iOS 10 release date, news and features

iOS 10 release date

Apple is once again planning a staggered iOS 10 release date among app developers, public beta testers and then everyone else who wants to wait for the final version.

Technically, iOS 10 is out right now, launching the same day as WWDC in beta form to developers. It's not ready for average iPhone and iPad users who aren't making apps just yet.

Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long to test out iOS 10 on your own. Apple is planning an iOS 10 public beta in July, and it'll help squash bugs two months before the official release date.

iOS 10 compatibility

iOS 10 is coming to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, unless of course you have an age-old phone or tablet that still uses the 30-pin dock connector or is an older iPod touch.

That's where Apple draws the new line in the sand for 2016. Its forthcoming mobile operating system update won't support for iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPod touch 5th gen.

It's not a big surprise. In addition to their non-lightning connections, these devices include 512MB of RAM and stuck around for iOS 9 when we thought they'd be axed from that update last year.

iOS 10 raise to wake

Apple has redesigned the iPhone and iPad lockscreen, giving us the biggest revision since the first iPhone nine years ago. Slide to unlock is gone and replaced with simple instructions: "Press Home to open."

Apple Maps is way better

iOS 10 fixes my biggest complaint about Apple Maps - its inability to scroll ahead on a route. Right now, Maps annoyingly springs you back to your current location whenever you try to look anywhere else.

You'll be free to pan and zoom around the map with the new Apple Maps update and the navigation software is also dynamically zooming in and out of long stretches and complex interchanges.

Apple Music

Apple Music with iOS 10 is being redesigned for its 15 million paid subscribers, and it "allows the music to be the hero," according to Apple. It lets the cover art stand out.

Apple Music

Apple Music with iOS 10 is being redesigned for its 15 million paid subscribers, and it "allows the music to be the hero," according to Apple. It lets the cover art stand out.