What's in store with Apple's new iOS 14 and when users can expect it

A final release for the software is expected in mid-September, which will probably coincide with Apple announcing new iPhones

Apple announced its newest iPhone operating system, iOS 14, at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday with a slew of new features for better app management and easier navigation for cyclists and electric vehicles.

Here, The National takes a look at iOS 14 and what Apple users can expect from the Cupertino-based company's latest software update.

App Library for better management

The operating system includes a new feature called App Library that automatically manages all of a user’s apps and organises them into a single view that is easy to access. This new space will be located at the end of its home screen pages.

Users can choose how many home screen pages to display and also hide them for quicker access to the App Library.

Making navigation easier

Apple Maps has added new features such as cycling directions, EV routing and curated guides. Cycling directions also take into account elevation, how busy a street is and whether there are stairs along the route.

EV users can add their vehicle details to their iPhone and Maps will help them to keep track of things such as current vehicle charge and compatible charging stations on the route of their destination. Guides, meanwhile, will provide a list of interesting places to visit in a city, created by a selection of trusted resources.

Apple rolled out the new map data to the US market last year and will be adding more countries by the end of this year.

Tracking other devices

With iOS 14, Apple will add support for finding third-party products with the new Find My network accessory programme. This will allow customers to use the Find My app to locate important items, including those without internet connectivity, in addition to their Apple devices. The company said user privacy remains central, with built-in end-to-end encryption of the app.

Tracking accessory producers can sign up to use this technology, allowing Apple’s Find My app to monitor their products.

Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, while delivering the keynote address at WWDC on Monday. Reuters

Is iOS 14 just a refinement?

Some industry analysts said iOS 14 has nothing extraordinary to offer to iPhone fans.

"It's more of a refinement than a major update," Abbas Ali, managing editor of TechRadar Middle East, told The National.

“Just like the recent [Google] Android 11 that copied a few features from iOS … iOS is copying Android in certain areas.”

When will iOS 14 be available?

The beta (or test) version of iOS 14 is currently available to app developers. Another test version will be rolled out to the public next month – for iPhone users who want to try out the latest software and help Apple work out any bugs before the full version is available to everyone.

A full release is expected in mid-September, which will probably be around the time Apple announces its new iPhone range. Users can access the new operating system as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later models. Apple devices released in late 2020 will come with iOS 14 pre-installed.