

As much as I enjoyed Apple's WWDC 2022 keynote, I know from previous years that some of the most interesting stuff isn't shown in the keynote. Instead, it's revealed over the next few days as developers get their hands on the next version of iOS and iPad OS. And some of the things they've discovered make me really excited for the iOS 16 public beta, which should arrive very soon: it's going to bring a whole bunch of useful features to every compatible iPhone.
Here are some of the highlights for me.
1. Handoff in FaceTime
Handoff, which enables you to move what you're doing from your phone to your Mac or iPad and vice-versa, is now in FaceTime – so you can start a call on your phone and Handoff to your Mac or iPad, or take a call from your Mac and put it on your phone so you can wander around while you chat.
2. Fitness tracking without an Apple Watch
If you have an Apple Watch you'll be very familiar with the excellent iPhone Fitness app, which enables you to set all kinds of goals and track your activity. In iOS 16, those features will no longer require an Apple Watch: you'll be able to use the sensors inside phones such as the iPhone 13 to track your steps, distance and workouts. You won't get the Apple Fitness+ features, as they're specifically for the watch, but it's a good option for anyone who doesn't have a smartwatch or activity tracker.
3. Paste Edits in Photos
This is one I know I'll use a lot: in iOS 16 you can copy all the edits you've made in one image and paste them into another, so if you've just done a bunch of adjustments to get one picture looking its best then you can repeat that for a whole series of shots.
4. Instant translation in the Camera app
Google app users will no doubt tut at Apple's tardiness, but iOS 16 now has Google Lens-style translation right there in the Camera app so you can point your phone at signs or menus to see what they say in your preferred language.
5. More Memoji
Memoji were everywhere in the keynote, and iOS has introduced some new poses: you can yawn, tell someone to talk to the hand or do a chef's kiss, among others. There are also new hair styles, new noses and some new lip shades too.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
There are lots of other new features too including a redesigned video player, some FaceTime interface tweaks, an option to find duplicates in your Photos library and improved settings for your AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max (or your Beats), and I like the way you'll be able to share your Safari extensions across your devices so your adblockers and other add-ons are always there. There's even support for the Nintendo Switch pro controller and Joy-Cons for gaming.
These are all little things, I know, which is why Apple didn't dedicate valuable keynote time to them. But together they're going to deliver the best iPhone experience yet, and I can't wait to try the iOS 16 public beta when it drops in July. As much as I'd like these features on my iPhone right now, I've learnt from experience that some of my most important iPhone apps don't always work in pre-public beta releases. And July isn't that far away.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Apple reportedly preparing the iPhone 17e already
But it sounds like an odd launch window
By Sam Cross
-
iPhone 17 Pro case leak shows Apple really is about to make a huge design swerve
This is going to alienate some users
By Sam Cross
-
New iPhone 17 Pro Max renders give us the best look yet at the flagship phone
This is going to cause a stir
By Sam Cross
-
Apple's iPhone just did something it never has before
This is an unprecedented event for the iPhone
By Sam Cross
-
Leaked iPhone Fold pricing suggests it will be fighting an uphill battle from the start
It looks set to be the most expensive foldable phone
By Sam Cross
-
Will there ever be a US-made iPhone?
It's something right-wing commentators have called for
By Sam Cross
-
Is the cost of my iPhone going up? Everything we know about the effects of tariffs on tech
It's an uncertain time for tech fans, with predictions not looking good for the price of phones, laptops and more in the US and beyond
By Sam Cross
-
iOS 19's new design leaks straight after WWDC 25 announcement
This could be a significant change
By Sam Cross