Top features of Apple iOS 9: Battery life, security, Siri, app improvements and multitasking

Apple recently released the iOS 9 bundled with a slew of stand-out features for the iPhones and iPads. The firmware size of the iOS 9 (1.3 GB) is significantly lesser than the iOS 8 (4.58 GB). In general, the iOS 9 is apparently "easy to update" and comes with a familiar user-friendly interface. The overall design and layout remain the same, however, the new OS brings in a lot of internal changes. Meanwhile, here is a list of top features of Apple iOS 9.

Apple iOS 9: Multitasking

One of the significant features of iOS 9 is the ability to multitask with the help of “split view/screen.” Using which, an iOS user can view multiple apps placed side-by-side. This feature is reportedly specific to the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 4.

In addition, there is also a feature called “slide over,” which is part of the iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 3. This feature reportedly allows users to open a new app without the need to close the first one. The “picture in picture" feature, on the other hand, allows small videos to be played inside an open app, notes Apple Insider.

Apple iOS 9: Improved Siri, Updated/Renamed Apps

Apple’s Siri has apparently turned into a proactive virtual assistant with the iOS 9. The updated Siri features better voice recognition and it also flaunts a broader range of knowledge, notes Tech Times. Interestingly, with the new OS, Siri will be very much interested in answering questions like - "what is zero divided by zero," unlike the iOS 8, where hilarious responses were meted out by the virtual assistant.

Now, Siri can also work with the new search screen located on the lower left side of the home page, where a user’s apps and contacts from the past usage (or favorite news sources) can be seen. To top it off, the “news feed” will now stream stories depending on the device user’s current location. Siri, meanwhile, gets the ability to use the date cited in an email to trigger a new event in the calendar and in the process, it alerts the user of a scheduled event, notes Phone Arena.

The “Newsstand” has apparently been rechristened as “News app.” The Maps app has also been updated to include public transit directions. The Passbook, on the other hand, has been renamed to Wallet. This Wallet will reportedly hold credits and reward cards.

Apple iOS 9: Battery Life Improvement

Thanks to the iOS 9, all the iOS powered devices will now be able to get an additional hour of battery life, notes Phone Arena. Plus, a new “Low Power Mode” has also been added to the iOS 8 successor to provide additional 3 hours of battery life to the Apple handset. However, these battery life enhancing features are restricted to Apple iPhone 4s and higher. When it comes to tablets, the same feature is part of the Apple iPad 2 and higher.

Apple iOS 9: Security/Privacy Enhancements

Apple has reportedly made several changes to its password policy. In the place of the traditional “four digit code” to access a handset, the iPhone users will now have to input a “six digit password.” Additionally, the “two-step authentication” process has also been introduced, in case a user wants to log into another iOS device. These security changes have reportedly been included in both iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, notes Tech Times.

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