What's New with iOS 12?

It was about this same time last year that our blog featured details about the latest version of iOS. You may have noticed some new changes that have come along again with the recent update to iOS 12. With a large number of iPads at the elementary level and a variety of devices in the other schools here are my top 5 notable changes with iOS 12 that may impact teachers and students in the classroom. 

1.  Access  to the Control Center: I know I had a little bit of a panic moment right after the new update when I could not access the control panel by swiping up. A quick Google search that day let me know that with the new update you now need to swipe down from the top right side of the screen to access the control panel. This gives you quick access to mute sounds, adjust brightness, set timers, mirror the screen, access the camera, and more!


2. Swipe Up: So if swiping up on the screen does not bring up the Control Center, what does it do? A short swipe up will still bring up the App Dock, just as it did before; however, if you keep swiping up, you'll be returned to your Home screen (like pressing the Home button). I've read some speculation that this may be in preparation for future devices that don't have a Home button!

3. Updated QR Code Reader: The QR code reader was already part of the camera app brought to us with iOS 11. With this update though, instead of pointing the camera at the code, the code will be highlighted so you know it's been recognized. Additionally, you can add the QR code reader to the Control Center for easy access!

To add additional features to your Control Center, Go to Settings and click on Control Center, which can be found right under General. From there you can add a variety of different controls, including the QR code reader.

4. Redesign of Voice Memos: There are lots of apps out there that allow students to record their voices, however, with the new update, students can record and edit right within the Voice Memos app. Students could use this to respond to a prompt, record themselves reading orally, record a musical composition or record an interview with a fellow student. Students can AirDrop the recording to the teacher, upload it to Drive, copy it into iMovie, and more!

5. Measure App: This cool feature is not supported by most of the iPads we have in the elementary schools, but many of you may have noticed it on your iPhones with the recent update. This tool gives you the ability to use your phone to measure and/or level and it is actually using Augmented Reality (AR) to make this happen! The app will prompt you to add a point if you are measuring a straight line and then you can stretch the line to measure your object. You can also measure rectangular objects and the app will calculate the area! This could be a great feature to show students when you're working on these concepts in math.

Have you tried any of these new features? Are there features with the new iOS that you love or hate? Drop us a comment below. Need help with a new feature? Please contact a tech coach and we'd be happy to help!