For all you iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users, a new operating system, iOS 12, is available today.  Yes, I’ve already installed it on my iPhone (at 4:00 a.m. today).

The latest OS is full of new features.  More importantly, though, Apple has improved speed and security.  For instance, Apple says that the camera will open when you swipe upwards of 70% faster.  And the keyboard will appear more quickly, perhaps 50% faster than before.

Plus, there’s a long list of new features.  Here are a few of them:

• You can now FaceTime with up to 32 people at once
  
• You can choose from four new Animoji — koala, tiger, ghost, or T. rex – and you can use them in Messages and FaceTime
• You can set time limits for certain activities on your device and you’ll be notified when you’re close to those limits
• You can manage notifications right from the lock screen
• You can take advantage of an improved Siri by asking her new, different types of questions
• You can more easily turn on Do Not Disturb and have it automatically turn off when your meeting is over or you’ve left a certain place.

Again, these aren’t all the new features but it gives you an idea of what’s changed.  If you want to see all the new features, click HERE.

So, how do you get the new iOS 12?  Well, you could wait until Apple notifies you that it’s available or you can go to Settings – General – Software Update and Check For Updates. 

As with all major updates on any platform, make sure you have a backup of your device before updating.  You can check for this by going to Settings – Passwords and Accounts – iCloud – iCloud Backup.  This will show you whether iCloud Backup is on and, if so, when the last back-up was completed.