The iOS 9 update is rumoured to be released in the first two weeks of June – it coincides with the WWDC 2015 conference in San Francisco, and we all know that Apple has its keynote in the first day. We don’t know many things for certain, and at this point we can only talk about iOS 9 rumours, but boy, aren’t they making me feel all giddy!
iOS 9 Rumours
Before reading further, keep in mind that some rumours are just pure speculation on my part, but they are based on what trends we are seeing on other competitors such as Samsung, Sony, and LG; and rumours are based on leaked information from various tech reviewers. Take everything with a pinch of salt, and enjoy the future!
iOS 9 Release Date
What we know for sure is that developers will be able to download the update as early as next month – it actually makes sense, because this is the pattern that we’ve seen Apple uphold for its past updates. But some unofficial sources state that Apple may be holding back on releasing the update, and in its stead we will see iOS 8.4 with its new artist-driven social network – a key part of Apple’s new music app.
If the unofficial rumours are true then soon after 8.4, iOS 9 will enter public beta, and a final version available for everyone will hit streets sometime around September. I know, it’s going to be a total disappointment if this happens, but we don’t want to experience the same ordeal as last year’s iOS 8 release – *ugh* just thinking about it makes me shiver.
We don’t want a buggy iOS 9 that will only frustrate us.
iOS 9 Compatibility
iOS 7 said goodbye to the iPhone 3GS almost two years ago. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I think that iOS 9 will say its farewell’s to iPhone 4 – possibly even iPhone 4S. Don’t kill the messenger, it’s not my fault that the iPhone 4S has an execution date.
If you think about it some more it becomes a certainty. With the iPhone 5, and iPhone 5c Apple introduced 1 GB of RAM – 512 MB more than its previous iteration.
iOS 9 Download Size
This is a huge problem, and we hope Apple addresses it. Rumours have it that it’s going to be small in size, and we can only hope that it’s going to be so.
You need up to 5 GB of free storage space on your device for iOS 8, please don’t tell me that I’m going to need more than that for the next update. It would mean that I have to delete all of my music and pictures – I certainly don’t want to do that.
The counter-argument here is that you can always use a cloud service to save up on space – sorry, but I don’t want to pay a dime more.
To end this phase – iOS 8.3 and 8.4 beta are setting a marvellous example. A smaller download size – under 5 GB for sure.
A New Siri
The new update will also come packed with a new Siri – small changes, but changes that we all need. It’s been reported that developers are hard at work trying to make it as good as the Siri found on Apple Watch.
Siri seriously needs to up its game if it wants to compete with Microsoft’s Cortana, and the really accurate Google Now.
Siri also needs to learn some manners, and shouldn’t speak unless spoken to – I’ve had some problems in the past with Siri activating all by itself when I was talking on the phone, or just talking to myself. I didn’t even said Hey, Siri, just mindless nonsense.
Integration of Beats Music
I can take it or leave it.
Google’s music streaming service is the best on the market. No, not Spotify, because it isn’t available everywhere. I travel quite a lot for business, and pleasure, and in certain European countries I can’t use Spotify.
Dr. Dre’s music service seems to have taken quite a leap towards world music domination, with more and more users switching to Beats. What I can say for sure is that Jay-Z’s Tidal isn’t going to pose a problem to the current providers. It’s really expensive, and it doesn’t offer a variety of songs like they promised. If I wanted to hear only commercial music, I would have listened to the radio.
Apple Maps with Public Transit – Trains, Subways, and Buses
It’s been a tough time since Apple Maps decided to be an independent lad leaving its partnership with Google Maps. Over the past years Apple has bought several GPS firms, and the most notable one is its recent acquisition of high-tech GPS firm Coherent Navigation. Could it be that we will able to finally use Apple Maps and get to our destinations safely, and on the correct route?
I seriously don’t want to take a detour through, I don’t know, The Grand Canyon.
Apple is also working on an augmented reality view, but let’s take one step at a time, baby steps actually. I wouldn’t bite more than I can chew.
Stability
It’s safe to say that this isn’t a rumour, just the logical next step – a more stable software. iOS 8 suffers from glitchy starts, buggy transitions, and that super-annoying battery drain bug.
We hope that Apple isn’t rushing anything, even though the adoption rate of Apple devices over Android ones is growing larger every month, and it would make perfect sense to release a new software as soon as possible – please be stupid this time Apple, just for me.
Interface Shortcuts
Whatever anyone may say, interface shortcuts are never enough, and I’m fairly sure that iOS 9 will feature new ones – simple taps, and gestures like what their new Force system can do.
iOS 8 did a pretty good job, leaving all of the bugs aside, with interactive notifications, a multitasking menu, and other shortcuts. We need, no, we demand new stuff Apple – it’s your own fault for teaching us to act like this.
