Apple
iOS 9 Review: Should You Upgrade?
iOS 9 iPad Multitasking Features
Apple finally delivers an option to use multiple apps at the same time on the iPad. This delivers unprecedented productivity on the iPad, but there is a catch. The best new feature that allows users to run two apps at the same time side-by-side is only available on the iPad Air 2 and the upcoming iPad Pro.
When I combine the new split screen multitasking feature from iOS 9 with an iPad keyboard I can work faster than on an iOS 8 powered iPad Air 2, but it is still not a full laptop replacement for my needs. Casual users who rely on an iPad alone will benefit greatly from this option, and I find myself using it more and more to take notes while researching a trip, purchase or other item.
There are some multitasking iOS 9 features for other iPads including Slide-Out and Picture in Picture.
The Slide-Out feature allows an app to take up a third of the iPad screen. So far this only works with Apple’s apps, but third-party developers can add support and then users will be able to run any app in the main screen and a smaller , almost iPhone-like, version to the right.
iPad multitasking allows for better productivity on iOS 9.
If you love watching a video while you do something else, you no longer need to hold your iPhone while watching on your iPad. You can pop-out a video playing on your iPhone and move it around your screen so that you can watch something while you work. This is a feature we’ve seen on Samsung devices before, so while it is not a new idea it is still a welcome addition to the iPad.
iOS 9 Battery Life Upgrades
The biggest benefit to heavy iPhone users is a boost to iPhone battery life on iOS 9. Apple promises an added hour of use for the iPhone 6, and that seems fairly close in our use of the iPhone — but FaceTime Audio calls and some apps can still drain the battery much too fast for our liking.
To get the added hour of use, users don’t need to change any settings. Apple adds efficient features that use the sensors on your iPhone to automatically save battery power.
Get a better look at what apps are using your battery life and a new low power mode.
The Battery now gets a new spot in the Settings and there are options to see battery usage by the last 24 hours, over a longer period like the last two days, and a button to see exactly how much on-screen and background usage an app registered.
There is also a new Low Power Mode that can add up to three hours of battery life to the iPhone when you flip a switch. This will turn off many of the syncing and other options that you would normally need to turn off for a long battery boost, but in this case it is all automatic and turning off Low Power Mode returns the iPhone to normal settings.
When I end up with low iPhone battery life on the go, I switch this on and in many cases get the added boost I need to get through the day, while still using the apps and services I truly need.
Guy
09/15/2015 at 12:50 am
Josh, the new IPad Mini 4 also can do split screen multitasking. This is in reference to your article saying only the Air 2 and Pro can do this. Otherwise, nice article.
Joakim
09/20/2015 at 12:07 am
Also worth to note that the multitask gesture conflicts with the forward gesture in Safari so that doesn’t work anymore.
Exappleuser
09/17/2015 at 11:28 pm
iOS 9 sucks to the core it’s ugly and no concept at all and Apple makes it to something big?? WHAT?????? I did the update on iPhone 6 Plus I see no difference but now phone works like crap, and freezes up apps crash and all them passwords pop ups etc, never did this till now, the iOS 9 wallpapers are stupidly ugly, glad I’m getting my iPhone switched out at Apple and be back on iOS 8.4.1 where things were fine!! I knew this apple scam was to come, thanks god my Samsung Galaxy not 5 is on its way and good riddance Apple!! Apple sucks!!! Gets worst by the year!! Die Apple DIE!!!!!!!!!! And than sell iPhone on eBay cheap just to get rid of it fast!!!
Bert
10/01/2015 at 11:22 am
Wow, thanks for taking the time to actually be coherent with your comment. Yikes.
Joakim
09/20/2015 at 12:04 am
Works ok on iPad Air 2 but sluggish and laggy on iPhone 6 plus, impressive how short time apple used to destroy it.
iOS 9 didn’t add shit to my iPhone except for lag and a very depressed Norwegian Siri.
So stick to iOS 8 if you have 6 plus.
David
09/22/2015 at 12:18 am
The new IOS is so ugly. Siri screen is offensively so. Lost is the simplicity in apple design. Lost is the vision that kept it leading instead of chasing flashy gaudy novelty design.
Most apple people would pay more to get less and they did. By less I mean elegance.
Jude
09/24/2015 at 2:34 am
iPhone 5s is not compatible, my torch doesn’t work, freezes, crashes, slow, battery life sucks pages flick up and down in safari; when you haven’t moved you finger. The email search now brings up all my contacts instead of simply searching through my emails for the one I want??? I usually do a word search in association with the email I want.
Wilda
09/29/2015 at 7:29 am
What was this update??? I can’t even see my business emails, the contact screen is a mess, I can’t hear Siri among other issues. It is a real mess!!!
Jack Black
10/05/2015 at 10:13 pm
Propaganda, b.s. IOS 9.0.2 on ipad 3 sucks. Thanks a lot, I’ll never trust this site again for advice.
Jansen
10/06/2015 at 4:48 am
My 5C freezes on sign in, search assumes I want contacts not word association, Maps refuses to talk, battery life is 75% of previous and am getting multiple peoples’ texts! At this point I do not see one redeeming feature. My company made me upgrade for security against the team’s better judgement. An unmitigated flop.My paranoid self believes they want to force everyone to a hardware upgrade
helen axtman
08/12/2016 at 7:25 pm
is it really neccesary to upgrade to IOS 9.02
helen axtman
08/12/2016 at 7:26 pm
it’s taking forever to finish