That Apple tends to go more to its ball, that is evident. The American company has defended in recent years that its policy has not changed: build on what is built. This commendable philosophy has led him, many times, to be a second when it comes to introducing his novelties to the market. As every year, the WWDC developer conference is the chosen setting to present the great updates of its ecosystems. And, among them, highlights iOS 14 , the next big update of the operating system that moves the iPhone.

Widgets are here

This year will bring important changes, some aesthetic. Under the promise of better performance, iOS 14 will incorporate “widgets”, a feature that has been present on the Android platform for several years. To understand us: these are small applications that allow us to have certain information available . Apple will now flip the tortilla to offer more customization.

They can be set with different sizes on any page of the home screen, so users can adjust them as they wish. To make it more accessible, they can be stacked using a function called “Smart Stack” to display data such as time, location or activity. The areas that will adapt to this visualization will be tools of productivity, travel, sports , entertainment. Thus, well organized, it will be possible to consult more quickly.

Greater organization

Another of the ideas to achieve this goal will be the so-called «App Library», a new space that will automatically organize all the «apps» of the user in a simple and easy-to-explore view that intelligently shows those that may be useful in each moment. Users will be able to choose how many home screen pages they want to easily show and hide for quick access. The idea is to make it automatic .

Fewer interruptions

One of the iOS “problems” is that when the Siri digital assistant is invoked or phone calls are made, the iPhone screen is disabled for a few seconds. It is not that it is problematic but it is a nuisance if something is being done at that moment. From now on, interactions with Siri, incoming calls and FaceTime will present a new more discreet and minimalist design so that the user does not interrupt what he is doing. Thanks to in-picture imaging technology support, notifications will be overlaid for users.

Improved Clips, the video application

Own applications will also improve some aspects. One of the new features of iOS 14 will be found in Clips, one for creating and sharing fun videos with text, effects and images. They will represent a specific part of an application and are intended to be discovered when they are needed.

The goal is for them to be associated with a product or a company and charge within seconds to carry out a specific task, such as renting a motorcycle, buying a coffee or extending the parking meter’s hours. Discovering and accessing them promises to be very easy: it will be enough to scan a new code from App Clips or through the NFC tags and QR codes or share them from Messages or the Safari browser, always with the same security and privacy that is expected of « apps ».

Post conversations in Messages

The Messages application is very useful and complete between iPhone devices, although it is true that those who are already used to using other messaging tools such as WhatsApp may not be back. The service will incorporate some interesting news. One of them will be the possibility to post conversations at the top of the message list, keep abreast of the most animated threads with direct mentions and responses, and give an even more personal touch to conversations by adding a photo or an emoji like group image.

New «Memojis»

Apple will once again bet on the “memojis”, some personalized visual resources that resemble the user. In iOS 14 new, more inclusive and diverse designs will be added with additional hairstyles, hats, face accessories. The idea is to offer a greater collection of details to encourage users to use it.

Split screen

It is one of the most interesting features that was already present on its iPad counterpart. From now on, iPhone users will be able to use the “PiP” (“Picture to picture”) option, among other things, to place two videos in one space each on the screen. Thus, for example, the video will continue to be visible from a small box that can be moved according to the part of the screen you need to see.

Maps want to rival Google

The Apple Maps application has not curdled among users. Although it has improved in recent years, the anchor effect produced by its unsuccessful debut may not have encouraged consumers to use it. It wants to see itself as the most solvent alternative to Google Maps. Now, the company returns to the charge with some improvements such as the possibility of consulting more sustainable journeys and new guides in the application promise to facilitate navigation and exploration with new indications for cyclists, routes for electric vehicles and selected guides.

The indications for cyclists will now take into account the unevenness , street traffic and the presence of flights of stairs along the way. Electric vehicle routes add stops throughout the trip based on the vehicle’s current charge level and charger types. The guides will offer a list of attractions to visit in a city created from a selection of reliable resources.

Promise of more transparency and control

The arrival of iOS 14 will come with the ever-vaunted promise of better privacy features, as well as a shift toward greater transparency and control. From now on, all “apps” will have to get user permission before tracking. In addition, the App Store product pages should display developer-submitted summaries of their privacy practices in a simple and easy-to-understand format. In addition, users will be able to update their accounts to use Apple login, choose whether they want to share their approximate location instead of their exact location by granting access permissions, and even see how an app uses the camera and the microphone with greater transparency.

The Safari browser will now offer a privacy report to easily see what cross-website tracking activities have been blocked, in addition to monitoring strong passwords to detect saved passwords that may have been affected by a leak of Integrated data and translation capabilities for entire web pages.

Possibility of translations

With iOS 14, iPhone users will be able to perform voice and real-time translations. The Translate service will be designed to translate conversations easily, offering fast and natural translation of voice and text in 11 languages . The use mode on the device allows you to experience all the features offline to translate text and voice privately.

Siri evolves

The voice assistant Siri will also experience an evolution. Among other improvements, it will help answer questions looking for information on the Internet and, from now on, it will allow sending audio messages. And what was said: every time you make a request, the screen will not appear completely black, preventing at that moment from having an interaction.

Access control

Apple wants to expand the options of its home device control ecosystem. Thus, the Casa app, which acts as a nerve center to match many equipment distributed in the home, promises to simplify home automation even more with new automation suggestions and expanded controls in the Control Center for faster access to accessories and environments. . Adaptive lighting for compatible lights will automatically adjust the color temperature throughout the day. And thanks to the device’s facial recognition, on-door speakerphones and compatible video cameras promise to be able to identify friends and family.

Here will also enter the possibility of using the iPhone as the access key of a compatible car. In case of having an electronic system adaptable to this ecosystem, users will be able to open and even start a vehicle. They can be easily shared through the Messages app and disabled remotely if the device goes missing. They will be available this year through NFC.

Switch AirPods between devices

Another interesting feature has to do with the AirPods wireless headphones. From now on, you can easily change the audio between devices with automatic exchange. Spatial audio with dynamic head position tracking will also deliver higher quality with the more advanced model, the AirPods Pro . By applying directional audio filters and subtly adjusting the frequencies each ear receives, sound can be directed to almost any point in a space for an immersive experience.