Apple Inc. today released the latest version of its mobile operating system and although some are describing iOS 12 as just an incremental improvement, it includes a range of upgrades and new features that will likely keep fans happy.

Leading the pack is improved performance management that provides a snappier experience, directly addressing the revelation last year that Apple had been intentionally slowing down older devices.

“iOS 12 brings performance improvements across the system and to more devices than any previous version, supporting back to iPhone 5s introduced in 2013,” Apple said in a statement. “Camera launches up to 70 percent faster, the keyboard appears up to 50 percent faster and typing is more responsive. When there is a lot going on across the system, apps can launch up to twice as fast.”

The new operating software also delivers enhanced augmented reality through new shared AR experiences, persistent AR and more dynamic object detection and image tracking. Shared AR experiences have been designed to allow multiple iOS users to use AR apps at the same time, while persistent AR allows people to place virtual objects into the real world that they can later return to, a sort of AR object save feature. In addition, AR files are now supported across core iOS apps including Messages, Safari, Mail, Files and News.

Less exciting are new animojis, or animated emojis, including a feature called Memoji that allows users to create an animoji based on their own features.

Addressing the concept of overuse iOS 12 introduces “screen time,” another new feature provides users with detailed information and tools to help them manage the time they spend with apps and websites, including the ability to set app limits. Accompanying that is a new feature called Do Not Disturb that allows users to restrict access and notifications during nighttime hours or others times they may wish to do so.

Siri gets some love in the new release as well with the introduction of Siri Shortcuts, a feature that is claimed to allow any app to work with Siri. The feature taps into artificial intelligence to allow Siri to learn user routines and give suggestions while also supporting voice and custom shortcuts.

The one much-anticipated feature missing from the release is Group Facetime, which was meant to support group calls and discussions among a maximum of 32 people. According to MacRumors, the feature was removed during the beta testing period but is planned to be offered as part of a future iOS 12 update later in the fall.

Despite nothing that really wows people, iOS 12 received largely positive reviews. David Pierce at The Wall Street Journal noted that the updates to Siri are useful and the improved performance features for older devices welcome. Chaim Gartenberg at The Verge noted that “Apple’s latest mobile OS update focuses on making things work, instead of adding new features.”

iOS 12 is available today as a free software update for iPhone 5s and later for all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad 6th generation, iPad mini 2 and later, and iPod touch 6th generation.

Images: Apple