iOS 12 features list: What to look forward to in the new iPhone update

The new iPhone software upgrade is available now 
Apple says iOS 12 update means the iPhone camera will launch up to 70 per cent faster
Pexels / Pixabay
Amelia Heathman18 September 2018

September is always an exciting time for Apple fans because it means new products.

But for those not looking to upgrade their iPhone or MacBook, there is always the promise of new software to improve your current devices.

Apple's new smartphone software iOS 12 is available to download now.

Here’s five things to look forward to in the upgrade.

Five things to look forward to in iOS 12

1. Improved performance

The real kicker with iOS 12, as with most new software, is that it will make your iPhone and iPad faster and more responsive.

Apple says camera launches in iOS 12 are up to 70 per cent faster, the keyboard appears 50 per cent faster and typing is more responsive too.

iOS12 will be available for all phones from the iPhone 5S, the most devices Apple has ever included in a software upgrade before.

2. Augmented reality upgrades

Apple is going big on augmented reality (AR) with its new and improved ARKit 2 in iOS 12.

Updates to the ARKit include improved face tracking, including detecting when someone sticks out their tongue, 3D object detection and multi-user AR.

The Measure app, an AR tape measure if you’ve never used it, has had an upgrade so it automatically measures surfaces around you by just pointing your iPhone or iPad camera at it.

Everyone is going mad for Measure, in particular, as people are using it to measure their pets because why not?

3. New memojis

Thanks to the new ARKit improvements, Apple’s augmented emojis are getting a new spotlight.

As well as upgrades to the Animojis including adding the ghost, koala and tiger to the offering, iOS 12 sees the introduction of Memojis.

These are new AR emojis which you can customise to look just like you. Choose your hairstyle, face shape and accessories and use your Memojis in messages and during FaceTime.

How Apple's new Memoji feature looks
JOSH EDELSON / Contributor / Getty

4. Digital detox

The new feature will help you understand how much time you’re using your device as well as help you cut down on bad habits.

It will give you reports on what you’re doing on your phone, allow you to set app limits, and reminders of when an app allowance is running out.

Google, Facebook and Instagram are all experimenting with these new digital detox features.

How Apple's new digital detox feature, Screen Time, will look
Apple

5. New parental controls

Just as adults now have screen time controls, iOS 12 is introducing Screen Time for kids. As a parent, you can force your child to have downtime, blocking specific apps and allowing them to use the ones you approve.

A fun tactic allows the child to ask for more time to play on a specific app, through a notification.

You can approve or decline it from your own device, which sounds deliciously cruel.

iOS 12 is available to download on your iPhone now.

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