Apple iOS 9 Vs iOS 8.

Apple News is a major Flipboard rival – Image credit Apple

This was somewhat glossed over in the keynote, but is vital to many: iOS updates will be drastically shrinking their space requirements so users can get them quickly and more easily.

For example, Apple states that the free space required on an iOS device to upgrade to iOS 8 was a whopping 4.6GB. By contrast, upgrading to iOS 9 will require just 1.3GB.
Given Apple still sells 16GB iPhones, iPads and iPod touches (and even an 8GB iPhone 5C) this will be music to the ears of their owners. Apple has already been working on improving this, but iOS 9 takes a quantum leap forward.
Goodbye Newsstand, Hello News
Apple spent a great deal of time talking up ‘News’, its replacement for the unloved ‘Newsstand’ app which will launch in iOS 9. In a nutshell this is Apple’s version of Flipboard and it allows users to pick topics of interest and then receive curated and beautifully presented articles.
The former is a combination of both machine learning and real human researchers while the latter will allow for rich animations, consistent typography and detailed galleries.
News will initially be launched in the US, UK and Australia and Apple states a lot of major publications have signed up. That said it didn’t break down the revenue split or earnings potential for publications (no ads were visible in the demos) which will be crucial to add more partners over time.

Apple News initial partners – Image credit Apple

Whether Apple can break through where other similar services have plateaued remains to be seen. If so, expect Google to bid for Flipboard in 2016!
QuickType
Another iPad-centric feature, in iOS 9 QuickType will bring rich shortcuts to suggestion bar of the iOS virtual keyboard in landscape mode. This includes the likes of cut, copy, paste, adding attachments and more.
In addition a two finger touch on the keyboard makes it operate like a trackpad so you can scroll through a document, highlight text and so forth without having to move away from the keys. While scrolling was simple, the other functionality doesn’t appear overly intuitive and this looks like a feature power users will love and casual users will never know exists.

QuickType in iOS 9 – Image credit Apple

Revamped Notes
While typing gets an overhaul, Notes is now the meaty To Do list to match it. In iOS 9 Notes will support drawing, integrated links and previews from Safari, embedded images and a dedicated attachments view for simple panning and scanning of visual content.
As always, Notes will be synced across iCloud and be visible on any iOS or OS X device.

Notes in iOS 9 – Image credit Apple

HomeKit
With the first HomeKit devices surfacing, Apple is beefing up its Internet of Things platform and in iOS 9 HomeKit will add support for window shades, motion sensors and – interestingly – security systems.

For those who love living on the cutting edge, all HomeKit devices will also be accessible via iCloud so you will be able to ‘log into your home’ from a web browser and control anything from lighting to compatible appliances or even the front door.

Exciting as this is, users will need to be very careful with their iCloud passwords in such a scenario.

Smaller Tweaks
Healthkit – a minor, but very welcome and overdue change in iOS 9 will see it add logging for hydration and menstrual cycles.
CarPlay – iOS 9 enables Apple’s in-car platform to provide wireless pairing so your iPhone need never leave your pocket/iPad never leave your bag.
Apple Wallet – the new name for Apple Passbook, will now be the central hub for passes, tickets, loyalty cards and support reward points/store-specific offers.
Photos - a new iPad-esque thumbnail bar will appear when swiping between photos, making it easier to navigate.

Apple Wallet in iOS 9 – - Image credit Apple

Love For Older Devices
Breaking from tradition, Apple has announced that iOS 9 will be made available for every device that supports iOS 8. Typically Apple cuts off a generation of hardware with each new generation of software and it suggests the company is putting its money where its mouth is on the claims iOS 9 will be faster and more efficient.
So to recap: iOS 9 will be available for the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad mini, iPod touch 5th and any newer devices.
Early iOS 9 Access For All
Given the numerous bug fixes in iOS 8, the good news for those desperate to get iOS 9 as soon as possible is Apple will be making the first beta available in July… and not only for developers.
An iOS 9 public beta will also be made available at the same time (from beta.apple.com) so anyone interested can hop aboard. As with any beta software, this comes with obvious bug warnings, but opens up an exciting new avenue for users and much wider testing pool for Apple ahead of official releases.

iOS 9 still has plenty more to come- Image credit Apple

Initial iOS 9 Feelings
I’ll be dealing with the best/worst aspects of iOS 9 and its major omissions in separate posts , but my overriding feeling from Apple’s new OS is one of polish and refinement.
Apple is clearly focused on making iOS 9 as fast, light and efficient as possible to be a rock solid base for the company’s jump into IoT, streaming services (hello Apple Music) and bridging the gap to OS X with powerful multitasking. Tim Cook stressed many users now see iPads as their main computer and the extra love iOS 9 gives to the iPad shows Cook has interest in capitalising on that and pulling market share away from cheap PCs.
And if you’re disappointed with what you’ve seen from iOS 9 so far, don’t be. I expect plenty more surprises still to emerge from iOS 9 before it is formally released. Why? Well the company was never going to discuss the upcoming iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, so any iOS 9 aspects central to them were always going to remain on the cutting room floor tonight (I’m looking at you Force Touch).
As such I’m convinced the best and most exciting aspects to iOS 9 still lie ahead…


forbes.