At the very least some Apple software program engineers proceed to imagine that iOS 18 would be the “largest” replace within the iPhone’s historical past, in accordance with Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. Under, we recap rumored options and modifications for the iPhone.
“The iOS 18 replace is predicted to be probably the most formidable overhaul of the iPhone’s software program in its historical past, in accordance with folks engaged on the improve,” wrote Gurman, in a report centered on WWDC 2024. Apple just lately mentioned that its annual builders convention will run from June 10 by way of June 14, and iOS 18 might be a key announcement.
iOS 18 is rumored to incorporate new generative AI options for Siri and plenty of apps, and Apple plans so as to add RCS assist to the Messages app for an improved texting expertise between iPhones and Android units. The replace can also be anticipated to introduce a extra customizable Dwelling Display screen and different person interface design modifications, new options in apps like Apple Maps and Freeform, further accessibility options, and extra.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI options for Siri, Highlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Well being, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and extra, in accordance with sources equivalent to Gurman and The Info‘s Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner has repeatedly teased that the corporate is engaged on generative AI, and plans to share particulars “later this 12 months,” and Apple’s advertising chief Greg Joswiak additionally hinted at AI this week in a social media publish about WWDC 2024.
Generative AI surged in reputation in late 2022, when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a chatbot that may reply to questions and different textual content prompts. The corporate has additionally expanded into generative AI instruments for pictures and movies. Different corporations like Google and Microsoft have additionally pushed into the generative AI house, and the know-how is rapidly evolving.
iOS 18 is not anticipated to incorporate Apple’s personal ChatGPT-like chatbot. As an alternative, Apple has reportedly held discussions with corporations equivalent to OpenAI, Google, and China’s Baidu about potential generative AI partnerships, which may result in different chatbots being built-in into iOS 18, though Apple’s precise plans are unclear.
Some generative AI options may be unique to iPhone 16 Professional fashions, that are rumored to have a Neural Engine with “considerably” extra cores.
Extra Customizable Dwelling Display screen
iOS 18 will characteristic a “extra customizable” Dwelling Display screen, in accordance with Gurman.
MacRumors solely reported that iOS 18 will lastly enable customers to place app icons anyplace on the Dwelling Display screen grid. Which means that customers will be capable of create clean areas, columns, and rows between app icons. This fundamental characteristic has lengthy been accessible on Android smartphones, and now Apple is bringing it to the iPhone.
iPhone customers can already customise the Dwelling Display screen with apps equivalent to Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, which can be utilized to create “clean” app icons and widgets, however Apple’s official answer might be way more handy.
We anticipate iOS 18 to incorporate further customization choices past icon association, as a part of the most important Dwelling Display screen revamp in years.
New Apple Maps Options
MacRumors just lately revealed two potential new Apple Maps options coming with iOS 18: customized routes and topographic maps.
With the customized routes characteristic, Apple Maps customers would be capable of select particular roads to journey on whereas navigating, for causes equivalent to familiarity or scenic views. This characteristic is predicted to be accessible within the U.S. solely at launch. Google Maps already permits customers to create customized routes on the internet, after which view them on an iPhone.
Topographic maps first debuted on the Apple Watch final 12 months with watchOS 10, and code means that the characteristic might be expanded to the iPhone, Mac, and Imaginative and prescient Professional with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. These maps embrace particulars equivalent to trails, contour strains, elevation, and factors of curiosity for mountaineering and different outside makes use of.
RCS Help in Messages App
In November, Apple introduced that it could assist the cross-platform messaging customary RCS within the Messages app on the iPhone beginning “later” in 2024, so it’ll seemingly be an iOS 18 characteristic primarily based on that timeframe.
RCS assist ought to consequence within the following enhancements to the default messaging expertise between iPhones and Android units:
- Increased-resolution images and movies
- Audio messages
- Typing indicators
- Learn receipts
- Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android units
- Improved group chats, together with the power for iPhone customers to go away a dialog that features Android customers
These fashionable options are already accessible for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, by way of iMessage, and most of the options are additionally accessible in third-party messaging apps, equivalent to WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS assist on the iPhone will lengthen the options to inexperienced bubbles within the Messages app.
Design Modifications
Apple plans to replace the design of the iOS person interface as “early as this 12 months,” in accordance with Gurman. He beforehand mentioned that iOS 18 would have “main new options and designs,” however he has but to offer any particular particulars.
Extra Rumors
For extra info, learn our iOS 18 roundup.