Apple has just released iOS 10, the next major OS designed for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. iOS 10 has been identified as the biggest iOS update ever, with specs ranging from an overhauled Lock screen interface to half a dozen new capabilities for the Messages application.
In addition to all the major updates, there are more minor but still significant updates that have been made to the OS to make it feel entirely new and great, among them individualized read receipts, a new Wake Alarm in the Clock app, the ability to hide stock apps and more, Mac Rumors reported.
Some of the most notable changes worth checking out are identified below:
Split-View Safari on iPad - On iPads that allows full Split-View multitasking, two Safari windows are now able to be opened side by side with side-by-side Mail composing also available on iPads.
Safari tabs - Safari now supports unlimited number of tabs.
Safari auto play - In iOS 10, Apple will allow videos without audio element to play automatically, which will be great for viewing video-format animated GIFs. Apple also has plans to automatically pause videos that do have an audio element, cutting down on pesky spam videos.
Hide stock apps - iOS 10 will make it possible to hide a wide range of stock apps from the Home screen, a spec that iOS users have long wanted. Deleted stock apps are not removed from the operating system and will not free up space, but they be invisible.
Among the apps that deleted are Calendar, Contacts, Compass, FaceTime, Home, iBooks, Find My Friends, iCloud Drive, Mail, Maps, iTunes Store, Music, News, Reminders, Stocks, Tips, Notes, Podcasts, Videos, Watch, Voice Memos and Weather.
Collaborative Notes- There are new collaborative features to be noted. Tapping on the new "Add People" icon in the app will let the users invite others to view and edit a note. All changes made by a user with access to the note will sync to other users.
iCloud Drive - the iCloud Drive app on iOS devices when used in conjunction with macOS Sierra, will now house all Mac files on either the desktop or the Documents folder for quick access anywhere.
Phone - Apple has made a new "CallKit" API that allows 3rd party VoIP apps like Skype to behave much like a standard phone call. There is also a new caller ID extension that can be used to screen phone calls for spam.
Copy and paste - There is a new continuity feature that enables copied content to sync across iOS and Mac devices. Users will be able to copy a link on an iPhone, for instance, and paste it on a Mac running device macOS Sierra.
Voicemail transcription - In iOS 10, incoming voicemail texts are translated to text and can be read instead of listened to.
Bedtime Alarm - With bedtime alarm, it is possible to set a regular sleep schedule to get reminders to let a user know when it is time to go to bed.
New Keyboard Sound - Keyboard sounds have been slightly changed. Backspace now has a distinctive sounds that are unique from other key press sounds, and there is a new sound for return, space, shift, and number/emoji shift. Also, there is a new general sound for all other key presses that is more of a muted popping-style sound.
Individual read receipts in Messages - Read receipts in the Messages app can be turned on or off on a per person or per conversation basis in iOS 10.
Music storage optimization - There are now options in the Settings app to optimize storage and remove songs that have not been listened to in a while. There are settings to limit music storage space to 16GB, 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB.
Game Center - Apple has removed the Game Center app from iOS 10, but the Game Center services continues to be available.
3D Touch app downloads - When downloading app updates on an iPhone, a 3D Touch on an app icon will allow a download to be paused. When downloading multiple items, it is also possible to choose to prioritize app downloads.
VPN - PPTP connections for VPNs are being eliminated in iOS 10 and macOS Sierra. Apple recommends using other, more secure VPN protocols instead, Apple reported.
New emoji - There are new emoji in iOS 10, developed to promote gender equality. Many professions and activity emoji that were previously limited to just one gender are now available with both male and female gender options. In addition, the emoji will have a new texture, Apple has replaced the "gun" emoji with a water gun. For now, many existing emoji have seen slight design tweaks.
Organ donor registration - The Medical ID part of the Health app now comes with an integration with Donate Life America to make it possible for users to register as organ donors in the U.S. The functionality was availed in the second beta version of iOS 10.
Lock sound - Apple developed a new sound that plays when the power button on the Phone is pressed to lock the phone, sounding similar to a door closing.
Apple tends to release patches quite soon after this major releases, so it would not be a surprise to see iOS 10.1 or iOS 10.01 before September is out.
Here is a video of iOS 10 hidden features: