iOS 9 in public beta and coming this fall

Apple had recently announced the latest update to iOS, iOS 9. In June, developers were able to get hold of it for testing and development. In early July, public beta user testing had been launched (available to its public beta users) and is currently underway and the final version of iOS 9 is slated to be publicly available come fall 2015. This update boasts improved stability, reduced update download size (from iOS 8’s 4.58GB down to iOS 9’s 1.3GB) and legacy compatibility with older devices (see the list below). You may wish to know that the 4-digit PIN for locking the device will be replaced with 6-digit PIN.

While iOS 8.4 was launched with Apple Music (with 3 months of trial free-of-charge), iOS 9 brings along a smarter Siri, includes public transit directions in Apple’s Maps, promises enhanced multitasking and boasts new built-in apps (such as the News app). I am currently part of the public beta user testing, and so far, iOS 9’s pretty stable. One new feature was the “low-power” mode which is designed to extend your device’s battery life even further beyond the regular fine-tuning for optimising battery life. When low-power mode is activated, you see a yellow color battery icon on your top-right of the screen.

Traditionally, iPhone users would have to manually tweak settings in order to extend battery life. The new low power mode adjusts settings you didn’t even know you had, such as blocking applications from consuming/loading data in the background, stops the Mail app from receiving new messages (one of the more power hungry transfer), slows down the processor, and turns off some screen animations. For most part of your regular workflow, you will still be able to use it as per normal.

For current users of Android, there is a “Move to iOS” app to wirelessly switch from your Android device to your new iOS device. It securely transfers your contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, wallpaper, and DRM-free books. And it will help you rebuild your app library, too. Any free apps you have used in Android, such as Facebook and Twitter will be suggested for download from the App Store. Your paid Android apps are added to your iTunes Wish List (although I suspect that you probably will need to pay for these apps again from Apple’s Apps store since your profile/purchases on Android will not be “re-usable”.

In case you are curious, the following devices will be compatible with iOS 9:

1. iPhone
2. iPhone 4s
3. iPhone 5
4. iPhone 5c
5. iPhone 5s
6. iPhone 6
7. iPhone 6 Plus
8. iPad
9. iPad Air 2
10. iPad Air
11. iPad 2
12. iPad 3rd generation
13. iPad 4th generation
14. iPad mini 3
15. iPad mini 2
16. iPad mini
17. iPod
18. iPod touch 5th generation