The iOS 14 continues to get more tweaks from Apple in an attempt to make the software better and handle tasks much more easily.
The recent update to iOS 14.4 finally brings the Apple’s Fitness Plus application for Apple Watch owners. There is also the inclusion of a new Unity watch face which is meant to commemorate the Black History Month as well as a number of important security fixes to make iPhones much more secured.
With this update, iPhone users are now getting the ProRaw photos feature which was launched alongside the iPhone 12 series a few months ago.
Since the iOS 14, Apple had been able to make tweaks to the software allowing it to utilize the widget system which is popularized by the rival Android OS.
Users can easily customize their home screen with widgets rather than the boring user interface in the older iOS versions. There is also a new Scribble feature in the iPadOS update which let users write with the Apple Pencil on any text field. The written text will then be converted to text which mean you wouldn’t have to always bring up the keyboard to type every time.
But there are even some pretty cool things about the iOS 14.4 that you should know about. Below are our
1. New homescreen
Since the iOS 14, there have been the introduction of the app drawer-like feature which Apple calls the App Library.
The essence of this feature is to declutter the home screen of innumerable applications much like Android OS.
This also mean you’re able to place widgets on the home screen and for the first time, your iPhone’s home screen can be different from that of your buddy because of this update. You might be right to think Apple copied Google’s Android which had this feature since it’s earliest days.
2. You can make custom stack widget
Still on the home screen and widgets, there is a new feature which allow you to actually create your own custom stack of widgets rather than getting restricted with the default Smart Stack widget from Apple.
You can create your own exactly how you’ll create an app folder but deciding on what to include is left for you tot decide like seriously.
3. Change the default app icon
You might be forgiven to think this is another copied Android feature whereby you’re able to create your own app icons through the Shortcuts app feature.
The reason behind this is just to give users that sense of ownership whereby they can actually customize the look an feel of their own device rather than the uniform UI that iOS devices had sport for many yeas.
Speaking of the icon modifications, you can just swap out your Apple Mail app icon to your own custom icon. It might still be nice if the future iOS can allow icon pack and launchers just like Android OS, it will be a great thing.
4. What is App Clips
This is one of the sickest feature on the latest iOS 14.4 and that’s the ability to actually use applications without actually installing them. This will indeed save you space and get to use an app before you finally download it on your device.
The App Clips is like a miniature app which show you a portion of what the full app can do. Let’s say Yelp App Clip, this show you a business hours and the menu for a specific restaurant and that’s it.
There is even more… open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone, search for Panera Bread, tap on a location and then select Order Food. Pretty cool, right? After using an App Clip, you can access it again in the App Library in the recently added folder.
5. ProRaw
This feature has taken the new iPhone 12 series to the next level – especially the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
The release of iOS 14.3 adds Apple’s ProRaw photo format, which allows you to take photos using the “raw” photography format, and make changes to it without any image degradation, as is the case when the photo is converted to a JPG (the standard for Apple’s camera app).
6. Apple Fitness Plus
Due to the fact that many physical gyms have been closed down thanks to the novel coronavirus but Apple doesn’t want you to lose shape which is why the company is introducing the Fitness Plus which is built directly into the iPhone, iPad and the Apple TV which can be connected to the Apple Watch.
The subscription-based service is a guided video workouts which are released weekly for all different fitness levels.
7. Time to take a walk
The combination of the Apple WatchOS 7.3 and the new iOS 14.4 makes workout much more interesting thanks to the Time to Walk feature.
Apple has enlisted celebrities who go on a virtual walk with you, telling stories that are meant to be inspiring, intertwined with personal music choices.
8. Finally Picture-in-Picture
This feature was released with the iOS 14 back in 2020. The feature, just like Android let you watch videos without necessarily sticking to your video player application.
The iPad has had this feature for a couple of years now, so it’s nice to see the iPhone get it as well. When you start watching a video you only need to leave the app and go back to the home screen to trigger PiP. There are some apps, like YouTube, that don’t support the feature.
You can view a list of all the apps installed on your phone that support it by going to Settings > General > Picture in Picture. If you want to learn more about how to watch YouTube videos in Picture-in-Picture on your desktop, here’s how.
9. Extra step to deleting an app
There is an extra-step with the new App library when it comes to deleting an application from your iPhone. Unlike those days when you just long press an app and wait until it starts wobbling, the new extra step makes it a bit confusing – hopefully this can be fixed by the next update.
10. No more compulsory-default apps
Eventualluy, you’re no longer restricted to the default Apple apps such as Safari browser and or the Mail app for example as your base applications because these apps can be swapped out for your own preferred choice.
Sorry, but this is still limited to both the browser and email application. Let’s hope the next update, Apple might increase the number of default apps that can be swapped out such a the Apple Maps for example.
11. Spatial feature for AirPods Pro
The iPhone and iPad aren’t the only devices that received a big update. Apple’s AirPods Pro also got a small firmware update that added a new feature called Spatial Audio.
To enjoy this new feature, you’ll need to upgrade to the current iOS 14.4 either on your iPhone or iPad. The update allows your AirPods pro to auto adjust based on the locations of your head.
12. The iPad looks more like a Mac
iPadOS 14 includes several new features and enhancements that bring its interface closer to looking and working like a Mac. Or is it the Mac that’s starting to look like an iPad with MacOS Big Sur?
13. New privacy features
Apple is still much more privacy-focused and that is the case with the new iOS 14.4. There are new location sharing settings which limit whether an app sees personal information such as your location.
There is also a new notification dot will tell users an app is using your phone’s camera or mic so you don’t have to be scared about being monitored by someone.