10 Reasons to Install iOS 10 Sooner Rather Than Later

Despite a glitch that Apple fixed quickly, iOS 10 looks like a nice upgrade—with enhancements to iMessage, many bug fixes and the ability for third-party developers to access Siri.

Apple’s iMessage has received a makeover in iOS 10. The app now includes the ability for users to digitally “write” messages to others, instead of just sending text, as well as access to rich links that provide previews to content shared by senders. The app features support for stickers that can be appended to content, as well as a new “invisible ink” feature so messages can remain hidden until the recipient reveals them.

Those who own the iPhone 6s or newer models of the handset will benefit from new 3D Touch features built into iOS 10. The operating system will come with the ability for users to vary the amount of pressure they apply to the screen and get a quick glance at important information, including what the weather will be like, upcoming calendar events and more. Apple is essentially using 3D Touch as a way to get users easy access to information it previously took a few taps to get to.

Apple has been testing iOS 10 for the last several months to get as many hands on its operating system as possible and find glitches that could cause it to break down. More importantly, it has wanted to make sure the operating system’s new features work as prescribed. All of that should give users some confidence in knowing iOS 10 is more reliable than its early install problems might suggest.

For years, Apple has kept its virtual personal assistant Siri under wraps, but in iOS 10, that has all changed. Now, third-party app developers can access Siri and use the virtual assistant to let users shout out commands, request a ride from car-sharing service Lyft, and more. Apple’s Siri integration is an important step in making the virtual assistant more appealing.

For the first time, iOS 10 comes with an app called Home that allows users to control hundreds of smart home devices. Apple said at its iPhone 7 media briefing Sept. 7 that hundreds more devices would support Home in the coming months.

Apple Music received a big overhaul in iOS 10. The streaming music service now makes it easier for users to find content and has simplified its design. Apple Music also comes with a smarter algorithm that can intelligently analyze a user’s listening behavior and provide more relevant music recommendations through its “For You” page.

Apple’s notifications have received a much-needed overhaul with help from rich notifications. In iOS 10, when a user receives a link to a webpage, image or video, a preview of that content will be displayed in the notification, allowing the person to decide whether to click it or not. The rich notifications also mean users can respond to a message right within the notification rather than be forced to jump into another app.

Apple Pay has come to Safari. In iOS 10, users can go to an e-retailer’s website and make a purchase. If that e-retailer supports Apple Pay, it’ll show that as an option. Owners of devices with Apple Pay set up can then make a purchase using Apple’s proprietary platform rather than input credit card information.

Apple’s built-in virtual keyboard now includes a contextual prediction engine. That engine is capable of analyzing what a person is typing, and based on earlier conversations and other contextual clues, provide better recommendations for what to type next. For instance, if a user types something similar to “I’m available at,” the keyboard will display free times in Apple Calendar that can be tapped on and quickly added to an email, message or other correspondence.

There’s little risk in downloading Apple’s iOS 10. As long as users back up their data before deciding to download the software, they can update to iOS 10 at no charge and see if they like it. If they end up deciding that it has too many problems or just isn’t right for them, they can go back to iOS 9 with a back-up. Granted, Apple doesn’t make it so easy to back up to older iOS versions, but it is possible, and having that flexibility takes some of the risk out of downloading the new operating system.