Apple Unveils iOS 13 Featuring Dark Mode, Swipe Keyboard, Performance Improvements, and More

Apple today previewed iOS 13, which will introduce a new Dark Mode to iOS devices and several performance improvements across the board, including faster Face ID, slimmer downloads and updates, and quicker app launches.

Dark Mode has been implemented across the iPhone and iPad operating system and its native apps, including the appearance of notifications, widgets, calendar, and notes. Dark Mode is also available to third-party app developers for integration into their own apps, and can be scheduled to turn on automatically at sunset or at a certain time.

Apple has also added a swipe to type feature to the stock iOS keyboard called QuickPath, which brings easy one-hand typing to the iOS keyboard by continuously swiping through the letters of a word, and Memoji are automatically made into sticker packs built into the iOS keyboard, so they can be used in Messages, Mail and other apps.

iOS 13 will also bring new sharing suggestions for Messages – users can automatically share a user's name and photo, or customized Memoji or Animoji, to easily identify who is in the Messages thread.

A new sign-in feature allows users to log in to third-party apps with their Apple ID, Notes has a new Gallery View, more powerful collaboration with shared folders, new search tools and checklist options, and time-synced lyrics are coming to the Music app.

Elsewhere, Siri has a new, more natural voice, and Siri Shortcuts now supports Suggested Automations that provide personalized routines for things like heading to work or going to the gym. And with AirPods, Siri can read incoming messages as soon as they arrive, from Messages or any SiriKit-enabled messaging app.

In addition, the Files app is gaining the ability to share folders with iCloud Drive and access files from external storage devices like SD cards and USB flash drives, while new Location Services options include a new one-time location option and more information on when apps are using location in the background.

On the performance front, Face ID is now 30 percent, downloads are 50 percent smaller, updates are 60 percent smaller, and app launches are twice as fast as iOS 12.

iOS 13 will also bring an easier Photos app browsing interface and new editing tools, a revamped Reminders app, and enhanced Apple Maps features.

'iOS 13 brings new capabilities to the apps you use every day, with rich updates to Photos and Maps, and privacy-protecting features like Sign In with Apple, all while delivering faster performance,' said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. 'We're excited for customers to experience what's coming to iPhone this fall and can’t wait for them to see how great everything looks in Dark Mode.'Developer betas of iOS 13 are already available, while the final public version will be released this fall.Related Roundups: iOS 13, iPadOSThis article, "Apple Unveils iOS 13 Featuring Dark Mode, Swipe Keyboard, Performance Improvements, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums