Release day for the new iPhone might as well be Christmas for Apple fanboys. The only difference is, you know exactly what you’re going to get. This year it’s the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, and they come packaged with an additional gift: iOS 9. The updated version of Apple’s mobile operating system is best experienced on the new devices, thanks to new hardware that makes the 3D Touch feature possible. But even the folks missing out on unboxing an iPhone 6S can enjoy new features on their existing devices.
Here are some of the best apps for experiencing everything iOS 9 and the iPhone 6S have to offer.
Apple’s News app might have its sights set on topping apps like Flipboard, but everyone’s favorite reader app is already gearing itself up for a fight by embracing the new capabilities of iOS 9. With the update, Flipboard can be searched via Spotlight, meaning results for sources, stories, and topics will come up quicker. Links will also open inside Flipboard, instead of sending you out to Safari.
1Password
With the amount of personal information we entrust to our phones, it only makes sense to keep passwords as secure as possible. 1Password is a reliable password manager, and one that is embracing iOS 9. A recent update makes split-screened multitasking with the app possible on some iPads, enabling you to access your password vault in a snap. It also supports Spotlight search.
Hulu
Hulu is clearly excited about the picture-in-picture feature of iOS 9, as the streaming service has already pushed out an update to allow its users to take advantage of the function. You’ll be able to keep the show you’re watching running on screen as you back out to take care of other things. Sifting through your inbox is much more tolerable when the latest episode of Scandal is keeping you company while you do it.
Clips
Clips is an app that seems like it’s just been waiting for the features of iOS 9 to arrive. The app is designed for copying and pasting content, which will be a breeze with the new multitasking and split view features. Instead of copying, saving, and backing out of the app to get to where you want to go, you’ll be able to pull up the other app alongside Clips and transfer the content quickly.
Everyone’s favorite microblogging platform is ready for iOS 9 with a modest update that includes universal links that open directly in the Twitter app, instead of launching Safari. Twitter is also making it easier to respond to tweets by giving users the ability to interact with tweets directly from the notifications bar. That means when you get mentioned, you can reply without ever opening the app.
Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the first third-party apps to dive head first into the realm of 3D Touch. The cloud storage app will utilize the new function to give users quicker access to various app features. Holding down on the Dropbox app from the homescreen gives users shortcuts to view their most recently used file or folder, offline files, a quick upload file function, and search.
Most Pinterest users are already addicted to the app—they don’t need to be given a quicker fix. But that’s exactly what they’ll get with the 3D Touch capabilities applied to the virtual pin board. Pressing and holding the Pinterest app icon from the home screen allows users to search Pins, create a new board, and view popular and trending items. Spotlight search integration and multitasking features are also present.
Slack
Slack, the go-to app for digital office water cooler chatter, has added support for multitasking when using the service on the iPad. This means you’ll be able to keep your chat open as you browse through other apps. A new and improved in-app browser will also make it easier to access links without getting sent out of the app.
Ruby
More than likely, many fitness apps will come to make use of the features of iOS 9. But so far, Ruby is the earliest adopter. Sure, it’s not your typical fitness tracker — it’s specifically designed for keeping tabs on your sex life — but it has added iOS 9 support and allows for integration into Apple’s unifying Health app. Now you just have to, you know, go have sex.
Pocket is all about saving things for later, but with the update for iOS 9, you’ll be able to digest more content than ever before. Pocket has added support for picture-in-picture, so you can watch your saved videos while you use other apps. Spotlight search makes it easier to bring up the content you’ve kept, so you can find and access it quicker.
What iOS 9 apps have caught your eye so far? Share in the comments.
