Apple iOS 9: expect slicker Siri, improved multitasking

Brace yourself: iOS 9 is coming. A few weeks remain before the final version of Apple’s software will be made available for general download, but with the beta programme running, everyone is talking about the changes being made.

iOS 7 was the version that drastically changed the look of Apple's mobile software, but iOS 9 marks the first time Apple has invited the public to test a full release ahead of its general launch.

The company brought out the public beta system for iOS 8.3 and has continued to offer early adopters the chance to get the updates ahead of schedule.

When it finally launches some time in the autumn, iOS 9 will go up against Android M and Windows 10 Mobile, which launches on July 29th.

Android M, unveiled at Google’s I/O conference earlier this year, is set to be launched on a new Nexus handset later this year, probably about the same time as iOS9, before rolling out other compatible handsets.

Apple’s newest software is essentially a refinement of iOS 7 and iOS 8, rather than the complete overhaul that’s gone before, but it concentrates on adding a few things that were always missing from the mobile operating system.

Depending on what device you use, iOS 9 will bring you a host of new features. Multitasking, sadly, is iPad only, and even then only for the iPad Air, Mini 2 and above, but a revamped version of Notes, a more useful Siri and new transit features for Maps will be shared across iPhones from the 4S and above, and the iPad Mini and iPad 2 and above.

Many of the new features in iOS were announced in June at Apple’s developer conference. But with the beta version, tweaks are appearing all the time.

Based on the current beta software – these features may change before Apple officially launches iOS 9 later in the year – here’s a bit of what to expect.

Siri

Siri is one of those things everyone got excited about, but fewer use consistently. A strawpoll of iPhone users at The Irish Times revealed only one person who occasionally called on Apple's digital assistant to create their appointments or messages. Someone is using it, though; according to Apple at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Siri gets almost one billion requests a week. There were no figures on how many of those were marriage proposals, requests for Siri to tell them a joke, or simply repeated efforts to get Siri to do what you wanted in the first place.

But that could be about to change. Siri has become more accurate and faster, according to Apple, by up to 40 per cent, if the figures are to be believed. With iOS 9, it will also get a lot more useful.

Siri is smarter, allowing you to search for photographs from a specific event, for example, or to set more useful reminders. And it’s also behind a better Spotlight search for the system, giving users more options as they start to search and even beforehand, with the search screen including things like your most recent contacts, suggested apps and local news. If you’re a frequent Facebooker, this will make life easier.

Your iPhone with iOS 9 will also be a bit more proactive. If you have a specific playlist for running in the morning, the system will call it up as soon as you plug your headphones in. For every person who sees that as one step closer to Skynet, another sees it as a useful feature that makes their day easier. We're wavering between the two.

Multitasking

Available only for later iPad models and the iPad Mini, multitasking on iOS 9 throws more than a nod to Windows 8.

It can be done in a few different ways. Sliding over allows you to send a text, browse the web or reply to a Tweet without leaving your original app. The second app slides in from the side and goes away when you’re done. The split view is more like Windows 8; you can open two apps side by side and work on them alternately. It’s handy for sending emails while researching online, or working on a note while checking through emails. The final option is picture-in-picture, which puts your Facetime call or video in a small window at the touch of a button so you can keep working or reading while the video plays. The latest beta adds picture-in-picture for podcasts.

New shortcuts make it easy to switch between apps or bring up search, and text can be more easily selected by moving two fingers over the screen . There is also a new shortcut bar for formatting text, for example.

Notes

Notes, as we saw at the Worldwide Developers Conference, has had a serious overhaul. Instead of the slightly flat text application, it’s now capable of including everything from handwritten notes to images. You can also turn things into checklists within individual notes. You can add maps to notes, or share things from Safari directly to a new memo. It’s a good job, and Notes may find a new lease of life on this iPhone as a result.

Mail

Apple’s native Mail app hasn’t been given a drastic overhaul in iOS9, despite the fact it hasn’t changed much over the years. A few things could make your life a little easier, like adding attachments, for example. Previously, you couldn’t add an attachment, unless it was a photo or video, as you were writing an email. Instead, you had to share it from within the app you created it in. But in iOS 9, documents and other attachments are treated the same way as images and video: one long press and a menu pops up to allow you to attach a file to your email. Much more convenient.

Home Sharing

Guess what's back? Home Sharing. Remember when Apple released the iOS 8.4 update that gave us Apple Music? Well, Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away. And then it giveth back again. Home Sharing suddenly disappeared when the 8.4 update was installed, meaning you couldn't share your iTunes media library to your home computer. The complaints were loud, especially from those who weren't planning on using Apple Music. But it turns out Taylor Swift isn't the only person Apple listens to; the newest version of the iOS 9 beta brings back Home Sharing, which we're all very pleased to see.

Handoff’s user interface has been tweaked too, which is a small but welcome move.

Apple News

Apple has come up with its own news app, which is more than a little reminiscent of Flipboard. Users will be able to create their own magazine with articles pulled from various sources. It’s your news but presented a bit more imaginatively, and it’s built into iOS, which mean you don’t have to download an extra app.

Move to iOS

If all that isn’t enough to tempt Android users to change over to iOS, Apple has included another new app to smooth the way: Move to iOS. The app wirelessly moves all your content from your Android phone to your new iPhone, making the process as painless as possible.