Apple: Updates to iOS 15, iPadOS 15 & watchOS 8 in six days

Apple has announced the date for the general availability of updates to iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8: September 20, 2021, a Monday. The final “Golden Master” is to be made available to developers in the course of today. IOS 15 in particular was not free of criticism recently.

These iPhones get iOS 15

iOS 15 is supported on all iPhones from the iPhone 6s or on the 1st generation iPhone SE based on it and on the 7th generation iPod touch. The iPhone 6s with SoC Apple A9 appeared six years ago in September 2015.

These are the main innovations in iOS 15

Apple had already presented iOS 15 in detail at the virtual WWDC 2015 in June, there have been eight beta versions since then.

Apple's software solution to prevent the distribution and storage of child pornographic content on iPhones will not be active at the start. Possibly as a result of harsh criticism, too, but not only from civil rights activists, the group has postponed the introduction of this function to the end of 2021, beginning of 2022.

Significant innovations include the completely redesigned Apple Maps, the ability to communicate via FaceTime with users without an Apple device, films to be seen simultaneously, although separated from each other, and again a revised notification center that makes the many notifications on the home screen easier to handle should do.

Image comparison: SF Ferry Building (iOS 14) ⇔ SF Ferry Building (iOS 15)

With iOS 15, Apple is also introducing a focus mode, quasi profiles that define which notifications, apps and home screen arrangements are given to the user Time of day presented to be less distracting.

The new operating system with Live Text brings minor adjustments. Text captured by the camera on documents can be captured in the viewfinder, marked and transferred to other apps via copy and paste. Apple also recognizes phone numbers, addresses and similar information and gives quick access to the phone app or Apple Maps.

There are major changes for the Apple Wallet, which is supposed to replace more and more physical objects of everyday life. With iOS 14 it was a year ago car keys, iOS 15 also supports house keys for smart locks.

Apple Wallet House Key

Apple Wallet Hotel room key

Apple Wallet driver's license

In addition, at least in the USA, their implementation of an identity card and driver's license can also be stored, provided this is permitted and supported by the respective US state. This in turn makes it possible to only have to show the iPhone when flying within the USA at TSA checkpoints.

The manufacturer provides an overview of even more innovations in iOS 15 also online at Apple.com.

These iPads get iPadOS 15

iPadOS 15 appears for a number of older iPads, the oldest supported device is the iPad Air 2 from 2014.

These are the main innovations in iPadOS 15

IPadOS 15 was also presented in detail by Apple at WWDC 2021 in June. The main innovations that are not also included in iOS 15 include widgets for the home screen, which can be assigned even better thematically with apps and information, as well as more intuitive tools for operating the multi-tasking capabilities of the current iPads.

iPadOS 15: Homescreen with widgets (Image: Apple)

Notes with Quick Notes can be used more universally in iPadOS 15: They allow the user to create notes in any app and to come back there later. And after its debut on the iPhone in iOS 14, the Translate app is finding its way into iPadOS 15.

This Apple Watch will receive watchOS 8

Apple's watchOS 8 will be offered as an update for all of the company's smartwatches since the 2017 Apple Watch Series 3.

These are the main innovations in watchOS 8

Apple had already presented watchOS 8 in detail as part of the virtual WWDC 2015 in June, and there have been eight beta versions since then.

The new operating system supports ultra-broadband (with the U1 chip integrated since Series 6) for car keys, gets a new home app, offers new workouts and extends tracking while sleeping. There are also new watch faces and functions for messages and contacts. As with the iPhone, not all new software functions are available with every generation of the watch.

Ultra-broadband car key (Image: Apple)

record breathing rate while sleeping

With watchOS 8, sleep tracking has been expanded to include the recording of respiratory rate, after sleeping time, heart rate and blood oxygen levels were previously recorded. Apple uses the smartwatch's acceleration sensor for this.

New home app and intercom function

The home app has also been revised, which is supposed to give faster access to customized scenarios for certain moments in the smart home. Individual rooms can also be controlled directly. Smart doorbells with cameras offer a live view and users can use the clock as an intercom to send voice messages to the HomePod (mini) and other devices with HomeKit in defined rooms.

New workouts and mindfulness app

In addition, WatchOS 8 offers two new workouts and new breathing exercises for meditation in the in with Tai Chi and Pilates Mindfulness renamed breathing app.

Apple itself provides an overview of all the new features in iOS 15.