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iOS 15: New features, compatibility, release date

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iOS 15 guide

Apple has officially taken the wraps off iOS 15, the next version of its operating system for iPhone users. The company says it designed iOS 15 with four different things in mind. The update was presented by Apple VP Craig Federighi. Here’s what’s new.

FaceTime updates:

iOS 15 includes a handful of new features for FaceTime, including new features to help it compete with services like Zoom.

  • Spatial Audio support
  • Grid view for videos
  • Portrait mode for videos
  • FaceTime links
  • Join FaceTime calls from the web on Android and Windows
  • SharePlay for sharing content during FaceTime, including screen sharing, music, and more

SharePlay can work with third-party apps and streaming services using an API available to developers. Apple is already working with Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, TikTok, NBA, Twitch, and more.

Messages

Apple has also announced new features for Messages, including new ways to easily access content that people send you. Shared Stacks will bring over content from Messages to the News app and Photos app.

Notifications

  • Notification summary can be delivered anytime you choose.
  • When you enable Do Not Disturb, your status will be shown to other people via the Messages app
  • Notification design has been revamped with larger icons for improved glanceability
  • You can set different “Focus” statuses that change your Home Screen, notification preferences, and more.

Photos

  • The Photos app now includes a new OCR feature for recognizing text. Apple says the feature uses AI to detect text images automatically.
  • Photos also now appear in Spotlight search.
  • New interactive memories feature.

Wallet

  • Apple Pay VP Jennifer Bailey is here to talk us through new features in the Wallet app.
  • iOS 15 includes new keys for your home and work in the Wallet app, as well as automatic hotel keys, Hyatt to roll out Apple Wallet support to hotels later this year.
  • Identify cards are coming to Apple Wallet later this year, encrypted and safely stored in the Secure Enclave.

Weather

  • The Weather app has been redesigned with a ton of new data.
  • Layout design of the Weather app changes based on the weather in your current location.

Maps

  • New Apple Maps interface coming to Spain and Portugal today and to Australia and Italy later this year.
  • A variety of design updates for Apple Maps to bring a ton more details for cities in commercial districts, buildings, and more.
  • New Nearby Transit features for Apple Maps as well, notifications for when to disembark.

Devices compatible with iOS 15

Here’s the full list with every iPhone and iPod touch model supported by iOS 15:

  • iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE (1st gen)
  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS and XS Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (2nd gen)
  • iPod touch (7th gen)

Hands-on with iOS 15

Release date

iOS 15 is available now to developers and public beta users. It will be released to the general public in the fall.

This concept visualizes what iOS 17 could look like, with a focus on refinement

iOS 16 was released back in September of 2022. It brought plenty of visual changes to the iPhone and also changed how we interact with it, especially the lock screen. This update was all about personalization and customization. It brought features like lock screen customizations, widgets, the ability to edit & undo messages, and much more. So what could Apple possibly have in store for iOS 17? Parker Ortolani is back at it again with some new concepts and renders of what the future of iOS could look like, and it seems like refinement is the name of the game.

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Apple letting users stay on iOS 15.7 with security updates before upgrading to iOS 16

Apple letting users stay on iOS 15.7 with security updates before upgrading to iOS 16

Apple on Monday finally released iOS 16 to the public after months of beta testing. While some users have waited long for the new lock screen and other new features coming with the update, some may prefer to wait a little longer before installing iOS 16. This is why Apple is letting users stay on iOS 15, while still getting security updates before upgrading to iOS 16.

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iOS 15.6.1 now available with bug fixes and performance improvements

Apple stops signing iOS 15.6.1, but you can still downgrade from iOS 16

As iOS 16 beta testing continues ahead a public release next month, Apple is still refining iOS 15. The company has now released iOS 15.6.1. The update includes bug fixes and performance improvements, and Apple has not provided any more specific information on the exact changes.

Update: Here are the full details on the major security fixes included in iOS 15.6.1.

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First jailbreak tool for iPhone and iPad running iOS 15 reportedly coming soon

First jailbreak tool for iPhone and iPad running iOS 15 reportedly coming soon

Back in the days of iOS 13, a group of hackers found an “unpatchable” exploit that enabled permanent jailbreak on iPhone and iPad based on all A-series chips up to the A11 Bionic. In 2021, another jailbreak tool brought support for newer devices like iPhone 12 running iOS 14. Now it seems that we’re getting close to the first iOS 15 compatible jailbreak tool.

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iOS 15.6 beta 4 now available to developers and public testers

iPhone iOS 15.6

Update: iOS 15.6 beta 4, alongside tvOS 15.6 beta 4 and watchOS 8.7 beta 4, are now available to public testers as well.

Apple is releasing iOS 15.6 beta 4 to developers a couple of weeks after its third beta. This update comes a week after Apple also seeded the second beta of iOS 16, the next milestone of the company’s operating system for the iPhone. Apple is also making available the fourth beta of iPadOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7, and tvOS 15.6.

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iOS 15.6 beta 3 now available to developers and public testers

iPhone iOS 15.6

Update: A day after seeding iOS 15.6 beta 3 to developers, Apple is now releasing it to public testers as well. The same is worth for tvOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7, and macOS 12.5.

Remember iOS 15.6? Well, beta 3 is now available to developers. This update comes 14 days after Apple seeded the second beta of this upcoming operating system to all public testers. The company is also making available the third beta of tvOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7, and macOS 12.5.

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Apple releases iOS 15.6 beta 2 ahead of iOS 16 reveal next week

iPhone iOS 15.6

Update: iOS 15.6 beta 2 – as well as the other beta versions of iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS – now available to public beta testers.

Thirteen days after releasing the first beta of iOS 15.6, Apple is making available the second test version to all developers. Alongside that, the company is also seeding beta 2 of watchOS 8.7, tvOS 15.6, and macOS 12.5.

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Tips for enhancing the FaceTime call experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

facetime-tips

With last year’s iOS 15 release and macOS Monterey comes new features to help you better connect with others. Facetime is now better than ever, especially on newer Apple devices. Here are some new modes you can use to help you make the most of your Facetime calls on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Also, don’t forget to share some of your favorite Facetime tips with us too.

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