Apple unveiled iOS 9 earlier this year at WWDC 2015, and the update is rolling out to the public this week on Wednesday, September 16th. You’ve likely heard about all the new features, like the iPad’s new multitasking feature and the new and improved Siri, but you are not sure if you should upgrade. If you are still on the fence about installing iOS 9, here are five reasons to say goodbye to iOS 8 and install the iOS 9 update on your device.
1. Siri and Search Intelligence
One major improvement to iOS is in the area of intelligence. Apple has added intelligence throughout the iOS with the biggest improvement in Siri and Search. Apple iOS 9 is now Proactive, a term the company uses to describe its predictive suggestions that’ll provide you without what you need before you even ask for it. For example, iOS 9 now shows recommended contacts, nearby places, suggested apps and relevant news when you open spotlight search.
Search also provides additional information such as weather, sports schedules and more. Siri is now more intelligent, too, with the ability to set reminders when you are in another app (“Remind me about this email tonight”) and search through photos based on dates, locations and albums.
➤ iOS 9 Feature Preview: Proactive brings intelligent search and smart Siri to iOS
2. New iPad experience
The iPad in iOS 9 is the recipient of several significant changes that’ll make it easy to use the device. A new multi-tasking feature allows you view two open apps in either a split-screen view or a picture in picture layout. There’s also a Slide Over view that allows you to work full-screen on one app and open a second app in a drawer that you can slide out as needed.
The iPad keyboard no sports several new QuickType features that provide a shortcut bar, new keyboard shortcuts and easier text selection with Multi-Touch gestures.
➤ iOS 9 Feature Preview: New keyboard features will change the way you type on your iPad
➤ iOS 9 Feature Preview: Multitasking on the iPad
3. All-New Notes app
Apple refreshed the Notes app in iOS 9, allowing you to add checklists, sketches and photo from your camera roll into each now. With support for more than just text, the new Notes app supercharge your note-taking ability.
Notes also features an enhanced sharing option that lets you create a new note using the Share button. You can tap to share maps, links, pages documents and more with the Notes app. Now that your Notes have all this additional content, Apple has added an Attachments Browser that organizes and displays all the items that are attached to your notes.
➤ iOS 9 Feature Preview: 9 ways Apple improved the Notes App
4. Transit directions and other Maps changes
Starting in iOS 9, iOS Maps will now have the long-awaited transit view and transit directions that provide schedules and maps for subways, buses, trains and ferries. The new feature is detailed, providing maps of stations so you’ll even be able to find entrances to larger transportation centers. Maps also has a new Nearby feature that’ll show you local points of interest when you search in Maps.
➤ iOS 9 Feature Preview: Transit directions and Nearby recommendations added to Maps
5. Small changes with significant impact
iOS 9 ships with a variety of smaller changes that’ll have a significant impact on how you use you iPhone. For example, Apple has added a “Back to” app feature that lets you pick up where you left off with just a single tap. I use it all the time when I am browsing Safari. If a message comes in, I can read the message and use the “Back to Safari” link at the top to go right back to where I was reading. Other changes include 6-digit passcodes, native two-factor authentication, loyalty and reward card support in Apple Pay, the option to add new attachment types in Mail, low power mode setting and more.
➤ You can finally save or add any type of attachment in the Mail app
➤ Improved security with 6-digit passcodes and native two-factor authentication
➤ You will start using Apple Wallet and Apple Pay a lot more in iOS 9
➤ Here are the 19 new options and changes in the Settings app in iOS 9
➤ iOS 9 will bring Quick Reply feature to your favorite Messaging apps
➤ iOS 9 vs. iOS 8: A look at the UI changes in iOS 9
➤ iOS 9 will bring Quick Reply feature to your favorite Messaging apps
Conclusion
Will you update to iOS 9 when it is released tomorrow? Or will you wait for some of the kinks to be worked out before you upgrade? Let us know upgrade plans and opinions on iOS 9 in the comments below.
