iOS 13 to include Dark Mode, iMessage Profile Pictures, revamped Health app, and more
iOS 13, supposedly codenamed “Yukon” is expected to bring a wide variety of enhancements to both iPhone and iPad, and Bloomberg author Mark Gurman has published a new report claiming to give us a better understanding of what to expect ahead of the official debut of the software next month at Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference.
According to Gurman, iOS 13 will include a much anticipated Dark Mode which adds a black and grey-heavy interface optimized for viewing at night, controllable via Control Center, enhancements to iMessage which will allow users to upload a profile picture, much like WhatsApp, and have it used on friends devices, an all-new Apple Books app that rewards users for reading, and more.
Due to be announced in June and released in September, iOS 13 is expected to include many features originally scheduled to be released with iOS 12 last year, but were held back because of Apple’s focus on stability following numerous high profile flaws with iOS 11.
Gurman claims iOS 13 will feature a revamped Health app with a redesigned homepage to better show daily workout metrics, in addition to a section for “hearing health,” showing how loud you play music on your headphones and the loudness of the external environment.
The new Health app is also expected to include more comprehensive menstrual cycle tracking, composting with period-tracking apps such as Clue, Flo and Ovia.
The report reiterates earlier claims that Apple is working to combine Find my Friends and Find my iPhone into one singular app, internally referred to as project “GreenTorch” and suggests a new system-wide “Sleep Mode” is on the horizon that will tie into an upgraded version of the Bedtime tab in Apple’s Clock app.
The Bedtime feature lets users input the time they fall asleep and when they want to wake up. The software currently tracks some sleep patterns, but the new version will be more extensive and could integrate with future Apple sleep-tracking devices, like a new Apple Watch. The Sleep Mode, when enabled in Control Center, turns on Do Not Disturb, darkens the Lock Screen, and mutes all notifications.
Other features expected to arrive with iOS 13 include…
- A new keyboard option to allow users to swipe across letters on the keyboard in one motion to type out words
- The ability to use iPad as a second Mac display
- An updated Reminders app with four default sections laid out in a grid: tasks to be done today, all tasks, scheduled tasks, and flagged tasks
- Enhanced parental controls with contact blocking
- Updates to Apple Maps
- The ability to mute individual threads, block incoming email from certain contacts, and simpler folder management in Mail
- Updates to the Home app
- Design tweaks to the “Share Sheet”, making it easier to send items such as photos and web links
- An updated Files app with a new Safari downloads manager
- iPad specific features such as an updated interface for multi-tasking, tweaks to the home screen, and the ability to cycle through different versions of the same app
- Improved support for hearing aids