Summary
The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be held on June 10, according to the announcement made by Apple. We anticipate that the next version of software will be released for all of Apple’s products, including iOS 18, at this time.
It seems like iOS 18 will be a significant upgrade, and it is being speculated that it will be one of the “biggest updates” that has been released so far. What can we anticipate from Apple’s next significant upgrade for the iPhone, which will be Apple’s iOS 18?
An easy-to-customize home screen interface
Android phones have a number of advantages, one of which is the ability to personalize the home screen in almost any manner you like. This includes the ability to position app icons wherever on the grid, even with gaps between them. Unless you utilize applications that offer a workaround with “invisible” icons to achieve the appearance you desire, iOS does not allow for gaps or spaces between app icons and widgets. This is because the grid format locks them in place, making it impossible to create gaps or spaces between them.
The iOS 18 update intends to make such modification. Recent sources indicate that the invisible grid will continue to be used; however, users will have the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between the icons and widgets that are shown on their apps. In a manner similar to what is possible on Android, this would make it possible for users to position their applications and widgets almost wherever they like.
One of the most significant updates for iOS customization would be this. iOS 14, which included widgets for the home screen and Shortcuts that allowed users to customize app icons, and iOS 16, which introduced widgets for the lock screen, were the most recent significant upgrades received by Apple.
Messaging using RCS
The revelation that Apple will be incorporating RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging into iMessage at some point in 2024 was one of the most significant announcements that the company made in 2023. Due to the fact that this would be a significant change that would most likely need for a significant software upgrade, we anticipate that this will be a feature that is included in iOS 18.
There would be an overall improvement in the messaging experience between iPhones and Android phones if RCS support was implemented, with the experience becoming more similar to iMessage between Apple devices. However, it is quite probable that the famed green bubbles will continue to be present in RCS communications; thus, you should not anticipate that this will change.
In any case, the following are some of the qualities that RCS would bring to the table:
photographs and videos at a higher resolution
Greater file sizes and the ability to share files
Audio transmissions
Reactions with emoji
Characteristics of typing in real time
Get the receipts.
The capability to deliver communications over cellular or Wi-Fi networks
Improved conversations in groups
While not every Apple customer has requested this feature, there are those who have been more outspoken about their desire for it and have been waiting for this day for quite some time. In any case, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved, and it is something that Apple ought to have initiated many years ago.
Intelligence that is artificial
As seen by the artificial intelligence elements included in the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy AI, it would seem that artificial intelligence is finding its way into everything, even mobile devices.
Apple is extremely likely to be the next firm to introduce artificial intelligence elements to iOS 18, since the corporation has been making significant investments in generative AI technology, spending more than one billion dollars annually on this area of research and development.
Recent rumors have stated that Apple is collaborating with Google to license Gemini AI for the iPhone. This would be similar to what Samsung did for its S24 series of smartphones. On the other hand, this is not quite set in stone just yet, and it is also likely that Apple is considering OpenAI as an other choice.
If it is true that Apple is going to integrate artificial intelligence elements, the business has to determine whether or not the features will be distributed over the cloud or if they will be done locally on the device. It would be more secure to save information on the device itself, which is always Apple’s main focus. Additionally, it is probable that artificial intelligence capabilities would be unique to iPhone 16 Pro models that are equipped with the A18 processor. This would give the necessary power for enhanced performance in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Apple’s artificial intelligence vision will not be able to fully scale for some time since the company is late to the game. As a result, it is possible that iOS 18 may only have a limited selection of Apple’s artificial intelligence functions, with further features to be added in the near future.
Siri has been improved
Because Apple is making investments in artificial intelligence features, it is reasonable to assume that enhancements will be made to Siri, which is the voice assistant that everyone prefers.
According to a story that was published in the previous year, Apple may be considering the use of large-language models (LLMs) in order to significantly enhance Siri. The LLMs that are utilized behind chatbots, such as ChatGPT, are responsible for incorporating enormous quantities of data and developing algorithms that produce content depending on the information that is discovered in those models.
When this is taken into consideration, Siri may be able to improve its natural conversation skills and have improved user customisation functionality. An enhanced interaction between Siri and Messages, the ability for Siri to auto-complete phrases, and even the ability to answer complicated queries are some of the improvements that Apple is working on, as reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.
The Information has published yet another story that says that Siri will be better linked with the Shortcuts app in order to improve automations for jobs that are particularly difficult.
Recent additions to Maps
Although Apple Maps has seen significant development over the years, there are still those who choose other solutions such as Google Maps owing to the fact that Apple Maps is lacking in some aspects. To our great relief, iOS 18 has the potential to make Apple Maps more engaging.
Some code inside iOS has hinted at the possibility of support for bespoke routes in Apple Maps, which would enable users to enter routes that they have chosen on their own. In addition to the pre-chosen alternatives that Apple generally provides when you bring up instructions, this would be an extra option that could be picked. Through the usage of bespoke routes, users are able to pick certain roads that they want to drive on for the aim of seeing stunning views or just becoming more acquainted with the route itself.
Additionally, Apple may provide topographic maps on the iPhone with the release of iOS 18. Topographic maps, which were introduced in watchOS 10, display a variety of features on the map, including trails, contour lines, elevation, areas of interest, and more.
The AirPods Pro include a setting for hearing aids
Despite the fact that it was first speculated that it will be included in the subsequent version of the AirPods Pro, it seems that iOS 18 will instead provide a hearing aid mode for the AirPods Pro that are already in use. One piece of good news for those who already possess AirPods Pro is that this will be accomplished via the implementation of a software update.
There is a function called Conversation Boost that is now available on AirPods Pro. This feature amplifies the loudness of people who are speaking directly in front of the user. At this moment, it is not apparent what a hearing aid mode would do differently, but it is something that should be kept in mind.
An increase in accessibility features
Additionally, iOS 18 will include a plethora of new accessibility options for users to use. There is a good chance that a new feature called Adaptive Voice Shortcuts will be introduced. This feature will enable users to construct their own unique phrases and attach a particular accessibility option to those words. Among other things, this would be compatible with VoiceOver, Voice Control, and Zoom.
According to reports, the Live Speech feature, which was introduced in iOS 17, would most likely get additional categories, which will enable users to better organize the words they want to utilize. It is also feasible to provide support for text size adjustments in a greater number of applications.
iOS 18 will be out very shortly
On June 10, we anticipate that Apple will unveil iOS 18 during the keynote address at WWDC 2024. After then, a public beta will typically be released, which will be followed by a developer beta not too much longer after that. iOS 18 will be made available to the general public in the autumn, along with the introduction of the iPhone 16.
Do you have any concerns about whether or not your iPhone will be able to get iOS 18? Based on the most recent speculations, it seems that if you were successful in upgrading to iOS 17, then you should be able to get iOS 18.
Here is a list of the devices that need to be considered for inclusion:
- A 15-inch Pro Max iPhone
- The iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- The iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max
- The iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12 Pro Max are all available.
- The iPhone 12 Pro
- 13-inch iPhone mini
- The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 11 Pro Max
- The iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone 11, and the iPhone XS Max
- iPod Touch XS
- An iPhone XR, an iPhone SE 2, and an iPhone SE 3
The iOS 18 upgrade is not going to be available for devices older than that, which is unfortunate. On the other hand, taking into account that the iPhone with the longest age on the list was released in 2018, it is really not that awful. However, you should not anticipate that all of the most recent capabilities included in iOS 18 will be compatible with those older devices (for example, the artificial intelligence functions).
