Here are the main new features of the iOS 16 mobile system, beta trial version

Earlier this week, Apple uploaded the first public trial version of its upcoming iOS mobile system 16 for iPhones.

On the menu, new features such as a customizable lock screen, better messaging, photo sharing on iCloud, editing messages once sent, the periodic payment function Apple Pay Later and many others.

Unlike the previous three trial (and paid) versions for developers, this public version of iOS 16 is available to anyone who wants to try it, free of charge. And if you’re in a rush to try it out, expect a few bugs here and there.

To those, you need to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program at this address and sign in with your Apple ID. Everything is explained in French.

Otherwise, for the vast majority of iPhone users on the planet, you can of course wait for the final version which will be ready this fall.

Configurable home screen, widgets

The iOS 16 update brings many new things to come like a new configurable home screen where widgets are the main feature. By long pressing on the lock screen, one can customize a style by choosing a new photo, font style, filter and depth effect.

According to reviews among those who have already installed iOS 16 beta, the depth effect seems to work less well if there are several people or objects in the photo. A detail that will certainly be settled in the final version this fall.

It will also be possible to display on the lock screen activities in progress depending on the open application; for example while jogging or waiting for your Uber taxi, etc. Or display the score of a match you are following in progress.

In addition, one will be able to arrange and alternate between several home screens depending on your mood or other factors. Finally, the Spotlight search box will be integrated into the home screen.

Sharing photos with iCloud Photo Library

The Photos application now has a function to share your photos stored on your iCloud account with other users such as friends or family members. This update adds the creation of locked folders for hidden photos and a duplicate removal function to save storage space.

Collaboration is in the spotlight in iOS 16. Apple will also let you easily share documents, slideshows, or Safari tab groups in Messages, so other people can collaborate on those files.

We can also quickly launch a SharePlay experience directly from the Messages application, without launching a FaceTime call. Additionally, the company will launch a collaborative app called Freeform later this year — on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura — where you can add your own notes, include photos, draw, and even FaceTime with someone directly from the desktop. ‘application.

Messages app

New to the Messages app, you’ll have the ability to edit a sent message (for up to 15 minutes), unsend, and quickly mark a message as unread by swiping it. iOS 16 will also let you recover deleted messages up to 30 days after they were deleted.

Email and Maps

The Apple giant adds smart recommendations to the Mail app’s search function. It will be possible to schedule and cancel the sending of emails.

The Maps app in iOS 16 will allow you to add multiple stops to your route and show you the public transport fares on the selected route.

The OS update will also bring security and privacy-focused features, like the ability to automatically skip CAPTCHA validations (image checkboxes), real-time security updates , a Safety Check feature to evade abusers, and PassKey support for logins without a password.

To counter spyware

Apple is previewing a groundbreaking security feature that provides specialized additional protection for users who may be exposed to highly targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.

Built into iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, Lockdown Mode provides extreme, optional protection for the very small number of users who face serious, targeted threats to their digital security.

Enabling Lockdown Mode in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura strengthens device defenses and severely limits certain features, greatly reducing the attack surface that could potentially be exploited by highly targeted spyware hackers.

At launch, lockdown mode includes the following protections:

• Messages: Most types of message attachments other than pictures are blocked. Some features, like link previews, are disabled.
• Web browsing: Certain complex web technologies, such as just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless the user opts a trusted site out of lockdown mode.
• Apple Services: Incoming service requests and invitations, including FaceTime calls, are blocked if the user has not previously sent a call or request to the initiator.
• Wired connections to a computer are blocked when iPhone is locked.
• Configuration profiles cannot be installed, and the device cannot enroll in mobile device management (MDM), when lockdown mode is enabled.

To conclude, this new lock mode will be reinforced each time a new protection is created. As part of the Apple Security Bounty program, an amount of up to 2 million US dollars will be offered to anyone who discovers a flaw in this lock mode.