Apple iOS 14 Introduces the Biggest Update Ever to the Home Screen
Apple officially introduced iOS 14 during today's WWDC virtual event. The new mobile operating system ushers in the biggest update ever to Home Screen pages, featuring redesigned widgets and the App Library.
“iOS 14 transforms the most iconic elements of the iPhone experience, starting with the biggest update we’ve ever made to the Home Screen,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “With beautifully redesigned widgets on the Home Screen, the App Library that automatically organizes all of your apps, and App Clips that are fast and easy to discover, iPhone becomes even more powerful and easier to use.”
With iOS 14, you can pin widgets in different sizes on any Home Screen page, while a Smart Stack of widgets automatically brings up the right widget based on time, location, and activity. You can also customize widgets for work, travel, sports, entertainment, and other areas of interest.
The App Library is another new tool introduced with the operating system that organizes your apps, simultaneously surfacing them in a timely manner whenever they may be helpful.
Now thanks to picture-in-picture support, you can accept FaceTime and incoming calls, as well as Siri interactions, while using another app. For messages that are particularly important, iOS 14 allows you to pin conversations to the top of your message list so you can conveniently access any designated discussions.
iOS 14 also brings new cycling directions and curated guides to Maps, suggesting interesting places to explore in a given city. New privacy features offer more transparency and control, as apps are now required to receive permission before tracking.
For more on iOS 14, which will be available via public beta next month, visit Apple.com.