iPhone operating system: iOS 18! Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is over, and as expected, they’ve unveiled the next iteration. Scheduled for release this fall, iOS 18 boasts a ton of new features, with a big focus on customization and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the company’s take on AI.
Apple Unveils iOS 18, Packed with Personalization, AI, and More
Apple Intelligence
Your Personalized AI Assistant! One of the biggest highlights is Apple Intelligence. This AI system, available on devices powered by the A17 and M series chips, offers a variety of personalized tools to streamline your daily tasks.
- Prioritize what matters
Apple Intelligence helps you manage your notifications by prioritizing the important ones. - Writing Assistant
No more writer’s block! The built-in writing assistant helps you with everything from rewriting text with multiple options to proofreading and summarizing. - Smarter Email
The Mail app gets a boost with Smart Reply suggestions and the ability to automatically surface important emails at the top of your inbox.
Apple is keen to assure users that their privacy is paramount. Apple Intelligence processes information on your device itself, so your data never leaves your iPhone.
AI Gets Creative
Apple Intelligence isn’t just about productivity. It can also get creative!
- Image Playground
Feeling artistic? This built-in app lets you create images in sketch, illustration, or animation styles based on your conversations and friends’ profile pictures. - Genmoji
Ever wanted to create your own emoji? Now you can with generative AI emoji, or “Genmoji” for short. You can even use AI to search for images and videos using natural language. - Memories Made Easy
Creating a video montage just got easier. Simply describe what you want in your video story, and Memories will use image and language recognition to pick the best photos and videos and even suggest a soundtrack.
Siri Gets a Long-Awaited Upgrade
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is finally getting the overhaul it deserves. Siri has a new look and can now understand more natural language. It also remembers the context of your conversations and lets you type to it if you prefer. Siri will also gain on-screen awareness over the next year, allowing you to use it to interact with apps.
The Age of Customization
iOS 18 offers more customization options than ever before. You can:
- Revamp your Home Screen
Forget the grid! Arrange apps and widgets anywhere on your Home Screen. Change app icon colors to match your wallpaper and personalize the Control Center with multiple pages and even developer-created controls for third-party apps. - Lock it Down
Protect your privacy by locking apps to keep prying eyes out. You can also choose which contacts apps can see, so they don’t have access to your entire contact list. - Unified Passwords
No more hunting for login information! The new Passwords app stores all your passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes in one place. It even alerts you to weak passwords and compromised logins.
Messaging Gets a Boost
Messaging gets a fun upgrade with “tapbacks” – any emoji or sticker you like. You can also schedule messages, format text with bold, underline, and italics, and add fun effects like jitter and shake. Finally, RCS messaging is built-in, and you’ll be able to send messages via satellite with end-to-end encryption!
Other Cool Features
- Mail gets Smarter
The Mail app now automatically categorizes emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions for a cleaner inbox experience. - Maps Gets Rugged
Explore the outdoors with new topographic maps with downloadable hiking routes. - Wallet Gets Handy
Tap to Cash lets you exchange Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhones together. - Journal Gets Insightful
Gain insights from your past entries with the new Insights view in Journal. You can also search for specific entries. - Game Like a Pro
iOS 18 introduces Game Mode, which minimizes background activity during gaming sessions for improved responsiveness with game controllers and AirPods. - Photos Gets a Makeover
The Photos app gets its biggest redesign ever, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
With its focus on customization, AI integration, and a ton of other cool features, iOS 18 promises to be a major update for iPhone users. Look for the public beta in July and the official release this fall.
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