Technologies

iOS 15: Rumors, release date and everything we know so far

We’re only a month or so away from iOS 15’s general release in the fall. Here’s what we know about all the new features.

We’re only about a month away from iOS 15’s expected release date, based on Apple’s history of releasing new mobile operating systems. While we don’t have an exact date, there’s plenty we do know from Apple’s new iOS update and the many features it’s packing.

We got a first look at Apple’s iOS 15 update at the company’s virtual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, followed by a developer beta and now a public beta. (Here’s how to download the iOS 15 public beta and the three things you need to know before installing.) A fourth iteration of the new operating system, called iOS 15 beta 4, has been released for developers as we anticipate a general release of the new OS in early fall.

While we saw a lot of new features arrive this spring with iOS 14.5 and iOS 14.6, including being able to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, stop apps from tracking you for advertising purposes and choose from four Siri voices, iOS 15 adds even more. (iOS 14.7 was also released earlier this month.) New iOS 15 features include the ability to start FaceTime calls with Android users, easier sharing in iMessage and better directions in Maps. Keep reading for everything we’ve learned about iOS 15 so far, including when it will be generally released, how to download it and some of the biggest new features.

iOS 15 release date: Fall 2021

Apple revealed iOS 15 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, as is typical. The new OS was first available for developers to test and became available to download as a public beta on June 30.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the final version of iOS 15 will launch in the fall. It’s likely that this will happen in September, alongside the launch of the iPhone 13.

iOS 15 new features

Here are a few of the key new features coming to iOS 15, unveiled at WWDC 2021. (And here’s an overview of all of the new features in iOS 15.)

FaceTime upgrades: Spatial audio, support for Android and Windows

FaceTime will offer spatial audio to make people’s voices appear to come from their position on the screen, making your video chats feel more natural and lifelike. FaceTime will also start to look more like Zoom, allowing you to see all participants in a grid view, schedule calls and share links to calls that can be accessed via browser on Google Android and Microsoft Windows devices.

iMessage sharing features

iOS 15 adds some new iMessage sharing features for photos, news articles and playlists. When a friend sends you multiple photos over iMessage, they’ll appear in a dynamic collage formation that allows you to swipe through them or tap through to view the whole bunch in your photos app. If you want to access the same photos later, you’ll find them stored in a new Shared with You folder, as well as mixed in with your own featured photos and memories. You’ll also find news articles and playlists shared through iMessage in new Shared with You tabs in your News and Apple Music apps.

Apple Maps update: 3D street data, AR walking directions and weather warnings

Apple Maps gets an upgrade, with more elevation data, road colors and driving directions, rich labels, 3D landmarks and improved night mode. In terms of public transportation, you can also pin nearby public transit stops and station information to your iPhone and Apple Watch devices, and receive automatic updates and notifications as you ride and approach your stop. When traveling on foot, a new augmented reality feature lets you scan nearby buildings in the area with the iPhone’s camera to determine their precise position for more accurate walking directions, which are also presented in augmented reality.

Maps also could factor weather warnings into suggested routes in iOS 15. Redditor ChrisSDreiling, who spotted the update in iOS 15 beta 3, says Maps will let you know if there are flash floods on your journey, and suggest alternate routes to avoid the extreme weather. Although other types of weather alerts weren’t mentioned in ChrisSDreiling’s post, it will be interesting to see if more weather warnings will be added before the iOS 15 general release in the fall.

Facial recognition selfies to validate digital ID cards in the Wallet app

At WWDC this spring, Apple announced that it will add ID card support for the Wallet app in iOS 15, allowing you to carry digital versions of government-issued identification cards like your drivers license on your iPhone. But it’s unclear how exactly the new feature will work. According to code uncovered by 9to5Mac in the latest iOS 15 beta 4 for developers, Apple could be using facial recognition selfies to validate your digital ID cards when adding them to your wallet. Some banking apps already use this selfie validation feature to authenticate users when logging on with new devices.

How do you download iOS 15?

If you’d like to test out iOS 15 before it’s generally released in the fall, you can download it now as a public beta (check if your iPhone can run iOS 15 here). Just be warned: Betas are usually buggy, and we don’t recommend downloading them on your primary device. But if you want to, here’s how to download the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 betas. (And if the bugs get you down, here’s how to change back to iOS 14.)

Once iOS 15 is generally available in the fall (likely in September), Apple will probably send a notification letting you know you can update. Or you’ll be able to do it manually, by going to the Settings app > General > Software Update.

For more, here’s every iPhone 13 rumor we’ve heard so far. You can also take a look at the cool new features for WatchOS 8, the best things about MacOS Monterey and check if your computer is compatible with the new MacOS.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for April 16 #774

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for April 16, No. 774.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle could be tough. I understood the theme right away, but some of the answers are really difficult to unscramble. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: This is not working.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Leisure time.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

STEM, STEMS, STEAM, STEAMS, MAPS, TEES, RIFF, FEAR, FEAT, RATIO, REST

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

HOBBY, PASTIME, INTEREST, SIDELINE, RECREATION

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is JUSTFORFUN. To find it, start with the J that is the farthest-left letter on the top row, and wind down and then back up.

Technologies

T-Mobile Will Give You Up to $800 to Break Up With Your Old Carrier

T-Mobile’s current offer makes it easier to save money when you switch carriers.

We’ve just spotted a T-Mobile deal that lets you keep your phone and get up to $800 to break your current carrier contract. There are some terms and conditions you need to know, but this is a solid deal that can help you cut down on monthly expenses — something many of us are keen to do right now.

This T-Mobile offer is available to anyone who signs up for an Essentials Saver plan at $50 per month and enrolls in AutoPay using an eligible payment method. You’ll also have to bring your own phone. The good news? This deal will pay off any eligible phone for up to four lines.

Additionally, those who switch to T-Mobile and open a new line on the Essentials Saver plan can get up to $800 to break their current carrier contract. T-Mobile will provide a prepaid MasterCard with the total sum you’re eligible for within roughly 15 days. This benefit applies to up to four lines at a time.

Keep in mind that switching to Essentials Saver means you’ll also pay up to $3 in Monthly Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fees. Taxes may also apply every month. The Essentials Saver plan includes high-speed data in the US only, and slower data (128 kbps) in Mexico and Canada. Travel to other countries requires purchasing extra data. Any prepaid MasterCard received expires in six months. These are only some of the applicable terms and conditions.

Looking for a new phone carrier, but not sure if this deal is for you? Check out our list of the best cellphone plans for more options.

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Get an iPhone 17 Pro Free With Trade-in and Qualifying Plan at T-Mobile
Google Pixel 10 Pro 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian):

$749 (save $250)
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 128GB Unlocked Phone (Awesome Black):

$298 (save $102)
Motorola Edge 256GB Unlocked Phone (2024 Model, Midnight Blue):

$241 (save $310)
Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian):

$499 (save $300)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

Switching to a different carrier can make it easier to qualify for deals that aren’t usually available to current customers, and this T-Mobile deal is no exception. Not only can you get up to $800 to break your current contract, but this deal applies to up to four lines if you bring your own phone. Though there’s no stated deadline, we suggest acting fast to start saving on your monthly phone bill.

Technologies

Denon’s New AVR-S980H Breaks Receiver Drought for Home Theater Fans

The Dolby Atmos receiver includes improved streaming support and extra gaming features.

Samsung-owned Denon has unveiled the long-awaited follow-up to its AVR-S970H receiver, the AVR-S980H, which boasts better music streaming and gaming support.

The Denon AVR-S980H is a 5.1.2-channel (7.1) Dolby Atmos receiver that boasts 90 watts per channel, which should be enough to power most home theater speakers.

Connectivity is consistent with the previous model, with six HDMI inputs — three 4K and three 8K/4K 120Hz ports — plus two HDMI outputs. If you’re a gamer, the inputs also support 1440p pass-through and AMD FreeSync.

Streaming support is improved, with Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect and HEOS multiroom. The Denon is also Roon Ready, which means it can be streamed directly from the Roon software.

Read more: Best AV Receiver for 2026

The receiver also supports Denon’s own Home speakers as rears, including the new 200, 400 and 600 models.

The Denon includes a phono input, which means you can plug a turntable into it for a potential boost in sound quality.

It’s been a rough few years for AV fans, with very few new receivers since the end of the pandemic. The AVR-S980H may mark a resurgence of sorts. I look forward to testing this model to see how it stacks up against its elderly competition.

The Denon AVR-S980H will be available this month for $949, only $50 more than the previous version.