Previous rumors have suggested that Apple is going to focus on iOS stability and performance with iOS 9, but that doesn’t mean that the update is going to be completely devoid of new features.
Sources speaking to 9to5Mac have detailed some of the new features that are expected to be included with iOS 9. Perhaps one of the biggest is called Rootless, a feature that’s expected to improve security and prevent malware by preventing access to select protected files on Apple devices, with even admins being blocked from some content. Apparently the feature will be a big hit to the jailbreaking community, so if you like to customize your iOS device using jailbreaks, this is a feature to keep an eye on.
Apple also plans to switch from an IMAP-based backend to iCloud Drive for syncing data from Apple apps like Notes, Reminders, and Calendar. This change will reportedly offer better encryption and faster syncing. Also in development is Trusted Wi-Fi, a feature that’ll use a heavily encrypted wireless connection for non-trusted Wi-Fi hotspots but a simpler connection for trusted routers. Apple is reportedly planning to preinstall Swift code libraries in iOS 9, which will allow apps updated for iOS 9 to be smaller because current Swift apps must include their code libraries inside the apps.
Finally, Apple is reportedly working to ensure that iOS 9 works well on older hardware like the iPhone 4s and the original iPad mini. To accomplish this, the Cupertino firm is said to have built a base version of iOS 9 and then is adding features one by one, ensuring that each works properly and doesn’t negatively impact performance before adding another feature.
Despite these features being new for iOS 9, there’s nothing in today’s leak that’s really a huge feature that’ll get most consumers super excited. Of course, there may be some of those features still in the works, but right now it continues to look like iOS 9 is going to have a major focus on stability. That’s good news for iOS fans, who have been complaining of less-than-stellar performance since the iOS 7 update.
Apple’s WWDC 2015 is taking place in early June, and it’s been suggested that we could get our first glimpse at iOS 9 there. Stay tuned!
