Your Digital Assistant: iPhone 15 and its Next-Level Utility Features

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 series will likely make the switch from the Lightning port to USB-C. Renowned insider Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have both claimed this is a lock for the new phones.

Both will also reportedly use a different version of the UWB chip from the current generation, upgrading to a 7nm process. This will enable faster Find My and Precision Finding features.

Dolby Vision HDR Recording

Apple’s Dolby Vision HDR recording is a very interesting feature, but it’s also a niche one. Dolby Vision is an HDR format that requires both the device processing the video and the display it’s being played on to be compatible. If you try to play an HDR-only file on a non-compatible device, it’ll look washed out and weird.

To solve this, Dolby Vision creates dynamic metadata for the image on a frame-by-frame basis that converts it to SDR. This information is then embedded in the final HLG file.

Unlike the more common camera log formats like Apple ProRes, Dolby Vision’s metadata is buried directly within the video file itself. The resulting files are smaller but still offer high-dynamic range and wide color gamut images.

It’s also worth noting that Vimeo supports Dolby Vision, which suggests this isn’t just a cutting edge feature for iPhone 12 users but a way to lure creatives over to its platform and keep them there. The only drawback is that these Dolby Vision-encoded videos take up a lot of storage space, so you’ll need to have an iCloud or external storage plan big enough for them. If you don’t, you can disable HDR recording in the Settings app by tapping on Camera > Record Video and toggling it off.

AirPods Pro Compatibility

Apple’s AirPods Pro will have an impressive new feature this fall. According to a report by Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, the headsets will include a hearing test that plays different tones in your ears to see how well you can hear. The goal is to help users screen for hearing issues, similar to how the Apple Watch’s ECG app checks your heart.

Apple will also add a feature that allows iPhone 15 Pro owners to play the same audio in both of their ears with stereo. You’ll still need to have a compatible pair of Apple headphones, but you’ll be able to switch the audio between your left and right ear with Siri or using a new feature in iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.

The AirPods Pro will also have a MagSafe charging case that provides up to 5 hours of battery life. When you’re on a phone call, the audio will automatically switch to your left ip15 128gb or right ear. Apple says the feature will be available starting this autumn, with availability expanding over time.

iPhone 15 Camera Panorama

As simple as the native Camera app is, there are times when you want something more advanced. Panoramas are one such mode that can help you capture panoramic pictures with ease.

Apple’s iOS 6 introduced panoramic capture which combines multiple frames into a single image. It works similar to a wide angle or fisheye external lens, but without the distortion. You can also swivel your device up or down while panning to change the direction in which you’re taking your panoramic shots.

You’ll be able to use this feature by opening your Camera app and tapping on the Panorama mode. This will give you a viewfinder and a white arrow pointing left or right. Just pan slowly to take the photo. You can also tap the arrow to revert back to the default left-to-right panning.

There are a number of apps on the iOS app store that offer panoramic capture and image stitching. For example, Photaf lets you create and share iPhone panoramas on Facebook and is ad-free. It costs $4 and includes a Pro version that lets you upload images to your computer and HD panoramic wallpaper creations.