What’s new in Apple’s iOS 15: the main features that come with your iPhone

Apple continues its efforts to take over the physical portfolio. Last year it let you add car keys, but in iOS 15, you can add extra keys. Add a smart home lock key if you use an access card or hotel room key that you can use to access your office – Apple says Hyatt will extend this functionality to 1,000 properties around the world, and yes, you can tap your Apple Watch to access your room.

Even better, you can scan your driver’s license with your iPhone’s camera and add it to the Wallet app, but it’s only available in participating states. One of the first places you will be able to use your digital ID is the airport; Apple says the Transportation Security Administration enables checkpoints that support the feature.

Speaking of travel, the company has now expanded its improved version of Apple Maps to four new countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy and Australia. Apple’s map data is even more accurate in iOS 15. You’ll find more street-level details in commercial neighborhoods, elevation information in cities, as well as custom designs for landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge. When you’re driving, Maps will show you highway interchanges in 3D, so you know better which lane you should be on. These features will come to CarPlay this year.

If you travel by public transport, Maps will tell you when you need to get off the station and if you don’t know which bus to get off the bus or get off the metro station, point your phone at the buildings in front of you. Apple’s augmented reality may be the way to go. It’s similar to AR Live View in Google Maps.

iPad 15

Like every year, iPadOS, Apple’s tablet operating system, networks almost every new feature available on iOS. It’s no different here, but of course, the iPadOS gets some new tricks. Most viewed? You can place widgets anywhere on the home screen just like on your iPhone. There are larger widgets to use on more real estate screens, and Apple has also brought in an App Library, so you won’t have to worry about dozens of main pages. You can access the application library from the iPad dock.

Multitasking is finally getting a little boost. At the top of the screen, a new menu allows you to double-click or toggle on the slide, so you don’t have to swipe unnecessarily. Tap on any app and scroll to the far right to select a new app that will open when you see the home screen. When you want to switch apps, swipe down from the Home screen to select something else. If you want to ride your bike through multiple application windows, you can place your cases in a new area called the shelf. These new multi-tasking options support new keyboard shortcuts, so you don’t have to touch the iPad screen to use them.