[imagesource: Apple]

Apple has released iOS 14 and it’s proving to be the best upgrade yet.

One of the features we were most excited about was the amped-up privacy settings, taking the already effective settings of its predecessor to new heights.

Apps will now need to actively ask for permission before tracking you across services. Apple will allow you to choose between “Allow Tracking” or “Ask App Not To Track”.

The new update has also brought with it a new interface that simplifies the way that you interact with the apps on your iPhone.

The all-new screen experience, reports 9to5Mac, has eliminated the basic grid of square apps on your screen, with a whole new look and feel.

Before we go into the specifics, here’s a look at the WidgetKit and App Clips from the ‘Time Flies’ launch event on September 15:

Not everyone enjoys change, so navigating a new update can prove tricky. If you’re one of those folks, take in a step-by-step guide to using your home screen widgets:

• On your iPhone running iOS 14, long-press your home screen in a blank space until your apps start wiggling (or long-press an app > Edit Home Screen)
• Tap the + icon in the top left corner
• Now you’ll see the available widgets (including third-party supported ones)

• Tap one, choose a size, tap Add Widget to place it on your home screen (alternatively long-press one and drag it up slightly to add it)
• You can reposition your widget by dragging it around
• Tap Done in the top right corner to set your widget
• You can create your own Smart Stack-style widgets by dragging ones of the same size (up to 10) on top of each other (Apple and third-party alike)

Apart from your iPhone, you’ll also find the widgets on your iPad with iPadOS 14 but they’re limited to the Today View sidebar.

TechCrunch rounded up some of the cooler widgets available with iOS 14.

We picked three of our faves:

Aviary

Twitter’s Aviary widget allows you to view up to four of the latest tweets (depending on which widget size you select) from your Twitter timeline. The widgets will update automatically by themselves.

Brief

The unbiased news app Brief will avoid clickbait with a minimalist monochrome design designed to only capture your attention when you’re actively looking to use it.

The content will be carefully curated by a news team, with the most important stories of the day upfront and centre.

Streaks

Streaks is a habit-forming to-do list app with new widgets in a range of sizes that you can use to track your goals, habits, and overall progress.

You’ll find more cool add-ons here.

Overall, I like what I see.

It looks like there are some things to love about 2020 after all.

[source:9t05mac]&techcrunch]