iOS and iPadOS 16: The MacStories Overview

Summer is here so it is time to start the beta cycle of the next iOS release. Perhaps the most out-of-character thing I do is I do not run these betas. It is some combination of me deferring the fun until it is done and I can have it all, and not wanting my critical devices to not work when I need them. I still love to read in great detail about what is coming.

• Lock Screen improvements are nice. This will make all the Android people you know laugh since they've had this since, well, forever.
• Live Activities are intriguing. I could see using this for soccer matches to keep up-to-date.
• Focus mode is getting real-world learning folded back in. I want to love Focus Mode but it isn't there yet. I think it will get there, and the concept is good. It is just hard to execute.
• Messages getting even more powerful features. Messages is a dark horse for Apple, so much activity and tie-in there.
• Dictation might be getting to the point where it is time to learn how to use it.
• I’m truly excited about the improvements in Mail. That is one of my workhorse apps.
• Stage Manager on iPadOS could be huge. I'll need to use it, but it feels like the bridge to making iPadOS actually be able to leverage the incredible power of a modern iPad.

If you want even more details, see the the additional tidbits as well. It is pretty cool that iOS 16 will connect to a Nintendo Swith Pro Controller or Joycon!