iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPad Pro: What’s new from an iOS developer perspective?

When developing apps for iOS, developers need to focus on different models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to provide a richer user experience across multiple iOS devices. Despite running on the same version of iOS, the screen size, features, and functionality of individual devices differ. Therefore, the new models of these various devices recently unveiled by Apple at an event in San Francisco will have a huge impact on iOS app development.

According to the information released by Apple, developers can easily identify the prominent features of the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPad Pro. The new iPhone models are designed for regular users, while the iPad Pro is designed for professional and business users. Developers need to take advantage of the specific features of various Apple devices so that new iOS apps provide a better and richer user experience and earn higher profits.

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

The iPhone 6s will have a 4.7-inch screen, while the 6s Plus version will have a 5.5-inch screen size. As the screen sizes of the new models are similar to those of the 6 and 6 Plus already available, the screen sizes of the new models will not have a significant impact on the application development front. But the 3D technology introduced by Apple will completely transform mobile application development. The Apple Watch borrowed feature allows users to apply different levels of pressure on the device’s touchscreen.

For example, users can now simply press hard on the Maps app and see shortcuts to related options like Directions Home and Mark My Locations. Similarly, the 3D touch feature allows users to get a quick view of the content of an email simply by clicking on an unread email in the inbox. Quick view will allow users to read your content, without marking the email as read. Therefore, app developers must allow users to access important parts or aspects of an app without opening the app or going through certain steps.

The latest iPhone models will also include second-generation Touch ID, 64-bit A9 chip with M9, 5MP FaceTime HD with Retina Flash, 12MP iSight camera, and 4K video and Live Photo. Major manufacturers will continue to use advanced lenses to enhance the iSight camera’s 12-megapixel capability. This feature will encourage users to capture sharper and sharper images and post them on online social networking websites. They can even take advantage of the Live Photo feature to create a video clip by stitching together high-quality photos. Therefore, the improved iSight camera and Live Photo feature will have a definite impact on iOS app development.

iPad Pro

Apple has designed the iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch screen size to meet the requirements of professional and business users. Compared to the iPad Air, the Pro version has a bigger screen, more processing power, and better accessories. Users now have the option to use Apple Pencil to interact with the iPad screen more proactively. The iPad Pro screen will respond according to the level of pressure applied by the stylus, while displaying the appropriate apps related to drawing and handwriting.

Users also have the option to interact with the iPad Pro through the Smart Keyboard that includes physical keys similar to laptop keyboards. The smart plug included in Smart Keyboard can transfer even more power and data. Apple has already updated its Mail and Notes apps to support the stylus. When developing apps for this device, iOS app developers should keep in mind that users will love to access and interact with their apps through the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. At the same time, they also need to focus on Split View, Slide Over, Picture-in-Picture, and similar multitasking improvements for iPad included in iOS 9.

Obviously, the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPad Pro will be powered by iOS. Apple has already released beta preview versions of iOS 9 with several new features and improvements. Therefore, developers should focus on the next version of Apple’s mobile platform, along with the iPhone and iPad models recently introduced by the company.