User Notifications
‘Rich Notifications’ allow greater interaction with app notifications from the lock screen (reply, view videos, etc) and this functionality is increased for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus owners with 3D Touch.
Apple has also updated the look of the notifications so they are colorful and cartoonish.
There are two new frameworks available on iOS 10 that allow create more interactive and robust system notifications.
UserNotifications.framework
Gives developers more control over the timing of their local notifications, which can now be displayed based on various time and location parameters.
UserNotificationsUi.framework
Allows some basic controls over how your app’s notifications look and react to user input.
iMessage Overhaul
They should prove fun with more “personal and expressive” options like balloon animations, handwritten notes, loads of new emoji, gif libraries and ‘invisible ink’ (including hidden and self erasing messages). Users will also be able to watch videos directly within iMessage.
Siri
Siri can help you get things done — even when your app isn’t open , like sending messages and placing calls. Siri works hands-free, so you can ask it to show you the best route home and what your ETA is while driving. And it’s tuned in to the world, working with Wikipedia, Bing!, Shazam and other online services to get you even more answers.
Raise To Wake
With iOS 10 iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus users will find lifting their handset to eye level will automatically wake up their phones.
Home App
This will be a single app to aggregate all IoT products you own which use HomeKit. Think lights, thermostats, even the front door lock.You can control any home kit enabled accessory via home app.
Apple Photos
Users will get a ‘Memories’ tab that automatically picks out photos and trips to make collages, videos and slideshows. It will also be able to recognize photos so users can search by location or description (eg ‘Berlin’, or ‘Beach’) to filter shots.
One key difference in Apple Photos is this all takes place on your phone, while Google Photos uses the power of the Cloud.
Apple Maps
With iOS 10, Apple Maps is getting ever closer to becoming a credible Google Maps alternative. Aside from a tweaked UI (larger buttons, cleaner typeface), it can now scan your calendar and recognize your routine automatically (think how Google Now integrates with Google Maps).
Apple Maps can also now match Google Maps’ ability to locate gas stations, restaurants, etc on route and how stopping at one will affect your arrival time. It has integrated with third party apps as well like OpenTable and Uber so you can book a restaurant or call a cab without leaving Maps.
Apple Music
There’s a new Search tab, support to display lyrics and a cleaner UI throughout the Library.
Clock
A new ‘Bedtime Alarm’ mode can automatically add sleep schedule reminders in accordance with user preferences.
Notes
Notes finally allows for collaboration. A feature iOS has been crying out for and which allows it to compete a little better with rivals like Google Keep, Evernote and Wunderlist.
Apple News
In iOS 10 Apple News gets a redesigned For You section broken into categories like trending news and specialist topics. Subscription support has also been added for major publications like the The Wall Street Journal.
iPad Exclusive
One small but welcome iPad exclusive is the ability to use Split View with Safari tabs. Previously Split View was app specific, but being able to see two browser tabs at once is great for things like product and price comparisons.
Differential Privacy
Finally, knowing it’s a key sales driver over Google, Apple made a big deal about privacy in iOS 10. Aside from more on device processing of things like Photos Memories, is ‘Differential Privacy’ which actively tracks user habits to better anticipate user needs. Think Spotlight, QuickType and emoji suggestions and more.
