On Monday Apple launched the first Beta of iOS 9 after announcing the news that this new version would include that will arrive next fall. A new search engine, new options for Siri, better battery management and a low consumption mode that promises up to 3 more hours of battery life, new news application, more functions for the Notes application, new keyboard with Trackpad function ... In addition to those mentioned performance and stability improvements. After a week of using it, I will tell you about my experience with these new functions.
Drums, a real sangria
It is the most frequently asked question in these cases. This is obviously a first beta, which makes any assessment of the battery life useless when it comes to knowing how it will behave in the final version. Apple still has a lot to work on., just like application developers. In fact, I would say that my iPhone drains the battery by the applications rather than the system.
Having just installed iOS 9 on my device, I just installed a few applications, the ones I use the most, and for a couple of days I hardly noticed any differences compared to iOS 8.3, the version that I have carried on my iPhone 6 Plus for weeks. However, after installing the rest of the applications, I have noticed that the autonomy of my device has been reduced by half. Since my iPhone 5 I did not have to recharge my iPhone at noon to reach the end of the day, and now it happens to me like that. Also sometimes I carry it in my pocket and it feels very hot, I haven't used it for a while. Probably the update in the background or who knows what may be causing problems in this aspect that needs to be improved a lot.
The new Finder and Siri, useful but coming soon
The new search engine promises to be one of the best novelties of iOS 9, at least according to Apple showed us in its Keynote. Because at the moment, except for the most frequent contacts and the applications that are used the most, you cannot give it much use. In Spain at least it is like that. Nor can you search using natural languageAs the weather is going to do, you do not have the news (and it will also take time to arrive), nor of course you can make use of deeplinks because the developers have not updated their applications.
Three-quarters of the same happens with Siri, which has been updated from charm to aesthetics, but it can practically do the same thing it did before, without yet offering the functions that we were taught at the Apple event.
Notes has conquered me again
One of the few new features that we can now enjoy is the renewed Notes application. I had been forgotten long ago but with these new functions it has again won me. Being able to insert links from Safari, directions from Maps, the possibility of drawing diagrams, automatic lists ... it is no longer that rudimentary notebook in which you could only write, now it is a whole word processor in which you can create notes and diagrams that deserve worth sharing.
Maps, improvements but few
The Maps application will improve a lot in iOS 9 thanks to the public transport information, something that is really missed a lot, but only in certain cities in the United States and China. I am very afraid that the introduction of public transport will be very slow, and it will take a long time to include a Spanish city, and obviously I'm talking about Madrid or Barcelona. If I have to wait for this information to arrive in Granada, I'd better make myself comfortable because it's going to be a very long wait.
Yes that is useful the new search by categories with which Maps directly gives you suggestions based on your location without having to type anything. A quick and easy way to find restaurants, car parks or the nearest emergencies.
New keyboard with Trackpad function
Another really useful feature is the ability to use the keyboard as a trackpad. With two fingers you slide on the keyboard and you can move the cursor, even select text. Much faster than the conventional method, and even more so on the iPad than on the iPhone. I have not been able to test iOS 9 on an iPad, so I cannot speak about the new keyboard toolbar, but obviously they should be quite useful for those who edit text on the Apple tablet.
Stability and performance
In terms of speed, I have only noticed that when trying to wake up the iPhone from sleep, it sometimes requires several presses of the home or power button for it to respond. I have not noticed other slowdowns, so the performance on my iPhone 6 Plus is good, like iOS 8. There are stability flaws, with application closures (especially annoying Telegram closures, the one that gives more problems), and even some "apple" than another without knowing the reason. It is by no means unstable or has the compatibility problems of iOS 7 in its first betas, but let's not forget that it is a beta.
Conclusion: still a long way to go
iOS 9 Beta 1 is far from what Apple showed us in its keynote. Many functions are not yet available, the battery not only does not meet the promised overtime but lasts less (much less), and has the stability problems that only a beta is allowed. In short, unless you like to "mess up", I do not advise you to install it, and much less on your iPhone or iPad that you use daily. Better to wait for new updates that add functions and improve the battery problem.
Barcelona traffic already appears in Maps.
Hi, thanks for the info, does iOS 9 take up less space just installed?
remember that it is a beta and it is the first beta, so far from what the final version will be. You have to always remember that since there are people who do not know what that means.
The Beta of Ios 9 is the best I have tried, it has the odd miniscule bug, but for my 4gb iPhone 8s it is a luxury, I already have space for everything! and I still have 2 gigs left over. The battery I do not know what these crazy people say if it lasts even longer than normal, it goes super fast and everything is prettier even though we are already very friends hehe, I recommend installing it and when they release the beta 2 the same to fix some bugs, but it's going super well, don't be scared that these people don't even know what they're saying.
From what I see, in old devices (owner of an iPad 2) the available space and speed have improved a lot, but in new devices (I have an iPhone 6) things change, more functions are implemented and it generates more instability in the system. In addition to the excessive consumption of battery, I suppose that what they are looking for in iphone 4s and ipad 2 is stability, speed and battery life that will surely be achieved and in the most modern ones, all new functions are already being sought, so it will take longer in polishing everything
Taking into account that in July they will launch iOS 9 public beta, do you think that maybe today or tomorrow they will launch a second developer beta? or next week