iOS 14 Cleans Up Messy Notifications and Home Screens for Good
Customization and control are key as smartphone sales continue to decline
If the past few years of iPhone software have been about expanding features and apps, this year seems to be about reining in and corralling the glut.
Unlike the ambitious overhaul of iOS 11, stability-focused iOS 12, or better forgotten iOS 13, Apple’s upcoming iOS 14 promises to deliver a strong package of changes focused on user control and deeper levels of customization. More control and customization through software is crucial as Apple tries to do two things: drive new growth and pep up its products in between iPhone design cycles and amid flagging hardware sales overall.
The new iPhone 12 is rumored to look pretty samey, making the case for an upgrade possibly less appealing this year for some consumers — especially given that demand for pricey new phones is already sharply down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s bad news for Apple, which drew half its top line from the iPhone during the first three months of the year even as sales continued to slide. Revenue for the iPhone, Mac, and iPad fell 7%, 3%, and 10%, respectively, during the quarter.
On the other hand, Apple’s “Wearables, Home and Accessories’’ category, which includes the…
