iOS 18 brings new ways to customize iPhone, additional ways to stay connected in Messages, the biggest-ever redesign of the Photos app, and so much more.
Apple has just unveiled its highly anticipated iOS 18 update at WWDC 2024, introducing a plethora of features designed to enhance user experience. This fall, iPhone users will see significant changes, with new tools that could make the update irresistible.
Apple Intelligence: AI for Your iPhone
iOS 18 marks Apple’s foray into generative AI, rebranded as Apple Intelligence. Available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and later models, as well as M-series iPads and Macs, this feature brings advanced AI capabilities. One highlight is the Rewrite tool, which helps users rephrase text in three styles—Friendly, Professional, and Concise—or even as a poem. However, its usefulness remains to be seen.
Image editing also gets a boost with a new cleanup tool to remove unwanted elements, similar to Google Pixel’s Magic Eraser. Additionally, Image Playground allows users to create images in Animation, Illustration, and Sketch styles. Users can even generate custom emojis called Genmoji, adding a fun twist to messaging.
Enhanced Siri Functionality
Siri receives a major overhaul in iOS 18. The new interface features a colorful frame around the screen, replacing the glowing sphere. Users can now type queries to Siri and enjoy improved context understanding, even with speech imperfections. Siri can now send photos and move items between apps seamlessly, offering a more personalized assistant experience.
Customizable Home Screen
iOS 18 allows users to take control of their home screen. You can now drag and drop app icons and widgets, leaving blank spaces as needed. This flexibility, long enjoyed by Android users, means you can place frequently used apps at the bottom of the screen for easier access. Additionally, app icons can be customized with dark mode images and color adjustments to match your wallpaper.
RCS Messaging Support
After much anticipation, iOS 18 brings Rich Communication Services (RCS) support to iPhones. This means higher-quality images, videos, and audio files can be exchanged between iPhone and Android users. Although messages with Android users will still appear in green bubbles, the enhanced interoperability is a welcome improvement.
Revamped Messages App
The Messages app gets a lively update with iOS 18. Tapbacks now come with color and shadowing, and any emoji can be used as a Tapback. New text formatting options, such as ripple, jitter, shake, and bloom, add more expression to your messages.
Redesigned Photos App
The Photos app sees a significant redesign, featuring a single view with a grid of photos at the top and collections below. Photos are grouped by days, and users can pin favorites. The ability to hide screenshots provides a cleaner viewing experience, allowing users to focus on cherished memories.
More Control in Control Center
iOS 18 enhances the Control Center, allowing third-party apps to integrate their controls. Users can also customize lock screen buttons, replacing them with options like the Notes app for quicker access to new documents.
Enhanced Privacy for Apps
Privacy gets a boost with the ability to lock specific apps behind Face ID. These apps won’t show notifications, search results, or Siri suggestions until unlocked, offering greater security when handing your phone to others.
Improved Mail App
The Mail app in iOS 18 introduces categories—Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions—similar to Gmail’s tabs. Messages from the same sender are grouped into “digests,” making it easier to find related emails, such as flight details. Some features may be available later this year.
New Passwords App
Finally, iOS 18 includes a new Passwords app, replacing Keychain with a more user-friendly interface. It flags weak or compromised passwords and supports verification codes, Wi-Fi passwords, and passkeys, enhancing overall security.
With these exciting new features, iOS 18 promises to deliver a more personalized, secure, and user-friendly experience for iPhone users.
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