Top 4 iOS18 features

Apple's next-generation operating system for iPhone and iPad, in developer beta now and launching in the fall.

iOS18 Overview:

\Debuted at WWDC 2024 in June, iOS 18 represents the latest advancement in iOS, slated for public release in September. Central to iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI suite that is seamlessly integrated into the operating system. Described as "AI for the rest of us," Apple Intelligence merges generative AI with personalized context.

Apple Intelligence enhances writing throughout the OS, significantly boosts Siri's capabilities, and enables various forms of content creation. Writing Tools available across all apps will assist in rewriting, polishing, proofreading, and summarizing text. Users can adjust tone, shorten text, and correct spelling and grammar errors.

The new Image Playground app allows users to generate images using prompts or Apple's suggestions and themes, incorporating personal photos to create custom images in styles such as Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. This feature is integrated into Messages, Notes, and other apps.

Genmoji in the Messages app lets users create custom emojis from brief descriptions, even including friends. In the Photos app, users can create custom Memories by providing descriptions, with Apple Intelligence selecting suitable photos and videos. Memories feature storylines, music, and chapters for a complete narrative experience. The Clean Up tool removes unwanted background objects from images.

Siri has been completely revamped with Apple Intelligence, making it more contextually aware, personal, and natural. Siri now supports both voice and a new type-to-Siri option, activated with a double tap on the display bottom. It can perform actions within apps, such as editing photos, managing files, and creating folders. Siri's understanding of language and context has improved, allowing it to reference previous requests and recognize on-screen content. It can search the entire device and utilize user history for task assistance.

Siri features a new look, with an activation ring glowing around the display. It has extensive Apple product knowledge, offering step-by-step instructions like an Apple Genius. When Siri lacks an answer, it can summon OpenAI's ChatGPT for assistance, without sharing user data.

Apple Intelligence is exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads and Macs with M-series chips due to on-device processing for privacy and security. More intensive tasks are handled by Apple cloud servers on Apple silicon, ensuring data safety through Private Cloud Compute.

Beyond AI, iOS 18 introduces new Home Screen customization options, allowing for app and widget rearrangement around wallpapers, larger icons and widgets, and darker dark mode options. Control Center has been redesigned for complete customization, with a controls gallery for new quick actions and multiple screens for different sections like HomeKit and media playback.

The Lock Screen's Flashlight and Camera icons are now part of Control Center and can be swapped or removed, and controls can be assigned to the iPhone 15 Pro's Action button. The Photos app merges Library and For You tabs, focusing on top photos and memories, with themed Collections and a new carousel view for highlights.

Messages now supports text scheduling and any emoji for Tapback reactions. Text effects and formatting options have been added, and Apple is transitioning to RCS for better Android messaging. Messages via satellite are available on iPhone 14 and later without cellular or Wi-Fi, supporting texts, emojis, and Tapbacks.

Later in 2024, Mail will feature on-device categorization and a new digest view for business emails. Safari will have Highlights summarizing webpage content, with Reader mode enhancements. Notes will support live audio recording and transcription, along with automatic equation solving in Math Notes.

Maps will include topographic maps, trail networks, and detailed maps of U.S. national parks, with offline access and custom hiking routes. A new Game Mode optimizes processing power and reduces latency for gaming, and AirPods gain Personalized Spatial Audio support.

Tap to Cash allows money transfers between iPhones using Apple Cash without sharing personal information. Apple Pay introduces rewards payments and installment plans, with redesigned event tickets in Wallet.

The Passwords section in Settings is now a standalone app, storing iCloud Keychain logins, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, accessible across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows PCs.

iOS 18 enhances privacy with app locking and hiding, requiring authentication to access. Selective contact sharing and improved accessory connection privacy have been added. AirPods Pro 2 now support gesture-based Siri responses and Voice Isolation for background noise reduction.

iOS 18 is currently available to developers and public beta testers, with an official release planned for fall alongside new iPhone models.

The most impressive new feature in iOS 18 may sound subtle, but it's a game-changer that puts valuable settings and functions at your fingertips faster than ever.

1. Control Center is now a juggernaut

One of the standout enhancements in iOS 18 may appear understated at first glance, but it's a transformative feature that provides quicker access to essential settings and functions.

By swiping down from the top-right corner of the display, you open the Control Center. Apple has consistently expanded its utility over the years. Beyond the basic controls for airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Focus Modes, as well as brightness adjustment and volume control, recent updates have introduced capabilities such as screen recording, screen mirroring, a QR code scanner, dark mode toggle, and the ability to start a timer or voice memo.

iOS 18 introduces a wealth of new toggles and options, enabling users to customize the size and placement of controls. It also opens up the Control Center for third-party developers to add their own controls. Among the new features, my favorites are the Wi-Fi Hotspot toggle and the new power button in the upper-right corner, which allows for quick shutdowns without needing to navigate through the Settings menu. I'm excited to discover more features to love as I continue using this updated Control Center.

2. A built-in Passwords app is finally here

The revamped Passwords app now consolidates passwords saved in Safari and iCloud Keychain, providing a central hub for password management. Beyond storing and auto-filling username/password combinations, it also supports passkeys and Wi-Fi passwords. The app enhances security by enabling password sharing with family, coworkers, and friends who also use iOS 18 and the Passwords app.

Additionally, it manages two-factor authentication verification codes. A significant advantage of the new Passwords app is its availability across multiple devices, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, and even Vision Pro. While it may not be as comprehensive and secure as dedicated password managers like Keeper or 1Password, it offers a substantial security improvement over using Apple Notes, Google Docs, or text messages for password sharing.

3. Messages feels more like Slack

I've been a dedicated Slack user for over five years, witnessing its rise in popularity not only in businesses but also among small organizations, friend groups, and community groups. One of Slack's standout features is the ability to react to messages with emojis, eliminating the need for a written response. Previously, the Messages app on the iPhone was restricted to just six reaction options.

With iOS 18, this limitation has been lifted, allowing users to react with any emoji. While Slack lets you create custom emojis from images, iOS 18 doesn't offer this feature. However, the introduction of Genmoji promises the ability to design custom emojis based on text prompts, although this feature isn't available in the beta versions yet. Nonetheless, the expanded emoji reactions in Messages mark a significant improvement.

4. You can design your own home screen

Apple has radically redesigned the iPhone's main screen, delivering one of the most significant upgrades in the platform's history.

Gone is the static grid that traditionally flowed from top-left to bottom-right. Now, you have the freedom to place icons and widgets anywhere on the screen. While Android users have enjoyed this flexibility for years, it's a first for iPhone users and feels remarkably liberating.

Additionally, you can now switch homescreen icons to dark mode or apply a color tint. There's also the option to toggle between a small icon mode, with app names displayed, and a cleaner large icon mode, without app names.

Personally, I prefer dark mode on my iPhone. I switched my icons to dark mode, opted for the larger icon size for simplicity, and arranged a row of six icons on the right side of the screen for easy one-handed access. The new layout is incredibly clean, making the iPhone 15 Pro I've been testing feel like a brand-new device.

A few more highlights

• Mail Categorization: The Mail app now organizes your emails into four categories: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions, reminiscent of Gmail's efficient sorting feature. Though not yet available in the beta version, it's a highly anticipated addition.
• Calculator as a Math Tutor: The impressive Math Notes feature, initially introduced in the iPad's Calculator app, is now available on the iPhone's Calculator app as well. It allows notes to sync between iPhone and iPad, enhancing your calculation experience.
• Phone Call Recording: You can now record phone calls directly from the Phone app, with an automatic notification to the other party. This feature isn't in the beta yet, but it promises to be a valuable tool.
• Call Transcriptions: Another upcoming feature is the ability to save transcripts of your recorded calls into the Notes app, making it easier to keep records of important conversations.
• Audio Recording in Notes:The Notes app now supports direct audio recording into notes, adding a new layer of functionality for capturing voice memos.
• App Locking: You can now secure apps, such as banking or health care apps, with biometric authentication, ensuring an extra layer of privacy and security.
• Insight in Apple TV App:The Apple TV app has adopted a feature similar to Prime Video's X-Ray, allowing users to identify actors and songs in scenes, providing a richer viewing experience across all Apple platforms.