At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 event, Apple previewed iOS 18, a major update packed with new capabilities and customization options for iPhone users.
Perhaps the most notable addition is Apple Intelligence, the company’s new personal intelligence system deeply integrated into iOS 18. Built with privacy at its core, Apple Intelligence combines generative AI models with personal context to deliver highly useful and relevant assistance. Major aspects include:
- New systemwide Writing Tools that can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages using AI.
- Image Playground for easily creating playful AI-generated images in various styles like animations and illustrations.
- AI-powered Memories in Photos that can automatically create movies with storylines based on inputted descriptions.
- A more natural and contextually aware Siri experience with multi-modal interactions.
Another major update is an overhaul of the Photos app with a simplified grid view, automated smart collections surfacing relevant moments, and new customization options to highlight favorite memories.
iOS 18 also introduces several notable changes
- Greater Home Screen and Lock Screen customization, including rearranging apps/widgets anywhere and customizing Lock Screen controls.
- A redesigned Control Center with improved organization, customization, and third-party integration.
- Enhancements to Messages like dynamic text effects, scheduled sending, emojis for Tapbacks, and satellite messaging.
- Inbox organization in Mail with automatic email categorization using on-device intelligence.
- Deeper Safari integration with AI to surface key webpage information.
- A dedicated Passwords app for managing login credentials.
Other new features include:
- New privacy controls for locking/hiding apps and managing accessory connections
- Mapping enhancements like thousands of U.S. national park hiking trail maps
- Game Mode for optimizing performance during extended gaming sessions
- Upcoming Apple Pay integrations like rewards redemption and installment plans
- Improved AirPods experiences with head tracking for Siri, voice isolation, and low latency gaming audio
- Notes app upgrades like integrated math solving and collapsible sections
- An expanded Journal app with transcription, mindfulness tracking, and more
iOS 18 is available in developer beta starting today, with a public beta next month. The free software update will release for iPhone Xs and later models this fall.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
