Apple Officially Releases iOS 14 With Widgets, App Library and More

One of the biggest changes is right on the home screen. You can now add widgets to the home screen and choose the size of each one. The widgets can also be placed on the screen as you’d like.

There are a number of widget options from Apple apps and from third-party apps. One of the of most interesting is the Smart Stack widget that will show the apps you use most at specific times of the day.

And speaking of apps, the new App Library automatically organizes apps into a simple view. All of the apps are categorized in categories. It’s available by swiping to the end of your apps.

Another new app-related feature is App Clips. That’s a small part of an app that you can use when needed. They can be associated with a product or business and load quickly to do a task like order takeout.

You can find then through an App Clip code, NFC tags, or QR codes. They can also be shared in Message or Safari.

A long-requested feature from the iPad, picture-in-picture, has also made its ways to the iPhone. That will allow you to view video from compatible apps while still doing other tasks.

Another nice change is the compact call design that doesn’t take up the entire screen.

And instead of taking up the full screen during a Siri query, the information will appear on the bottom of the iPhone screen. Dictating messages, notes, email, and more using the assistant now runs on the device to improve speed.

Two other popular apps, Messages and Maps, are also sporting new features.

In Messages, you can pin important conversations to the top of the list for quick access. It’s also easier to keep up with busy threads using mentions and inline replies.

Maps offers new cycling directions and electric vehicle routing to create a route with near chargers.

Using the curated guides, you can view a list of interesting places to visit in a city.

Other improvements include:

• AirPods and AirPods Pro listeners can take advantage of a Spatial Audio mode that provides an immersive listening experience with dynamic head tracking. You can now automatically switch between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
• The Home App offers new automation and quicker access to smart home devices in Control Center. Adaptive lighting can also adjust the temperature compatible lights throughout the day.
• A new Translate app can translate voice and text of 11 languages.
• Safari’s Privacy report will show what trackers that have been blocked and if your password has been involved in a data breach so it can be changed.