Apple has huge plans for iOS 18, in keeping with Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Within the subscriber-only Q&A bit of his Energy On publication at present, Gurman mentioned iOS 18 has the potential to be the “greatest” software program replace within the iPhone’s historical past.
“I am instructed that the brand new working system is seen throughout the firm as one of many greatest iOS updates — if not the most important — within the firm’s historical past,” he wrote.
Gurman mentioned he plans to share extra particulars about particular iOS 18 options and adjustments which might be deliberate sooner or later, however we already find out about two new options which might be more likely to be included within the replace, as outlined beneath.
iOS 18 will probably be launched in September, and the primary beta for builders will come out throughout Apple’s annual builders convention WWDC in June.
RCS Assist
In November 2023, Apple introduced that it might help the cross-platform messaging customary RCS within the Messages app on the iPhone beginning “later” in 2024, so it’ll doubtless be an iOS 18 function primarily based on that timeframe.
RCS help ought to outcome within the following enhancements to the default messaging expertise between iPhones and Android units:
- Greater-resolution images and movies
- Audio messages
- Typing indicators
- Learn receipts
- Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android units
- Improved group chats, together with the flexibility for iPhone customers to go away a dialog that features Android customers
- Improved encryption in comparison with SMS
These trendy options are already obtainable for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, through iMessage, and most of the options are additionally obtainable in third-party messaging apps, equivalent to WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS help on the iPhone will prolong the options to inexperienced bubbles within the Messages app.
Smarter Siri
Gurman expects iOS 18 to function generative AI know-how that “ought to enhance how each Siri and the Messages app can subject questions and auto-complete sentences.” He mentioned Apple has additionally explored generative AI options for different apps throughout its platforms, together with Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Xcode.
The Info reported that Apple plans to incorporate giant language fashions into Siri to let customers automate advanced duties, a function that may contain deeper integration with the Shortcuts app. The report mentioned this function is anticipated to be launched in an iPhone software program replace coming in 2024, which might doubtless be iOS 18.
Generative AI surged in recognition in 2022 when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a chatbot that may reply to questions and different prompts. Google and Microsoft launched comparable chatbots final yr, as extra firms race into the area. The chatbots are educated on giant language fashions, permitting them to reply like a human.
