Every year, when a new version of iOS comes out and after installing the update, every iPhone user (at least the most geeky ones) spends the first few minutes frantically browsing through the applications looking for new features in the configuration menus, looking for interesting functions and maybe even those little hidden changes that most people don't notice. iOS 13 is a mix of all this, with new features that dramatically change the applications used everyday, a new Photo application and then more subtle changes, just as important.
The iOS 13 update, available today, can be downloaded to the iPhone directly from the Settings menu and can be installed on iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and also for the seventh generation iPod Touch. The iPhone 5S (damage) and iPhone 6 will no longer be updated.
Regarding the iPad, however, Apple has released a new operating system as an update for the iOS 12, called iPadOS.
Dark mode
The most important novelty of this new version is the Dark mode. The "Dark mode" setting converts all iPhone applications and screens to a dark gray background, which makes the screen easier to read at night and less annoying for the eyes. When Dark mode is activated, Apple applications such as Maps, Messages and Mail switch to a darker color combination with a black background, the backlight fades and the translucent background behind notifications and application folders changes color.
You can use the dark mode to turnit on automatically at a specific time, or you can turnit on and off manually from the control center or settings, or even with a voice message to Siri.
Dark mode isalso a way to save battery power and make it last longer if you have an iPhone with an OLED display like the iPhone X or XS.
Fast writing
Almost ten years after Android, you can nowwrite on the iPhone keyboard by sliding your finger over the letters instead of touching them individually, which is very useful when you write a message with one hand.
Texts election has also become easier using your finger, you can select a word with a double tap, select a sentence with a triple tap and a paragraph with 4 taps.
Find my iPhone combined with Find Friends
Apple's new "Find..." application combines "Find My Friends" and "Find My iPhone" in a single interface. The application also makes it easier to locate lost devices because, in addition to searching via wifi, it uses the Bluetooth of any other device with the iOS 13 nearby to help locate the lost device. As more and more people switch to iOS 13, the signal from each device will help to streng then the network for everyone (using Bluetooth). The device search feature also works to find the iPhone that is not connected to the Internet.
This new version also renews the functionality of location-based services by preventing applications fromaccessingautomatic location monitoring immediatelyafter installation. You willstillbeprompted to allow an application to belocalized. The "Allowwhileusing the application" option isused to grantaccess to the location onlywhile the application is in use.
Updating the photo application
The iOS 13 brings a big update to the Photo application: photos are now organized in years, months and days and thereisalso an "all photos" view. This change can be a bit confusing at first, but it makes the application more intuitive to use. In the "months" and "days" view, photos are grouped in chronological order and by events, to make it easier to find photos taken during trips and parties. In the folder that shows everything else, there are scanned screen shots, document photos, duplicates and screen shots.
The new Photo application makes photo editing much easier, with editing commands that are easier to find and use. iOS 13 also adds new editingtools for adjusting shake, white balance, sharpness, definition, noise reduction and thumbnail, and for adjusting the intensity of filters.
Video editing tools allow you to adjust color correction, rotate recorded movies, crop, change perspective and more, eliminating the need to download other applications.
There is also a new black and white portrait mode style and improved separation of small details from the foreground from the background.
Downloading files with Safari
Using Safari to open websites, when you find a download link, you can download the file. The "Download" button allows you to check and open all downloaded files. By default, downloaded files will be located in the Download folder of iCloud Drive. You can save them to the local memory of your iPhone by going to Settings > Safari > Download and selecting "To my iPhone".
Safari now allows you to share entire web pages as PDFs or web archives.
Another feature of Safari in iOS 13 is that it allows you to press and hold down the scroll bar for a long time to quickly scroll through the web page.
By holding down a link or image on a website, you can then preview the linked web page, open it in a new tab or window, copy and share the link or image.
In Safari, you can automatically close inactive tabs by choosing in the settings to close themafter a day, week or month.
Apple Card Enhancements
The Maps application is greatly enhanced in iOS 13 with the integration of the "Look Around" photo mapping service, similar to Google Mapswith Street View. Whenavailable, you can tap the binocularsicon to enter immersive mode. The Maps application now has a Favourites section whereyou can save a place to quicklyfindit. You can also use the Collections feature to select places to visit.
New reminder application
The Promemoria application in iOS 13 iscompletelyrenewedwithgroupedlists, each of which can contain secondary activities and activities with attachments. One of the best features of the new reminder application is the suggestion of dates for the activities, allowingyou to create reminders more quickly.
Ability to listen to the same thing with two pairs of AirPods from the same iPhone.
Ability to mute calls from unknown numbers.
Intelligent battery charging - an option available in the settings to slow down battery deterioration. When charging at night, the iPhone charges up to 80%, then slows down to 100% just before waking up.
Enhanced privacy security by preventing applications from capturing personal data without authorization and accessing features such as Bluetooth or location detection automatically and silently.
In the Control Center, you can force a tap on the WiFi or Bluetooth icon to select the network or device you want to connect to. WiFi and Bluetooth cannot yet becompletely disabled from the control center.