iOS 18 is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most ambitious updates, with significant improvements focused on AI integration, improved messaging protocols, and expanded customization options.
Main features of iOS 18
1. AI improvements:
Siri 2.0: Siri is expected to receive a major upgrade with the integration of generative AI, improving its ability to understand and execute complex commands. This includes creating GIFs of him from recent photos and automating complex tasks using simple voice commands.
Apple GPT: Rumored to be Apple’s answer to ChatGPT. This AI chatbot is integrated into a variety of apps and can help with tasks like generating text in Pages, autocomplete sentences in Messages, and creating playlists in Apple Music.
2. Messaging improvements:
RCS Support: iOS 18 introduces Rich Communication Services (RCS) to improve the texting experience between iPhone and Android users. These include features such as read receipts, input indicators, and the ability to send high-quality images and videos.
3. Customization and Accessibility:
Home screen customization: Users have more control over their home screen, potentially allowing gaps between app icons and other layout customizations.
New accessibility features: This includes adaptive voice shortcuts, expanded live voice categories, customizable font sizes in more apps, and new eye tracking features that use AI to make it easier to navigate device interfaces.
4. Health and CarPlay updates:
Health app: While details are scarce, new AI-powered features are expected in the Health app, with the aim of providing better health management tools.
CarPlay improvements: This includes improved voice control, color filters for color blindness, and voice recognition for alarms such as car horns and sirens.
Release timeline
iOS 18 is expected to be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) in June, with a developer beta expected to be released shortly thereafter. A public beta version will be released in July, and the final version could be made available to the public in September.
Overall, iOS 18 aims to deliver a more personalized, intelligent, and seamless user experience by leveraging AI and improving cross-platform communication.
