iOS 16 feature review by top iOS developers of the industry

The new version of Apple’s operating system, iOS 16, came out on September 12, 2022. The following month, they published iOS 16.1, which we will discuss altogether here in one spot. Let’s start with the iOS 16 feature review!

In this article, we are going through developer mode on iOS 16 feature review by the top iOS developer team from Seven Peaks Software, who provided us with a wealth of information based on their actual experience using the latest and most interesting features of Apple’s operating system.

Apple included many intriguing and practical features in this version. For the benefit of developers, we selected a few of them and divided them into a few groups based on the advantages they offered.

In terms of update in framework

• DeviceDiscoveryUI

  In iOS 12, Apple introduced the Network Framework to help developers monitor internet connections while communicating with the server. Now in developer mode on iOS 16, they proudly represent the new companion framework to the Network Framework “DeviceDiscoveryUI” to help developers build up the device-to-device experience a lot easier.

  Using this framework, developers can design tvOS and iOS applications that communicate over the local network. DeviceDiscoveryUI will pair with the Network Framework to make cross-device connectivity as simple as possible.

  It provides a local network-based encrypted communication between tvOS apps and iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS apps. Users can manage a tvOS game from their iPad, and can examine their workout data from their watchOS on their fitness tvOS app.

In terms of update in media and web

• App Clips

  An App Clip is a small version of your app that gives users access to some of its features. Because they are optimized for speed, they must be compact in order to seem instant.

  New in developer mode on iOS 16: App Clips can now be up to 15 MB in size. Developers now have more room to craft the best possible user experience. Thanks to the advancement of our wireless network technology.

  As an added bonus, CloudKit allows developers access to iCloud data, which was not possible before. The most recent iOS release enables users to access data and files stored in a public CloudKit repository by use of App Clips. With CloudKit’s scalability and power, you can now use the same code for both your app and App Clip.

  Cloud documents and the key-value store are likewise inaccessible to App Clips. That means Apple is keeping its word to customers that inactive App Clips and all associated data will be removed.

• Live Text API

  Starting with iOS 16, devices equipped with an Apple Neural Engine and any machine running macOS 13 have access to the Live Text API. It allows for image analysis and offers tools that let users engage with the information contained in the image. Therefore, users can choose text to copy, look it up online, translate it, call a number, or navigate to a URL.

  Even for a video, VisionKit has a data scanner you can use to enable video analysis. However, if you activate this feature, the video will automatically stop for an analysis.

  With just these few lines of code, you can take an ordinary image and bring it to life.

private func showLiveText() {
guard let image = imageView.image else {
return
}
Task {
let configuration = ImageAnalyzer.Configuration([.text])
do {
let analysis = try await imageAnalyzer.analyze(image, configuration: configuration)
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.interaction.analysis = nil
self.interaction.preferredInteractionTypes = []
self.interaction.analysis = analysis
self.interaction.preferredInteractionTypes = .automatic
}
} catch {
print(error.localizedDescription)
}
}
}


• Swift Chart

  Graph data visualization is critical for apps because it helps users grasp the data presented. In addition, it can improve the app’s overall appeal. Because of this, Apple created a new library to aid developers in creating charts in SwiftUI that run natively on all Apple devices.

  It has a wide range of potential uses, including data visualization, stock charts, sales reports, health chart reports built with HealthKit integration, and weather forecasting apps built with WeatherKit integration.

• HealthKit

  For some time now, developers have had access to the HealthKit Library, which allows them to incorporate users’ health information into their own software development projects.

  There are three major features in iOS 16 developer mode that are exclusive to this version:

1. Apple allows for the constant retrieval of a large amount of data from the Apple Watch, including triathlon statistics. It is really useful for creating an exercise application.
2. Developers can access the body’s Heart Rate Recovery numbers to determine how long it will take for fatigue to subside. It is a great benefit for creating an exercise application or other health related applications.
3. The ability to retrieve data and store Visual Acuity Test is available to developers. The software requires users to provide their own eye values, though. It is a significant advantage for the development of health-related applications for users who have issues with their eyesight.

• WeatherKit

  The application for predicting the weather has reached a new level of efficiency now. It can be used to make a weather app, but it also has a wide range of potential uses beyond just that, including agricultural apps, traffic apps, or even alerting us when we leave the house to exercise when connected to the Apple Watch.

  There is a wealth of data available, including temperature, humidity, sunrise and sunset, moonrise and moonset, fog, wind, rain, snow, and alarms for various natural disasters. The functionality is quite simple to implement for developers.

• MapKit SDK

  This year, MapKit introduces the most cutting-edge features of Apple Maps to be beneficial to app experience, giving users unprecedented access to the world around them.

  In order to generate this one-of-a-kind experience, simply recompile an app with the new SDK to enable it for usage with the brand-new Apple map, complete with the 3D City Experience in supported areas. Now it is available in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, San Diego, LA, NY, London, Washington DC, and San Diego.

  The brand-new map requires 3D City Experience-compatible hardware. The new map capability in iOS requires iPhones and iPads with the A12 chip or later. For its capability on macOS, an M1-based system or later is necessary.

There is another recent API that allows developers greater control over the appearance and feel of their overlays and opens up a wide range of fresh creative opportunities. It is the blend mode. It will function exactly like a photo editing program, but this one can be created in code with functions like Multiply, Hue, Saturation, Darken, and Lighten.

Selectable Map Features is an even more intriguing feature! This function has received a lot of demand. Now, developers have the choice to give their users access to map functionality.

Previously, the Apple Map used in apps could only show information about the pins we had placed. However, it can now be picked up at any point other than the pinned place. Users can click to view mountains, different landmarks, and a store. Additionally, they may choose which category of buttons they wish to press to display the information or not. There are numerous ways they can alter it.

In addition, a Look Around feature that is comparable to Google Street View is now accessible in major cities. It is suitable for a variety of app functionalities, including those associated with travel apps.