Apple’s iOS9 was first unveiled in June of this year at WWDC 2015. It offered a glimpse into the near future for iDevices and allowed us to see just what’s in store. Usually, aside from a few preview phones to play with, this would be it until release. However, Apple is doing things differently this time and allowing users to trial the next operating system before release.

So what’s new? As far as we know, iOS 9 will include a better version of Siri, improved Apple Maps, Apple News as replacement for Newsstand, better multitasking capabilities for iPad, a new keyboard and plenty of efficiency improvements and bug fixes.

Apple has worked hard to make Siri as good as Google Now and the improvements coming in iOS 9 go a long way to doing that. Siri will have a better understanding of context and will be able to understand “it” and “this” by seeing what apps you have open and attributing the command to the app. Siri will also be able to scan e-mails and texts to see if a calling number matches any of them. Siri will also remember where and how you used it last and what you were doing, which will make the device much better to live with. For instance, if you last listened to a particular playlist while wearing headphones, Siri will load that playlist when you connect them.

Apple Maps will include public transport info in major cities too which will help those living there. True multitasking will be coming to iPads, allowing more productive apps to be used at once. A new look keyboard will be an option too, with new menu options and a much more intuitive layout and gesture capability. Fixes include better battery management for longer life, more performance tweaks for the CPU and GPU, a smaller download size and the ability to keep your personal data and downloads intact when upgrading the iOS. It’s a small but very important feature.

The full version of iOS 9 is due this autumn.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.