Three Ways iOS 12 Proves Apple Actually Cares About Its Users

Apple recently took the wraps off iOS 12 — its latest and most advanced iOS software update — while going on to showcase a variety of upcoming iPhone and iPad features including FaceTime group calling, Memoji, and over a dozen others.

Not much else from an aesthetic or design standpoint has changed between iOS 11 and iOS 12, though; and in fact it was rumored that the update would contain more under-the-hood enhancements in the months leading up to WWDC. At the event, Apple confirmed those rumors, noting that iOS 12 boasts primarily features and enhancements intended to address its customers' biggest gripes and concerns with iOS 11. Continue reading to learn three ways iOS 12 proves Apple actually cares about its users.

3 Major Performance Enhancements

Image via Nick Ackerman

Most notably, iOS 12 boasts a range of CPU-level performance and speed enhancements, which have already proven to be of great benefit to Apple’s older devices like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPad mini. 

Such older devices tend to slow down over time and become less efficient. Apple even found itself in the crosshairs of a highly-publicized controversy last year where the company was accused of intentionally slowing down older iPhone models. The drama resulted in the company announcing a wide-ranging battery replacement program for older devices like the iPhone 6s, and inherently thrust the issue of ‘forced obsolescence’ into the spotlight.

Luckily, Apple promised (and delivered) in the performance department with iOS 12. In addition to all the new battery management tools introduced in iOS 11.3, iOS 12 is slated to usher in performance boosts for newer and older iOS devices, alike. And judging from some of the promising speed tests we've seen already, users can expect noticeable improvements in their device's performance when iOS 12 touches down this fall.

2 Highly-Requested Screen Time & Parental Controls

Image via 9to5Mac

Also in the months leading up to its iOS 12 announcement, Apple had been fending off accusations lodged by a number of advocacy groups and outspoken protesters who were claiming that the tech giant “doesn’t do enough” to combat the epidemic that is smartphone addiction.

Smartphone addiction particularly among children and adolescents has been documented in a number of studies, prompting Apple customers, investors and Board members to advocate for new features or tools to mitigate the issue.

With iOS 12, Apple introduced Screen Time — a powerful new iOS utility the company designed to help users kick their own case of smartphone addiction to the curb, for good. Screen Time not only helps to limit the amount of time you spend gazing into your iPhone or iPad, but flaunts a host of other features that will help you greatly improve your digital health life.

Also present in iOS 12 settings is a new and improved parental controls menu, which is intended to offer parents in-depth insight into their children’s daily and weekly usage patterns.

1 Organized and Simplified Notifications

Image via iPhone Hacks

At present, Apple's notification system in iOS 11 is a mess — they trickle in, one by one, seemingly piling up on top of one another like a sloppy stack of pancakes. 

Thankfully, in iOS 12, Apple has introduced Grouped Notifications — a new feature designed to simplify and consolidate your notifications into a condensed, app-specific banner, from which all other notifications for that app can be viewed or hidden with ease.

There are plenty of other ways iOS 12 represents one of Apple's most consumer-focused software updates yet. As noted in his post WWDC 2018 research note, Loup Ventures chief analyst Gene Munster pointed out how at WWDC 2018, Apple announced more new features for users than it did new tools for developers.

Features including "screen time limits, monitoring, and reports, grouped notifications, Do Not Disturb at bedtime, Siri shortcuts, new Safari privacy features, performance improvements for previous generation iPhones, and even third-party navigation apps on CarPlay" prove that Apple is "forgoing near-term benefits for developers and themselves in favor of a better user experience."