iOS 10 Opens Siri to Developers, Beefs Up HomeKit, More

Apple gave us a preview look at iOS 10 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch at Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday. The new version opens Siri to developers, adds more device categories to HomeKit, and more.

iOS 10 is loaded with new features for the iPhone and iPadiOS 10 is loaded with new features for the iPhone and iPad

The big news for most developers is access to Siri for their own apps. The feature will open the door for telling Siri to perform actions outside of the limited set of controls we were previously constrained to. Siri also integrates with the onscreen keyboard to offer better contextual word suggestions when you're typing.

iOS 10 enhances the lock screen view with the ability to lift your iPhone to see notifications instead of requiring you to tap a button and potentially miss something important. Users can interact with apps on the lock screen, use 3D Touch to access app content from the lock screen.

Control Center—accessible by swiping up from the bottom of the screen—is redesigned with a new music access area and easier quicker camera access.

Maps will be open to developers, and includes up to date traffic data in navigation. New on-screen controls make it easier to see your route, and useful locations such as gas stations. The new Maps features will also be available in CarPlay.

Photos on iOS now includes facial recognition and object recognition for more useful searches. A new Memories features auto-groups images based on what you're currently viewing. The app can now auto-build slideshows with music for photo groups you can view on-device or Apple TV.


iOS 10 is getting a completely redesigned Music app with quicker access to our personal music libraries, new navigation for playlists and albums, and support for viewing song lyrics. It also includes new daily curated playlists, and an updated Beats 1 view.

Apple News is getting subscription support and a redesigned interface Apple thinks it'll make it easier for readers to view content, plus it offers a breaking news section, too.

HomeKit is getting support for a much larger selection of devices such as cameras and door locks, and an Apple-created HomeKit controller app called Home. The Home app will be available through Control Center, too.

iOS 10 includes voicemail transcription and the ability to report calls as spam. Developers will have access to a VoIP API to integrate apps such as WhatsApp so users automatically start calls and conversations based on per-contact preferences.

Messages is getting Slack-like rich links for content displayed in chats, support for identifying words that have matching emoji, bubble effect animations, invisible ink for hiding a message until you swipe on it, handwritten text, and Apple Watch-like Digital Touch for sharing drawings and your heart beat.

Developers are getting access to Messages, too, so they can make their own iMessage apps. That means we'll be seeing custom stickers, and new ways to pay for goods and services inside Messages.

iOS 10 developer preview is available today, and a public beta will be available in July. The official release is coming this fall.