These iOS 12 improvements will help you live a less stressful digital life

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in iOS
iOS 12 has a long-awaited "Digital Health" suite of enhancements, which along with other tweaks will greatly help users live a less stressful digital life. AppleInsider delves into all of iOS 12's quality of life improvements, and talks about how they'll help the iPhone-addicted.



Screen Time

The most prominent of the new features is Screen Time. Screen Time has several different facets, but for the majority of users it will give them insights into how much they are using their devices, where they spend the most time, and provides tools to help to reduce their usage overall.

Inside of the settings app, a new section for Screen Time helps get everything set up. On top is a high-level overview of the current day's usage. It splits it up between categories such as Health & Fitness, Productivity, Entertainment, and others.

iOS 12 Screen Time Usage metrics


Jumping into that mini widget shows a much more granular view. The widget shows sessions lengths, most used categories, how many times the phone is picked up broken out per hour and in total, and how may notifications come in and from what apps. Seeing some of these numbers may help encourage users to put their phones down and have less screen time.

To help keep iPhone use time down, there is a specific category of Screen Time known as Downtime. This can be used to only allow certain apps to be accessed during times that the user wants to wind down, and get ready for bed. During these Downtime hours, if an app is opened that isn't white-listed, an alert will appear letting the user know that access is restricted.

Apple's approach to this for individual users, however, is very laissez-faire. Users can still ignore this limit with a single tap. After that tap, Screen Time will prompt them again in either 15 minutes to give it a rest, or it will ignore the limit the rest of the day.

All apps that are off limits during downtime will be darkened, with an hourglass icon pointing out the restriction.

Disabled Apps during Downtime


For parents, App Limits can be configured on a child's device to keep tabs on what the kid is doing, and what sites are being visited on the web through Family Sharing. Yes, every website.

Given the trio of responsible and involved parenting, existing limitations in the Restrictions preference pane, and Screen Time, for the first time on iOS parents can have granular control and monitoring of the device spanning from no access to the internet at all to a completely unbound device.

Notifications

Notifications got a huge makeover in iOS 12. They are finally able to be grouped together, making dealing with notifications quicker, and much less stressful.

iOS 12 Grouped Notifications


Users can use Instant Tuning to adjust their notifications on the fly too. When a notification comes in, a swipe to the left, and a tap on Manage brings up Instant Tuning controls.

Notification instant tuning


Without ever touching the Settings app, notifications for an app can be turned off, or "Delivered Quietly". Deliver Quietly will send notifications to Notification Center, but won't alert you on the screen. This is handy for things that users want to keep track of, but don't need to be bothered with constantly.

Another new improvement is Bedtime mode. Bedtime mode will help ease users back into notifications as they wake up. Notifications that are delivered overnight in Do Not Disturb mode will be delivered quietly into Notification Center, leaving the lock screen empty in the A.M.

Bedtime Mode in iOS 12


With iOS 12, there is need to start the day stressed out by a barrage of emails, Twitter alerts, and more right out of the gate. Deal with them on your own time, and in your own way.

Siri Shortcuts

A new feature added to Siri is trying to assist your digital life even more. Siri Shortcuts are quick actions that Siri can perform for users, making interactions quicker and easier.

Siri FaceTime shortcut


Shortcuts come from two locations -- they can be set up directly within apps once developers update with support for iOS 12, or be created from scratch by the user. Soon, a new Shortcuts app will be released that helps users create their own and gives inspiration through popular "recipes" of tasks.

Apple listed and demonstrated a variety of different examples how Shortcuts can be used, from the simple to the complex. Some of Apple's concepts include:

  • "Siri, I'm leaving" could start the car, lock the door, turn off the lights, and adjust the thermostat.

  • "Siri, find my keys" could trigger your Tile tracker to ring.

  • "Siri, I had another cup of coffee" could log the caffeine in the health app.

  • "Siri, feed my dog" could dispense food from your HomeKit pet feeder.

  • "Siri, get me home" could book an Uber and text your family you're on your way back.

Apple says that Shortcuts users will be able to download 1,100 already composed solutions for problems. While we're not sure if users will be able to share Shortcuts with other iPhone owners, the available pool should rapidly grow as app developers chime in on the subject.

Other improvements

iOS 12 also has a number of small improvements to cut back on some long-standing user difficulties.

Everybody has tried to search for a song by lyrics without knowing the title. Instead of trying to Google it, lyrics can be searched right within Music.

iOS 12 Apple Music lyric search


Face ID users are now able to rescan quickly if it fails to authenticate. Now, just a simple swipe will rescan Face ID, granting access to the phone. Much easier for users.

One-time passwords, which can often be as annoying as much as they are useful, are now auto-suggested by the QuickType keyboard. The quick retrieval makes easier to gain access to secure apps and websites.

Of course, one of the biggest improvements is faster speed overall. Opening the Share Sheet, launching the camera, and opening apps are all noticeably quicker throughout iOS 12 on both new and old hardware. This again makes the whole user experience smoother, faster, and enjoyable for the user -- and AppleInsider will be talking about this more in the days to come.

Quality of life is ultimately up to the user

Apple took the right approach to the problem. Instead of forcing limits on an adult's device, or making the user jump through hoops to bypass a limit, they are skippable with little effort and easily tailorable.

Of course, success of these features for any given user relies on that same user realizing that they, themselves established the limits on the phone for a reason. Plus, in the case of Siri's Shortcuts, they need to be properly configured and customized first to be a help and not a hindrance to the user.

The data that Apple provides is more than enough to give the user information to make informed judgements about device usage, making it a good tool. But, any good tool loses practicality if wielded improperly, or ignored.

This won't help the "five more minutes" crowd, or the "got to check the 2AM email from the boss" types who will keep tapping to ignore a limit even in the dark of night. So, like maintaining the discipline for daily work-outs that Apple facilitated with the Apple Watch, the user has to be an active, and willing, participant in the process.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 31
    nunzynunzy Posts: 662member
    Just watch the media try to turn this into some sort of a bad thing.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 31
    CheeseFreezeCheeseFreeze Posts: 1,247member
    All really great additions and refinements! 👍👍👍
  • Reply 3 of 31
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    Don't know if read this quote here or elsewhere so here goes...

    Nobody blames Napa Valley wine makers for causing alcoholism so why are tech companies like Apple being blamed for the pseudo-science claims of iPhone addiction? 

    To me this whole thing is a media invention to stir up the populace in yet another attempt to blame corporations for our own lack of personal control. I am a child of the sixties yet I never experimented with mind altering drugs or tobacco. I've been drunk only twice in my 68 years (when a high school classmate died at 16 and at my bachelor party). When I broke a rib I refused opioid pain pills and stuck with Ibuprofen. Why? Because the lure of the drugs were outweighed by my personal determination not to lose control of myself, my personality, my ethics, and more.



    edited June 2018 StrangeDayswatto_cobrajony0muthuk_vanalingam
  • Reply 4 of 31
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member

    nunzy said:
    Just watch the media try to turn this into some sort of a bad thing.
    They already have...

    https://www.wired.com/story/apple-screen-time-digital-wellness-tech-addiction
    nunzywatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 31
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member

    • "Siri, I had another cup of coffee" could log the caffeine in the health app." 


    Thanks to my calendar and reminders, I already have zero working memory and have become fully dependent.   I'd rather throw myself through a plate glass window than track my caffeine intake.  I'm a teacher and have kids for christ's sake.  
    minicoffeewatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 31
    petiegpetieg Posts: 24member
    Giving your kids an 'allowance' for say, Instagram is going to stress them out...!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 31
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,858administrator
    lkrupp said:
    Don't know if read this quote here or elsewhere so here goes...

    Nobody blames Napa Valley wine makers for causing alcoholism so why are tech companies like Apple being blamed for the pseudo-science claims of iPhone addiction? 

    To me this whole thing is a media invention to stir up the populace in yet another attempt to blame corporations for our own lack of personal control. I am a child of the sixties yet I never experimented with mind altering drugs or tobacco. I've been drunk only twice in my 68 years (when a high school classmate died at 16 and at my bachelor party). When I broke a rib I refused opioid pain pills and stuck with Ibuprofen. Why? Because the lure of the drugs were outweighed by my personal determination not to lose control of myself, my personality, my ethics, and more.



    The last four paragraphs in the AI story may be of interest.

    fastasleepwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 31
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,858administrator
    petieg said:
    Giving your kids an 'allowance' for say, Instagram is going to stress them out...!
    I suspect that them knowing that Mom and Dad know every site they visit may cause more.
    MORGiONGeorgeBMacwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 31
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    Apple should know that virtue signallers will never be satisfied. Their self actualisation demands they be angry about company Zed's failure to do something they think it should be doing.  
    I think it is because nobody does tie dye or macrame anymore.  
    edited June 2018
  • Reply 10 of 31
    jungmarkjungmark Posts: 6,926member
    It's a pseudo problem. You wanna stop "smartphone addiction?" Don't get a smart phone. People use smartphone a lot because they are engaged with it. They use it because they're bored with their environment. 

    If it was a real addiction, you would avoid it to begin with. Recovering Alcoholics don't limit themselves to one drink. They don't drink at all.
    entropyswatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 31
    FolioFolio Posts: 698member
    For a company used to inventing what most others have never imagined, not to mention its huge size, it’s great to see how responsive they are. Not insular. It’s apparent they put some thought into this, and are leading in a different way. Hats off to you Apple.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 31
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,335member
    My digital life is working just fine. It's my analog life that is still a work in progress.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 31
    jd_in_sbjd_in_sb Posts: 1,600member
    I’d trade all these features to be able to automatically go to home screen after Face ID login instead of having to swipe up again and again throughout the day. 
  • Reply 14 of 31
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,408member
    petieg said:
    Giving your kids an 'allowance' for say, Instagram is going to stress them out...!
    I suspect that them knowing that Mom and Dad know every site they visit may cause more.
    I wonder if that includes privacy-centric browsers like Firefox Focus or apps' built-in browsers (like in 1Password etc). 
  • Reply 15 of 31
    CheeseFreezeCheeseFreeze Posts: 1,247member
    jungmark said:
    It's a pseudo problem. You wanna stop "smartphone addiction?" Don't get a smart phone. People use smartphone a lot because they are engaged with it. They use it because they're bored with their environment. 

    If it was a real addiction, you would avoid it to begin with. Recovering Alcoholics don't limit themselves to one drink. They don't drink at all.
    You can’t compare additions that way. If you’re a sex addict, you don’t stop having sex completely. A smart phone addiction, if this is a real thing, is being hooked to a device that has a useful purpose, is a tool. A sigarette isn’t. Also, sigarettes and alcohol affect your body - chemicals and stuff. A phone does not and is much more an ‘intellectual addiction’.
  • Reply 16 of 31
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,265member

    lkrupp said:

    nunzy said:
    Just watch the media try to turn this into some sort of a bad thing.
    They already have...

    https://www.wired.com/story/apple-screen-time-digital-wellness-tech-addiction


    Was the Wired story the one where he says "Apple introduced screen limiting options and then went on to introduce Memojis"?

    I'm not even going to dignify the story by clicking on the link, but if it is the same article, it was taken down brilliantly by the Macalope:

    https://www.macworld.com/article/3279704/ios/woe-no-apple-failed-to-cure-tech-addiction.html

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 31
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,408member

    lkrupp said:

    nunzy said:
    Just watch the media try to turn this into some sort of a bad thing.
    They already have...

    https://www.wired.com/story/apple-screen-time-digital-wellness-tech-addiction


    Was the Wired story the one where he says "Apple introduced screen limiting options and then went on to introduce Memojis"?

    I'm not even going to dignify the story by clicking on the link, but if it is the same article, it was taken down brilliantly by the Macalope:

    https://www.macworld.com/article/3279704/ios/woe-no-apple-failed-to-cure-tech-addiction.html

    I saw a Mashable article on Apple News saying "Apple finally fixed the worst feature of iPhone X" (or something similar), and guess what it was about — the fact you had to press for 1 second to enable closing apps. I sent it to Safari to see if there was a comment section and they had updated the headline to something more innocuous like "Apple makes it easier to close iOS 12 apps" or whatever. Either way, the author thought the worst thing ever was that he had to wait 1s to start closing all of his apps, which he did "frequently" — never mind the fact that we all know this is a fool's errand and a huge waste of time. 

    I very much hate the state of blogging titles these days. AI is generally free from this criticism, which why I love this site :)
    StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 31
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    Excellent review!   Thank you AI!

    Now, let the battles between parents and kids begin!   With:  parents trying to do the right thing while kids try to do the wrong thing(s).  Ultimately the kids always win that contest.   But, the mere fact that the parent's tried produces the biggest benefit:  Teaching what is right and what is stupid.

    But, feeding off the strengths of Apple Watch, I would like to see Apple add one more parental control:   Make the kid earn screen time with exercise time!   Say:  30 minutes of vigorous exercise earns 60 minutes of Snapchat time...  Closing your rings earns 2 hours of screen time the next day...   etc, etc., etc.,....   Whichever way you look at it, you end up with a healthier kid.
    watto_cobramuthuk_vanalingam
  • Reply 19 of 31
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,844member

    lkrupp said:

    nunzy said:
    Just watch the media try to turn this into some sort of a bad thing.
    They already have...

    https://www.wired.com/story/apple-screen-time-digital-wellness-tech-addiction


    Was the Wired story the one where he says "Apple introduced screen limiting options and then went on to introduce Memojis"?

    I'm not even going to dignify the story by clicking on the link, but if it is the same article, it was taken down brilliantly by the Macalope:

    https://www.macworld.com/article/3279704/ios/woe-no-apple-failed-to-cure-tech-addiction.html

    I saw a Mashable article on Apple News saying "Apple finally fixed the worst feature of iPhone X" (or something similar), and guess what it was about — the fact you had to press for 1 second to enable closing apps. I sent it to Safari to see if there was a comment section and they had updated the headline to something more innocuous like "Apple makes it easier to close iOS 12 apps" or whatever. Either way, the author thought the worst thing ever was that he had to wait 1s to start closing all of his apps, which he did "frequently" — never mind the fact that we all know this is a fool's errand and a huge waste of time. 

    I very much hate the state of blogging titles these days. AI is generally free from this criticism, which why I love this site :)
    Indeed. Crummier platforms like Android have trained casual users that they need to manage their device and create work for themselves. Sad. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 31
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member

     ...like Android
    Yeah, what about Android... :/
    edited June 2018
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