What's new in iOS 13? Here are the top features and compatible devices

For easier one-handed typing, the new QuickPath keyboard feature allows users to swipe from one letter to the next without lifting finger to enter a word.

US technology giant Apple has rolled out the much-anticipated iOS 13, the successor to iOS 12, with major updates to the apps, new privacy and security features like Sign In with Apple and faster FaceID, dark mode, new Siri voice, Memoji customization, photo-editing tools, new map, CarPlay Dashboard, and much more.

The all-new iOS 13 is compatible with a total of 16 Apple devices which include:  iPhone 11; iPhone 11 Pro; iPhone 11 Pro Max; iPhone XS; iPhone XS Max; iPhone XR; iPhone X; iPhone 8; iPhone 8 Plus; iPhone 7; iPhone 7 Plus; iPhone 6s; iPhone 6s Plus; iPhone SE and iPod touch (7th generation). Furthermore, Apple will release iOS 13.1 alongside iPadOS on September 24, nearly a week ahead of the previously confirmed date.

The Apple iOS 13 introduces the following new features and changes:

Dark Mode

The software update gives a dramatic new look to the iPhones with a new Dark Mode option. Designed specifically for the low-light environments, the dark mode can be turned on from Control Center or can be scheduled to turn on automatically turn on at a specific time.

Photo and video editing tools

With the all‑new Photos tab, users can find, relive, and share photos and videos more easily. It creates a new curated view of your significant moments from every day, month, and even a year by hiding clutter and similar photos.

New and powerful photo-editing tools give better control over effects, thereby making it easier to edit, adjust, and review photos at a glance. These tools including rotate, filters, crop, noise reduction, auto-enhance can be used on videos too. Still, if you need more, you may install user-friendly photo editing software for beginners.

New camera features include Adjust Portrait Lighting intensity to increase or decrease the intensity of each Lighting effect, High-Key Light Mono to create a monochromatic look for Portrait mode photos.

Sign In with Apple

With iOS 13, Apple has introduced a new, more private way to simply and quickly sign into apps and websites. Now customers can simply use their Apple ID to authenticate rather than using a social account or filling out forms. Sign In with Apple uses Face ID or Touch ID and has built-in two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.

Maps

iOS 13 introduces additional new features to the Maps app for more realistic details. It offers an immersive 3D experience that gives users a 360-degree view of a place. Other features include Real-time transit, flight status and more natural spoken turn-by-turn directions, Improved CarPlay experience, and MapKit.

Siri

Voice assistant Siri sounds more natural than ever and can even detect reminders in messages and events in third-party apps. It adds support for new Indian English male and female voice and all 22 official Indian languages. Moreover, Siri Shortcuts now supports Suggested Automations for personalized suggestions.

Reminders

The redesigned Reminders app offers intelligent ways to create, edit, organize and track daily reminders. With the all-new quick toolbar, users can add photos, document scans, and even web links to make reminders more informative. Now it's easy to tag someone in a reminder so that it surfaces right there when the user will chat with that person in messages.

Memoji and Messages

The improved Memoji now features 30 new hairstyles, over 15 new pieces of headwear, and more earrings and glasses and three new Animoji characters, namely, mouse, octopus, and cow. Sticker packs based on Memoji and Animoji characters are now automatically generated and can be used in Messages, Mail, and third‑party apps. With this new update, users can optionally share their name, photo or memoji with their friends.

Performance 

With Faster Face ID unlock, unlocking is up to 30 percent faster (in selected models only). A new packaging way makes app updates over 60 percent smaller and download sizes are reduced by up to 50 percent, thereby making apps launch up to 2x faster.

Voice control

With just voice, users can operate their iPhone, iPad or Mac. Utilizing the Siri speech recognition engine, Voice control gets accurate dictation for audio‑to‑text transcription.

Languages

iOS 13 adds support for 38 new keyboard languages including Kashmiri, Nepali, Assamese, Bodo, Burmese, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Maithili, Pashto, Kazakh, Turkmen, Uyghur. In addition, bilingual dictionary support in Thai and English and Vietnamese and English is also available. iOS 13 includes support for over 50 new international braille tables and predictive input in Swedish, Dutch, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hindi (Devanagari), Hindi (Latin), and Najdi Arabic keyboards. 

Privacy and Security

When it comes to privacy and security, Apple makes no compromises and with the all-new iOS 13 updates, it has taken a giant leap by introducing one-time location option that allows users to share locations with apps only once and if an app uses location in the background, it will notify users. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enhancements and Location sharing controls add to further security.

QuickPath typing

For easier one-handed typing, the new QuickPath keyboard feature allows users to swipe from one letter to the next without lifting finger to enter a word. It also suggests alternate word options in the predictive bar. The QuickType keyboard now supports English, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Safari

An updated start page in Safari features favorites, frequently visited, most recently visited websites, and Siri suggestions. Other updates include a new View menu, Page zoom, download manager to check downloading status, access files, and background downloading and iCloud end‑to‑end encryption.

Apple Arcade

The all-new gaming subscription service from Apple offers unlimited access to groundbreaking new games with one subscription, no ads or additional purchases. It is available across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV and players can seamlessly switch from one device to another.

AirPods

With AirPods, Siri can read incoming notifications from messaging apps when the phone is not nearby and the AudioSharing feature allows pairing of two sets of AirPods with one iPhone or iPad to enjoy a song or movie with a friend.

HomePod

Using HomePod, Siri can recognize and distinguish the voices of family members to deliver a personalized experience. The Handoff feature allows users to easily move music, podcasts or a phone call to HomePod.