Apple releases iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12

As expected, today is a big day for Apple in terms of software. It's officially releasing iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12.

After a few months in beta, iOS 12 is finally out for supported devices, going back all the way to the iPhone 5s from 2013.

It comes with a strong focus on performance, especially in how that relates to older devices like the iPhone 6. In some cases, app launches could get up to 70% faster, with the keyboard appearing in half the time as before. Additionally, when there is a lot going across the system, apps can launch up to twice as fast.

So this definitely has the potential to be a very important update for devices not launched in the past couple of years or so.

One new feature is Siri Shortcuts for iOS apps, through which Apple's virtual assistant now supports routines consisting on multiple actions. The new Shortcuts app lets you define your own routines, in order to streamline frequent tasks. Think of it like the iOS equivalent to IFTTT on Android.

Memoji are personalized Animoji, basically, that you can create and customize right within the Messages app. Screen Time lets you understand and take control of the time you spend interacting with your device. Do Not Disturb mode can now automatically end based on a specified time, location, or action.

You also get more options for managing notifications, and iOS notifications are finally grouped by app.

iOS 12 goes out today to the iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5, iPad 6, iPad mini 2 and later, and iPod touch 6th generation.

If you own an Apple Watch, you'll also be receiving watchOS 5 today. This comes with activity competitions to challenge your friends with, automatic workout detection, podcast saving, and a Walkie-Talkie app for one-to-one interactions with other Apple Watch users. New watch faces are bundled as well. You can earn points for every percent added to your activity rings each day. Yoga and hiking are new supported workout types.

You can talk to Siri by simply raising your wrist to your mouth and speaking your request into the watch for Series 3 and later. Like in iOS 12, notifications from the same app are automatically grouped together.

tvOS 12 is out for the 4th gen and 4K Apple TV models. It brings support for Dolby Atmos audio for movies, and new, more interactive aerial screensavers.

Source | Via