Apple showcased the iOS 18 at this years WWDC. The release features brand-new customization options, the most extensive redesign of Photos to date, significant updates for enhanced connectivity, and Apple Intelligence, a cutting-edge personal intelligence system.
iOS 18 is dubbed to be a major update featuring expanded customization options, the most extensive redesign ever of the Photos app, enhanced inbox management in Mail, satellite messaging capabilities, and much more. Users can now arrange apps and widgets freely on the Home Screen, customize the Lock Screen buttons, and access more controls quickly in Control Center. Photos are now organized in a unified view with new collections for easy access to favorites. Mail leverages on-device intelligence to categorize emails, while new text effects enhance iMessage. Messages can now be sent via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi is unavailable, using the same technology as existing iPhone satellite capabilities.
iOS 18 also debuts Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It combines generative models with personal context to provide useful and relevant intelligence. Built with privacy as a priority, Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. It uses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take actions across apps, and simplify daily tasks.
New Customization and Capabilities
iPhone users can now personalize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center more extensively. Apps and widgets can be arranged in any open space, with options to adjust their appearance with light, dark, tinted effects, or larger sizes.
Control Center has been redesigned for easier access to frequently used controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity. Users can now add controls from third-party apps for quick access.
For the first time, users can switch the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, customizing or removing them entirely. The Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max allows quick access to these controls.
Photos Gets a Unified View and New Collections
The Photos app receives its biggest redesign to date, featuring a simplified single view with new collections organized by themes. Favorites can be pinned, and a new carousel view presents daily highlights. Autoplaying content brings photo libraries to life, and the app is customizable to suit individual user preferences.
Enhanced Messaging in iMessage
iMessage introduces new text effects that animate letters, words, phrases, or emojis. Users can format text with bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough. Tapbacks now support any emoji or sticker, and messages can be scheduled for later sending.
Messages now support RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging with non-Apple devices. Satellite messaging is introduced, allowing users to connect to satellites to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks when no cellular or Wi-Fi connection is available. iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted.
New Features in Mail
Mail will soon categorize incoming emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions using on-device intelligence. A new digest view consolidates emails from businesses for easy scanning.
Major Updates to Safari
Safari now includes Highlights, which uses machine learning to surface key webpage information, and a redesigned Reader experience. Users can quickly access summaries, locations, and media directly from articles.
Introducing the Passwords App
The new Passwords app provides easy access to passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, along with alerts for weak or reused passwords and those in known data leaks.
Enhanced Privacy Features
iOS 18 introduces locked and hidden apps, allowing users to keep private information secure. Users can also control which contacts are shared with apps and connect third-party accessories without exposing all devices on the network.
Apple Intelligence Revolutionizes iPhone Use
Apple Intelligence enhances writing with system-wide tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text. New image capabilities, such as Image Playground, allow users to create animations, illustrations, or sketches. The Photos app’s Memories feature uses Apple Intelligence to create personalized stories from user descriptions. Siri becomes more natural and contextually relevant, and Private Cloud Compute ensures privacy in AI tasks.
Additional Features in iOS 18
Apple Maps: Users can browse thousands of hikes in US national parks and create custom walking routes.
Game Mode: Improves gaming performance and responsiveness of wireless accessories.
Apple Pay: New ways to redeem rewards and access installments.
SharePlay: Enhanced music sharing capabilities.
AirPods: Improved call quality, lower audio latency, and Personalized Spatial Audio.
Notes: Instantly solve formulas and equations with Math Notes.
Journal: New insights view and widget for quick access.
Calendar: Integrated events and tasks from Reminders.
Health app: Redesigned Medical ID and pregnancy tracking.
Emergency SOS: Live video sharing during emergency calls.
Home app: Guest access for smart home accessories and energy usage insights.
Accessibility: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts for easier navigation and communication.
Availability
The developer beta of iOS 18 is now available through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com. A public beta will be available next month via the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com. This fall, iOS 18 will be released as a free software update for iPhone Xs and later models. Apple Intelligence will be offered in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac devices with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to U.S. English, as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia this fall.
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