Apple has taken a stunning flip with iOS 18, emphasizing customization and person management throughout practically each characteristic, slightly than focusing solely on the anticipated Apple Intelligence – AI.
Whereas buyers and tech fanatics eagerly awaited information on Apple’s AI developments, it has change into evident that iOS 18 provides way more than AI capabilities.
Throughout the peak of the Android vs. iPhone debates within the 2010s, one of many fundamental causes customers most popular Android was its intensive customization choices. In distinction, Apple’s simple grid of icons appeared restricted in comparison with the dynamic and customizable Android residence screens.
Nonetheless, trade developments and the departure of Jony Ive have led Apple to embrace a brand new route. The introduction of alternate app icons was a major step towards permitting iPhone customers to personalize their units.
Though Apple Intelligence exhibits promise, it’s not but obtainable for testing. Due to this fact, this evaluate focuses on iOS 18’s options past AI, highlighting the way it caters to customers worldwide by enhancing personalization choices.
Almost each new characteristic in iOS 18 appears to revolve round giving customers extra management and customization potentialities, marking a major shift in Apple’s method to its working system.
iOS 18 Assessment: Customization Upgrades
Apple has handed out a sluggish drip of customization options since iOS 14 launched widgets on the House Display. Each replace since has positioned extra emphasis on customized layouts, controls, and themes till what appears to be the top of iOS 18.
House Display & Lock Display
Apple’s House Display now provides a number of new choices for person customization. Customers can depart clean house on the House Display, alter icon sizes, swap to darkish icons, or add a tint.
Customized icons now have an effect on each icon, together with these proven within the App Library, folders, and Highlight search. Customers also can set app icons to a big mode that hides textual content labels or swap to darkish mode icons with black backgrounds and darkish accents. These darkish icons can routinely swap primarily based on the time of day, just like the system-wide mild and darkish mode.
The Lock Display has seen important adjustments, together with the power to switch the flashlight and digital camera buttons with user-selected choices. These customizations are tied to Lock Screens and might change with Focus modes.
Management Heart
Management Heart has been rebuilt as a multi-page user-customizable instrument, permitting customers to arrange system controls and third-party app controls into a number of sizes and configurations. Customers can create as much as 10 pages, making Management Heart a strong customization instrument that’s all the time a swipe away..
Images
Apple redesigned the Images app, eradicating its tabbed interface in favor of a unified one. This alteration brings every little thing to the entrance, making options like Reminiscences and Maps extra accessible. The unified design permits for customized sorting choices primarily based on faces, pets, journeys, albums, and extra.
Safari
Safari now features a Highlights characteristic and an upgraded Reader view. Highlights present fast hyperlinks to Maps, Music, and different apps, whereas Reader view provides a abstract of the web page and a generated desk of contents.
Journal
Journal upgrades embody a brand new search instrument with filters and insights. Customers can log mindfulness minutes, tie entries to Apple Well being, and use new widgets and metrics to reinforce their journaling expertise.
Messages
Apple’s updates to Messages embody Tapbacks with any emoji, a Ship Later choice, and new textual content results. Probably the most important replace is the introduction of RCS, which permits for typing indicators, high-resolution pictures and movies, and tapbacks with suitable customers.
Notes
Notes now embody math notes and built-in voice memos, permitting customers to file audio and routinely transcribe it inside their notes.
Calendar
Calendar now integrates with Reminders, permitting customers to create, view, and handle Reminders according to Calendar occasions.
The whole lot Else
Different notable updates in iOS 18 embody a brand new Password app, visitor entry within the House app, mountaineering routes in Apple Maps, Sport Mode, prolonged SharePlay help, the power to cover and lock apps, and improved contact sharing restrictions.
Coming Later This 12 months
Apple Mail categorization and the total launch of Apple Intelligence are anticipated later within the 12 months. Mail categorization will type content material, whereas Apple Intelligence will deliver AI enhancements to iOS 18.
Personalization
iOS 18 marks a major shift in Apple’s method to its working system, specializing in personalization and person management. Whereas Apple Intelligence will finally take heart stage, the present updates make iOS 18 a compelling improve for customers looking for extra customization choices.
Execs:
- Intensive customization choices
- Darkish mode icons and no-text mode
- Redesigned Management Heart
- Enhanced Messages and Journal apps
Cons:
- Restricted preliminary availability of Apple Intelligence
- Icon tinting wants developer help
- Images redesign could also be difficult for some customers
Score: 4 out of 5
iOS 18 is ready to launch in September, with all units that may run iOS 17 suitable with the brand new replace. Keep tuned for additional protection as Apple Intelligence and different options roll out.
Apple has taken a stunning flip with iOS 18, emphasizing customization and person management throughout practically each characteristic, slightly than focusing solely on the anticipated Apple Intelligence – AI.
Whereas buyers and tech fanatics eagerly awaited information on Apple’s AI developments, it has change into evident that iOS 18 provides way more than AI capabilities.
Throughout the peak of the Android vs. iPhone debates within the 2010s, one of many fundamental causes customers most popular Android was its intensive customization choices. In distinction, Apple’s simple grid of icons appeared restricted in comparison with the dynamic and customizable Android residence screens.
Nonetheless, trade developments and the departure of Jony Ive have led Apple to embrace a brand new route. The introduction of alternate app icons was a major step towards permitting iPhone customers to personalize their units.
Though Apple Intelligence exhibits promise, it’s not but obtainable for testing. Due to this fact, this evaluate focuses on iOS 18’s options past AI, highlighting the way it caters to customers worldwide by enhancing personalization choices.
Almost each new characteristic in iOS 18 appears to revolve round giving customers extra management and customization potentialities, marking a major shift in Apple’s method to its working system.
iOS 18 Assessment: Customization Upgrades
Apple has handed out a sluggish drip of customization options since iOS 14 launched widgets on the House Display. Each replace since has positioned extra emphasis on customized layouts, controls, and themes till what appears to be the top of iOS 18.
House Display & Lock Display
Apple’s House Display now provides a number of new choices for person customization. Customers can depart clean house on the House Display, alter icon sizes, swap to darkish icons, or add a tint.
Customized icons now have an effect on each icon, together with these proven within the App Library, folders, and Highlight search. Customers also can set app icons to a big mode that hides textual content labels or swap to darkish mode icons with black backgrounds and darkish accents. These darkish icons can routinely swap primarily based on the time of day, just like the system-wide mild and darkish mode.
The Lock Display has seen important adjustments, together with the power to switch the flashlight and digital camera buttons with user-selected choices. These customizations are tied to Lock Screens and might change with Focus modes.
Management Heart
Management Heart has been rebuilt as a multi-page user-customizable instrument, permitting customers to arrange system controls and third-party app controls into a number of sizes and configurations. Customers can create as much as 10 pages, making Management Heart a strong customization instrument that’s all the time a swipe away..
Images
Apple redesigned the Images app, eradicating its tabbed interface in favor of a unified one. This alteration brings every little thing to the entrance, making options like Reminiscences and Maps extra accessible. The unified design permits for customized sorting choices primarily based on faces, pets, journeys, albums, and extra.
Safari
Safari now features a Highlights characteristic and an upgraded Reader view. Highlights present fast hyperlinks to Maps, Music, and different apps, whereas Reader view provides a abstract of the web page and a generated desk of contents.
Journal
Journal upgrades embody a brand new search instrument with filters and insights. Customers can log mindfulness minutes, tie entries to Apple Well being, and use new widgets and metrics to reinforce their journaling expertise.
Messages
Apple’s updates to Messages embody Tapbacks with any emoji, a Ship Later choice, and new textual content results. Probably the most important replace is the introduction of RCS, which permits for typing indicators, high-resolution pictures and movies, and tapbacks with suitable customers.
Notes
Notes now embody math notes and built-in voice memos, permitting customers to file audio and routinely transcribe it inside their notes.
Calendar
Calendar now integrates with Reminders, permitting customers to create, view, and handle Reminders according to Calendar occasions.
The whole lot Else
Different notable updates in iOS 18 embody a brand new Password app, visitor entry within the House app, mountaineering routes in Apple Maps, Sport Mode, prolonged SharePlay help, the power to cover and lock apps, and improved contact sharing restrictions.
Coming Later This 12 months
Apple Mail categorization and the total launch of Apple Intelligence are anticipated later within the 12 months. Mail categorization will type content material, whereas Apple Intelligence will deliver AI enhancements to iOS 18.
Personalization
iOS 18 marks a major shift in Apple’s method to its working system, specializing in personalization and person management. Whereas Apple Intelligence will finally take heart stage, the present updates make iOS 18 a compelling improve for customers looking for extra customization choices.
Execs:
- Intensive customization choices
- Darkish mode icons and no-text mode
- Redesigned Management Heart
- Enhanced Messages and Journal apps
Cons:
- Restricted preliminary availability of Apple Intelligence
- Icon tinting wants developer help
- Images redesign could also be difficult for some customers
Score: 4 out of 5
iOS 18 is ready to launch in September, with all units that may run iOS 17 suitable with the brand new replace. Keep tuned for additional protection as Apple Intelligence and different options roll out.
