Skip to main content

Hands-on: iOS 10 iPhone and iPad tidbits

Developer previews of iOS 10 are live now and we’re starting to go hands-on with the next big release. Below we’re collecting tidbits of changes that we’re discovering in iOS 10 for iPhone and iPad.

Catch up on an overview of iOS 10’s new features and see which devices are supported, plus see all the features and developer tools Apple didn’t detail on stage here. Then check out our running list of small changes and tweaks on iOS 10 below:

  • New Swift Playgrounds app is already on beta 1
  • Many stock apps can now be deleted (but not all)
  • Categories tab in App Store returns as promised last week
  • App switcher has a tile for Home screen

  • Animations are tweaked (and not totally smooth yet on beta 1)
  • New Siri icon in Settings
  • Widgets no longer appear in Notification Center (ugh!), moved to Spotlight (page 0)

  • New Face Gallery section in Apple Watch app

  • If you delete an app like FaceTime, you can still start a FaceTime call using Siri or answer one you receive…
  • AirPlay from Control Center now separates audio and video
  • App Store super buggy (good reason to wait on installing)
  • Two wallpapers for Home app:
  • New keyboard click sound (I keep this turned off)

  • Music app now supports Split View
  • Setup process now supports landscape
  • Apple’s Airport Utility app is showing up as an App Store ad now when searching within the App Store

  • A multitude of new Spotlight widgets are available; Calendar: Up Next, Phone: Favorites, Mail: Mail, Maps: Maps Destinations, Maps: Maps Nearby, Maps: Maps Transit, Music, Notes, Photos Memories, Tips.
  • Siri App Suggestions is now available as an optional Spotlight Widget, and Apple News is new replacing Spotlight’s Proactive News
  • Health app has seen some massive UI/UX upgrades. Better explaining what each area does and includes a video at the top of each major section (except currently tapping video does nothing for me)
  • Users with 3D Touch devices can now force touch on the Flashlight icon within the Control Center to control three different levels of intensity
  • When an app that doesn’t currently exist on the device needs to be download, iOS now prompts the user and can take them to the App Store
  • Mail now recognizes messages from mailing lists and offers unsubscribe option

  • You can now add phone and message favorites to your Favorites list

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.