Described as the ‘biggest release of iOS ever’, Apple’s latest software update sports a vast array of new features compatible with any device including and past the iPhone 5.
Although updated features include added 3D touch options, an improved Control Center and an overall revamp on mobile design, it is the changes to iMessage that are the most impressive. With personalization on read receipts, gaming choices and new camera options, Apple’s iOS10 update makes messages ‘more personal than ever’.
Send drawings, heartbeats and more
Featuring a slightly new layout, iMessage now has a smaller message box to type in, to make room for the 3 added options on the left hand side.
iOS10 integrates the App store into iMessage so users can quickly access apps and widgets to send to other contacts. Want to compete on games? You can now send the app straight to a friend and start playing! On the same tab, share GIFs, browse the internet and share music. Sharing online content has never been easier!
Digital Touch
‘Digital Touch Messages’ are also a new feature, allowing you to draw pictures and send them over iMessage. Draw in 7 different colors and share your affection by sending digital kisses and heartbeats. Be warned though, these message will only appear in your thread for 2 minutes before expiring unless otherwise saved by the recipient.
Want to send something even more personal? Turn your phone landscape and handwrite a message! Click send and recipients will receive a message hand written by you that will stay in the thread forever.
Invisible Ink, Animations and Slam
iMessage also comes with the option to send your messages with an effect. Choose from four ‘Bubble’ effects or five ‘Screen effects’. Choose from the following ‘Bubble’ effects:
• Invisible Ink – sends your message as a pixelated blur. The recipient has to tap the message in order to see the content.
• Gentle – sends the text as small and gradually grows to normal size.
• Loud – used to mimic shouting, the text bubble is sent as big, wobbles a little then shrinks back to normal size.
• Slam – The message bubble is quite literally ‘slammed’ into the chat, leaving a puff of dust and making the previous messages tremor.
The ‘Screen’ effects fill the whole screen once the message has been sent and you can choose from Balloons, Confetti, Lasers, Fireworks or a Shooting Star.
Markup on Camera
Wanting to send a photo over iMessage? Easily navigate through your photo library and click on a photo to put it in your message. Want to take a new photo? A preview thumbnail will come up so you all you have to do is ‘capture’ the photo. Also, before you send it, not only can you edit the filter, you can actually draw, write and zoom in on certain parts on them too! Simply click ‘Mark up’ in the bottom left corner once you’ve clicked on the preview of the photo.
Emoji Predictions
If you’ve installed iOS10, I don’t need to tell you that the Emojis have changed, they look very different. With more variety to choose from including a wider range of Emoji families, non-gender specific faces and a whole new bunch of faces too, should you choose to just send someone an emoji it will appear in your message 3 times the original. Yet this isn’t the only difference. iOS10 now auto analyses your message and picks out words that can be swapped for an emoji, this text will automatically highlight in orange and all you have to do is click on the text. Happy will turn into the smiling Emoji, present into the present, okay into the okay hand symbol and so on…
Tapback
How many times a day do you respond to messages with a one word answer? Something like ‘okay’ or a laughing emoji? Well now you don’t even have to type anything out when responding to messages. With ‘Tapback’, either double click on hold down any message sent in a thread and iOS10 gives you the option to ‘like’, ‘dislike’, ‘love’, ‘laugh’ at, ‘emphasize’ or ‘question’ the message. Once you’ve clicked an option, it will appear in a bubble above the message and the recipient will get a notification to say you’ve reacted to a message.
Read Receipts
Want someone to know you’ve seen their message? iOS10 now allows you to customise who specifically can see your read receipts. Leave your read receipts off in settings but turn on individual ones through the info in your message thread. Once switched on, this will automatically sync to all your devices where you’re signed in on iMessage.
