Safari in iOS 15 looks to be getting its own dark mode function, alongside better features for your privacy involving cookies.
Apple’s web browser works off an engine called WebKit, similar to how Google’s Chrome browser is powered by an engine called Chromium.
But as WebKit is an open-source project hosted on GitHub, which allows any developer to add their programming to the engine, there have been some new features uncovered that may see an appearance in iOS 15.4, or iOS 16.
While there may be a rumored March event coming, it does raise the question of whether more regular updates should appear to Apple’s apps, instead of waiting for a major iOS update every year.
Analysis: More regular updates for Safari are very welcome
In the last few years, since iOS 13, Apple has made a concerted effort to roll out more features to its software across multiple releases, instead of aiming to have all of them arrive in one big release alongside the latest iPhone.
iOS 13.4 was a great example where mouse support was brought to the iPad line, alongside the Magic Keyboard peripheral which included a trackpad.
But Safari has had a rough ride recently, with its new design at WWDC 2021 criticized by users, then rolled back significantly once iOS 15 and macOS Monterey were released in September 2021.
There’s currently a design that is halfway between what was shown in 2021, and what every Apple user has had since Safari 1.0 in 2007 with the original iPhone.
However, new features such as a custom dark mode and more privacy options could give more faith to users of Apple’s web browser that the company isn’t focusing on a new look that just wasn’t needed or asked for. Instead, there are features coming up that’s going to benefit their privacy, and how the browser will look in a different shade of dark.
For that, at least, is a sign that Apple is not only listening to what its users want in software, but also bringing the features out for .1 releases, way before the rumored WWDC event happens in June this year once again and we most likely hear about what the company has in store for its next major software updates.
Via 9To5Mac