Big Changes Coming to iPhone Operating System

 

iPhone: Expect sweeping system updates

iPhone users: Get ready for one of their biggest updates ever. Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 14, will be released this fall. Depending on your comfort level, this is either a cause for celebration or deep mourning. I just read through an impressive list of enhancements, and while I suspect that the geekier among us can’t wait to get their hands on the new phone, this may not be so exciting for those with more modest needs–those who simply want to pick up their phones and make a call. 

Be forewarned: The Home screen will be redesigned

This is always a little disorienting, regardless of the benefits, and there will be a learning curve. 

• Artificial intelligence (AI) has played an important role in the new functionality.
• Siri got a whole lot smarter, answering a greater range of questions, now sending audio messages. Apple increased the number of languages that Siri understands, and you can now ask Siri to translate words, phrases, and sentences in more than 65 language pairs. Great if we ever get to travel again. 
• Widgets have been totally redesigned to give you more information at a glance — and now you can add them to your Home Screen. Choose from different sizes and arrange to your liking.
• Look for fun, new Memoji styles and stickers. New age options, face coverings, more than 20 new hair and headwear styles.
• Artificial intelligence teams with the Siri Suggestions widget to surface suggested actions based on your usage patterns. If you listen to a podcast at 8am every morning, you might see the Podcasts widget at that time. 
• Digital car keys lets users unlock or start their car with an iPhone or Apple Watch. Next year, with the U1 chip, the car keys will let us unlock our cars without taking our iPhone out of our pockets or handbags. 
• Look forward to the world’s fastest mobile browser—Safari is apparently 2x faster than Android’s Chrome. 
• App junkies are going to love this one. App Library is a great new feature that displays all of your apps in an easily accessible list that’s similar to that on the Apple Watch. Love this—if you swipe to the end of the App Library view, every app is automatically organized by category: Utilities, Productivity, Education, Creativity, Reference and Reading, Social, Health and Fitness, Lifestyle, Games, etc. 

How to update: iOS14 is in beta right now

It’s rolling out this fall. Update the same way you do system updates now—generally overnight. When available, Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. 

What to do with inevitable usability questions?

The Apple website is helpful. Key in a questions and get an answer with helpful screenshots. Those who are very brave will muster up the courage to go to their local Genius Bar. But that’s only for the bravest among us. 

A new season

The perfect time to be rethinking your marketing for the COVID era. Contact Top of Mind Marketing. We’re writers and content marketing specialists. 

The days when social media refused to monitor content in support of free speech finally may be over. It took the emergence of a batsh*t-crazy conspiracy-theory group, QAnon, for this policy to emerge. 

So who are these people?

Founded four years ago, pro-Trump QAnon believers think the world was run by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles who were plotting against Trump while operating a global child sex-trafficking ring. I know. That’s a lot to take in. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a QAnon supporter from Georgia, won a Republican primary and could be on her way to Washington. I watched a brief interview with Ms. Greene after she won the primary. She was outraged that Muslims were moving into their neighborhoods, and she couldn’t wait to get to Washington to “beat Nancy Pelosi!” Not sure what Ms. Greene has in mind, but I’ll put my money on Pelosi.

Facebook now is restricting 1,950 groups and 440 pages and more than 10,000 Instagram accounts related to QAnon. “We have seen growing movements that have celebrated violent acts; they have weapons and suggest they will use them, or have individual followers with patterns of violent behavior. One QAnon supporter wanted to “take out Joe Biden”. When she was arrested, police found dozens of knives in her car. 

Social media and social responsibility

Social is limiting QAnon and other groups that promote violence. As groups like QAnon have revealed how these sites can become vehicles for abuse, social media has taken responsibility for the content on their platforms. 

• Twitter is removing thousands of QAnon accounts and is blocking trends and key phrases related to QAnon from appearing in its search and Trending Topics section. 
• Reddit has banned some of its forums for QAnon content.
• TikTok has banned several QAnon-related hashtags, and it monitors hate speech that violates guidelines.
• YouTube has taken down tens of thousands of Q-related videos and terminated hundreds of Q-related channels. 
• Facebook has taken down other group pages that represent violence, including Antifa and other militia movements.

What is all of this about? 

Conspiracy theorists are nothing new, and according to Donald Trump, “I’ve heard these are people that love our country, and they like me.” He doesn’t seem to get that these groups are really dangerous. 

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other tech executives have been meeting regularly to discuss ways to stop their platforms from being used to spread misinformation about the vote, and are even considering a “kill switch” to shut off all political ads after election day.

A new, emerging message of change, inclusion and decency

The recent Democratic Convention shared an upbeat message of good will and decency. Of experienced, hardworking people taking responsibility and being accountable. Of getting things done. A new spirit of hope is emerging, of working together for change. Valerie Jarrett, a former Obama advisor, described it as a potential new theme: Building Back Better. It means everyone’s being accountable, and that now includes big tech and our social media sites. 

Content marketing with Top of Mind Marketing. We’re writers and content marketing experts.