On September 20th, 2021, Apple officially released the successor of iOS14, iOS15. This is the first major update since iOS14 was released in September of last year. With that information, Apple Product users are curious to see what the new update has to offer. From being able to share screens during Facetime to the new ‘Focus Mode’ which allows users to silence every notification on their phone to a limit, the new update has many new features to showcase.

With all the new features, each specific new feature brings something nice to the table. Specifically, the new ‘Focus Mode’ feature which allows users to block all notifications except from specific people or apps. It is like an advanced version of Do Not Disturb. Some Focus options also let you automatically reply with a prewritten message to anyone. For Senior, Vidal Gray, the new ‘Focus Mode’ allows himself to focus more whenever he does not want to be disturbed.

“Whenever I found out about ‘Focus Mode,’ I knew it was going to be for me. First of all, I have a struggle with paying attention to my work at home, but with ‘Focus Mode’ I am allowed to silence all notifications except the ones I want. Therefore, I am allowed to get my work done faster than it usually does,” said Gray.

Aside from the new ‘Focus Mode,’ pre existing features like Facetime are now more enhanced. Users are now allowed to share their phone screens with the people present on Facetime. This creates an easier route for Facetime users to show what they want to their fellow peers. For Senior, Breyn Morris, the new and improved Facetime is way more convenient for her and her friends now.

“I use Facetime a lot. Whether that be with my friends or family, I am always on call. So, whenever I saw that they added the new feature, I was so excited, because it has been something I have wanted for the longest time. It just makes things more convenient for whenever I want to show my friends or family something I thought was funny or interesting,” said Morris.

Apart from the new features, some people got the update because of a Tik Tok they have seen. Or some people got the update, because someone told them. There are many different outlets where people can hear about the update and want to get it. For Senior, Kami Chaddick, her desire to have the latest version is the reason why she got the update.

“I got the update, because I like to have my phone updated to the latest version, always. I know that since it is the first version and it might be a little laggy, I don’t care, because I know there will be patches in the future that will have the update run smoother,” said Chaddick.

Despite all of the advantages, there are still some changes that can be looked upon as disadvantages. In the new update, there are some things that have been moved or have been altered. With some things being changed such as the search bar for Safari, it will take some time to get used to. For Senior, Ella Hernandez, though the advantages outrule the disadvantages, it still takes a toll on her iOS15 experience.

“Overall, the update is beneficial, however there are some things that will take some time to get used to. For example, the Safari search bar is on the bottom now, instead on the top. Also, all the new features that I have to discover by myself are impractical. It is just things like that which are the downside of the update,” said Hernandez.

After all the perks and benefits, there are some who still do not have the update. It might be because they haven’t gotten around to it or it might be because they just do not want it. It could always take someone’s recommendation for them to get the update. For Digital Media & Information teacher, Myron Johnson, the iOS15 update is something he believes is highly beneficial in many different aspects.

“Specifically, whenever there is an issue that needs to be resolved such as security or functionality, I recommend updating iOS. However, when it is a new iOS, it is important to remember that the new iOS is usually done for a new or updated product like the iPhone13 for example. If a user has an older version, they probably need to wait and let the “bugs” be worked out before updating iOS to the next step up. This is especially true for Windows users, with the new Windows 11 coming out. Already there have been reports of problems updating to Windows 11 on older Windows computers,” said Johnson.

Over the past years, there have been many updates that have changed the iPhone interface for the better, but the new iOS15 update might be one of the best ones to this day. With many new benefits and perks, there are endless possibilities of what Apple has in store for the new updates to come.