 13, most of the photo editing tools are now also available for video editing, making it easy to rotate, crop or apply filters right within the Photos app. A new High-Key Mono effect creates a beautiful, monochromatic look for Portrait mode photos.

Sign-in with the Apple ID

With the new iOS 13, users can now use their Apple ID to quickly sign-in to apps and websites, instead of using a social media account or filling up a new form.

Apple said it will protect users’ privacy by providing developers with a unique random ID. Even in cases where developers choose to ask for a name and email address, users have the option to keep their email address private and share a unique random email address instead.

All new Maps

While Apple has its own Maps app, we mostly relied on Google Maps to navigate the world around us because of its simplicity and easy access. In iOS 13, Apple has worked really hard to make its Maps stand out. According to Apple, its research team drove nearly four million miles to rebuild the base map from the scratch. The all new Apple Maps now comes with a broader road coverage, improved pedestrian data, precise addresses and more detailed landcover. The new map is currently available to select cities and states, and will be rolled to more countries by 2020.

Apple has also added a new ‘Look Around’ feature that delivers beautiful street-level imagery of a city with smooth and seamless transitions. iOS 13 brings additional new features to the Maps app, including Collections to easily share favourite restaurants, travel destinations or places to shop with friends.

Few additional iOS 13 features

Reminders has also got a new look offering new ways to create and edit reminders. The quick toolbar now makes it easier to add times, dates, locations and flags, or add attachments.

Messages can now use customised Memoji or Animoji to automatically share a user’s name and photo in the Messages thread. Notes has a new Gallery View, more powerful collaboration with shared folders, new search tools and checklist options.

Availability

The iOS 13 developer preview is available download to Apple Developer Programme members at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta programme will be available to iOS users next month at beta.apple.com.

Apple will roll out iOS 13 as a free update later this year in September for iPhone 6s and later.