When the iPhone 14 Pro models were announced in 2022, Apple surprised many with its innovative combination of software functions with a pill-shaped opening at the top of the screen. Apple calls this area of the screen “ Dynamic Island ,” and has since expanded the feature. To include all iPhone 15 models .
On the iPhone 14 Pro and all iPhone 15 models , pixels are displayed around what Apple calls a “Dynamic Island” and combined into a single bead-shaped area that changes size and shape to accommodate different types of alerts, notifications, messages, and interactions, turning it into a kind of front-and-center information hub . Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max , while the standard iPhone 14 models offer the same notch as previous iPhone 13 models .
In 2023, Apple expands the Dynamic Island range to include the iPhone 15 , iPhone 15 Plus , iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max .
Below are the most important functions that Dynamic Island can perform
- Display outputs and alerts
- Privacy indicators when using the microphone or camera
- Transfer files via AirDrop
- AirPods connection status and battery life
- iPhone charging status and low battery alerts
- Silent mode is turned on or off
- Unlock Face ID
- Unlock Apple Watch
- AirPlay connections
- Shortcut actions for incoming phone call and call duration
- Time remaining to play the song
- Personal hotspot connection
Is it possible to interact with Dynamic Island ?
It is possible to interact with certain types of content displayed in the Dynamic Island, for example, if it displays something related to an app's background activity, you can tap the Dynamic Island to switch directly to the associated app.
In certain circumstances, such as when playing media, you can also long-press the Dynamic Island to bring up the widget containing the playback controls.
The dynamic island is also able to display multiple background activities at once, such as when the timer is counting down and when you are listening to music. When this happens, the island is divided into a larger pill-shaped area and a smaller circular area, so you can see and interact with both activities. Toggle between them and tap on them, just as you would with the standard Dynamic Island interface .
Overall, the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and all iPhone 15 models is the kind of amazing integration of software and hardware that Apple is known for , and the ability for third-party developers to leverage its capabilities.