What is the AVIF image format coming to iOS 16 and macOS 13?


Mathieu Grumiaux

July 20, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.

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Photos Apple App © © Apple

© Apple

iOS 16 and macOS Ventura will integrate support for this new image format which could eventually replace jpeg.

Apple’s operating system updates deliver a whole host of new features, and many of them are invisible to the general public.

An image format already widely adopted by the industry

Among these, we can note the support of the AVIF format. This new image format is already well integrated in web browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, and even in Windows 11 and Android since its 12e grind. However, Apple had preferred to skip the AVIF until today.

The betas of iOS 16 and macOS Ventura offer users the opportunity to test the next version of the Safari browser, which finally includes support for this format.

AVIF, more modern and complete, could replace jpeg in the next few years

AVIF is a new image format based on the AV1 open video codec, already used by YouTube or Netflix due to its greater compression for equivalent image quality.

AVIF builds on its foundations and enables both transparency and HDR support. We can also present it as a serious candidate to take over from the venerable jpeg in the coming years. AVIF also supports animated images and could replace GIF, if it continues to be supported by the industry in the years to come.

The advantage of AVIF over HEIC is that it is open and free, where the other format is a derivative of H.265 and subject to a fee.

The adoption of AVIF by Apple is surprising, since this format comes to compete with the HEIC, used today by the manufacturer in its iPhone, and in particular with the Live Photos format. For now, the manufacturer does not seem to want to replace its own format, but quite simply allow its users to open AVIF files without difficulty, and thus listen to the complaints of its customers.

iOS 16 should be available by September 2022, with the launch of the iPhone 14. macOS Ventura should meanwhile be a few more weeks away, according to the brand’s usual schedule.

Source : 9to5Mac



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