We are no longer living in a world where the maxim "you can't take back what you said" is entirely true. At least in the digital realm. At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) Apple unveiled its iOS 16 update, where among the many new features is the option to 'unsend' text messages. Farewell cringey late night texts, goodbye accidentally messaging your boss instead of your best friend – this is a game changer.
I can unsend all my simp texts now https://t.co/0YTcv3UgBm
— NE$$A (@Nessaamari) June 7, 2022
What's new in the Apple iOS 16 update?
Along with the unsend feature, users will soon have the option to edit recently sent texts and recover freshly deleted messages. On top of this, there will also be a feature that allows people to mark conversations as unread so that you can revisit them later – perfect for serial non-repliers like myself. Apple will also introduce SharePlay, a feature that will let you sync content like movies or songs with whoever you're messaging (where was this in lockdown?).
Although many of these features already exist on social media platforms like Instagram and on messaging apps like Skype and Microsoft Teams, the iOS 16 update is guaranteed to change the way we interact with each other.
As always, fellow citizens of the internet are torn on whether the changes are a blessing or completely unnecessary. The pros are straightforward: who hasn't dreamt of being able to retract drunken messages to an ex or edit a "ducking" to "f*cking"? And what about the times you've sent a searing hot piece of gossip to the person it was about? No, just me?
after i unsend that ‘you up?’ text on iOS 16: pic.twitter.com/QzFMheVXvS
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) June 6, 2022
The only acceptable time to use iMessage new feature to unsend texts is when you send someone a screenshot of their own texts, you meant to send to someone else
— haze (@vipismythrone) June 7, 2022
On the other hand, where does this leave us with accountability? In the most extreme cases, where lying, cheating and general bad behaviour is involved, does this mean we'll have to screenshot messages ASAP to ensure we can present the receipts, your honour? It remains to be seen.
being able to edit & unsend texts is a liability
— cozartt. (@drewcozartt) June 7, 2022
If you unsend a text I’m never talking to you again lol
— Ben Wegmann (@benwegmann) June 7, 2022
Some are unmoved by this news altogether, with many on Twitter indicating that the feature is lost on them as they "said what they said" and they stand by it. A stance we can respect, that's for sure.
Apart for the updates to messaging, iOS 16 will allow you to personalise your lock screen, switching up how the date and font looks with a variety of colours to select from. In addition, notifications will appear on the bottom of the screen rather than the top.
Wondering when these changes will take place? So far Apple has said that iOS 16 will launch in "fall" this year, with tech publications anticipating a September release. Dreading them? Consider this your notice to throw your phone in the nearest river, lake, or body of water. You've been warned.
Image: Product Placement Blog
