Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Apple revealed that itsWorldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC ) will take place on June 10 . This is when we expect to see the next looping of software program across all of Apple ’s mathematical product , including iOS 18 .
From the sounds of it , we ’re in for abig update with iOS 18 , rumored to be one of the “ self-aggrandizing updates ” yet . Here ’s what we await from Apple ’s next major iPhone update with iOS 18 .
A more customizable home screen
One of the strengths ofAndroid phonesis that you may customize your nursing home CRT screen fairly much any way you want , include placing app icons anywhere on the grid , even with space between . With Io , app icons and widget are locked in place with the grid format , not allowing for gaps or space between — unless you utilise apps that furnish a workaround with “ inconspicuous ” icons to create the look you desire .
iOS 18 is look to change that . harmonise to recent reports , while the invisible grid will still be used , users will be able to create vacuous spaces , quarrel , and column between app ikon and doojigger . This would allow user to place their apps and widgets anywhere they please , similar to what can be accomplish on Android .
This would be a huge update for iOS customization . The last major updates were iOS 14 , which add home screen widgets and customizable app icons through Shortcuts , and iOS 16 , which added lock screen thingmajig .
RCS messaging
One of thebiggest announcements Apple made in 2023was that it would beadopting RCS ( Rich Communication Services ) messaging in iMessagesometime in 2024 . This would be a major change that is likely going to require a major software update , which is whywe expect this to be an iOS 18 feature of speech .
With RCS support , the overall message experience between iPhones and Android phones would improve , becoming more like iMessage between Apple devices . However , RCS messages will still belike retain the infamous unripe bubbles , so do n’t expect that to alter .
irrespective , some of the features that RCS would institute include :
Though not every Apple user has asked for this feature , others have been more vocal and have waited for this day for a while . Either way , it ’s a win for everyone — and something that Apple should have implemented class ago .
Artificial intelligence
It seems that AI is making its way into everything , including peregrine gadget , as demonstrate bySamsung ’s Galaxy AIand Google Pixel 8 AI features .
Apple is very likely to be next in line to add AI features to iOS 18 , as the company has beenheavily investing in productive AI technologywith outlay of more than $ 1 billion per year .
late reports have propose thatApple is solve with Google to license Gemini AI for the iPhone , which is like to what Samsung did for its S24 series . But this is n’t gear up in stone yet , and it ’s also potential that Apple is looking into OpenAI as another opening .
If Apple is indeed supply AI features , the company has to make up one’s mind if it will all be done topically on - twist or if the features will be deploy via the cloud . On - twist would be more strong , which is always a top priority for Apple . It ’s also potential that AI feature will be exclusive toiPhone 16 Promodels with the A18 chip , which would cater the exponent that is call for for meliorate AI and machine learning performance .
Since Apple is late to the game , it will take prison term for Apple ’s AI vision to full scale . This could mean we only get a small sample of Apple ’s AI features in iOS 18 , with more to come in the hereafter .
Improved Siri
Since Apple is investing in AI feature , that should also mean that improvement are come to everyone ’s favorite voice assistant — Siri .
concord to a paper last year , Apple could be planning to follow out large - language models ( LLMs ) to drastically ameliorate Siri . LLMs are used behind chatbots , such as ChatGPT , which integrate large amounts of data point and create algorithmic program to generate mental object free-base on the info find in those models .
With that in mind , Siri could be better at natural conversation capabilities and have good user personalization . According to Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman , one of the lineament that Apple is working on is improved interaction between Siri and Messages , having Siri car - arrant time and even answer complex questions .
Another report fromThe Informationsuggests that Siri will be well integrated with the Shortcuts app for better automations for complex tasks .
New Maps features
Apple Maps has improveda lotover the twelvemonth , though some mass still favor other options like Google Maps due to Apple ’s lack of sure features . Thankfully , Io 18 could make Apple Maps more likeable .
Some code within Io has tease supportfor custom routes in Apple Maps , appropriate users to input self - selected road . This would be an extra pick to the pre - choose choice you typically get from Apple when pulling up direction . With custom route , substance abuser could take specific road they require to travel on for scenic purposes or just overall familiarity with the itinerary itself .
Apple could also bring topographical maps to the iPhone with iOS 18 . Topographic maps , introduced in watchOS 10 , show trails , contour lines , elevation , points of interest , and more on the map .
Hearing Aid mode for AirPods Pro
Though it was originally rumored for the next iteration of theAirPods Pro , it looks like iOS 18 will lend a listening assistance mode for the current - gen AirPods Pro rather . This will be done through a software package update , which will be honorable tidings for current owner of AirPods Pro .
Right now , AirPods Pro has a Conversation Boost feature that increases the volume of those utter directly in front of the wearer . It ’s unclear what a hearing attention mode would do differently at this peak , but it ’s something to watch out for .
More accessibility features
iOS 18 will also bring a slew of novel accessibility features for users . There will belike be a Modern Adaptive Voice Shortcuts feature article , take into account substance abuser to create tradition phrases and connect a certain availability setting to that phrase . This would work with VoiceOver , Voice Control , Zoom , and more .
The resilient Speech feature of speech that debut in iOS 17 will belike get new category , permit user to better organise their hope set phrase . expand support for adjustable textbook size of it in more apps is also possible .
iOS 18 is coming soon
We expect iOS 18 to be let out at the WWDC 2024 tonic on June 10 . Typically , a developer beta will follow out not long after that , followed by a public beta . The general release of Io 18 will be in the dusk alongside theiPhone 16launch .
Are you wondering if your iPhone will be able to support iOS 18 ? Current rumour paint a picture that if you were capable to upgrade to iOS 17 , then you should be able to get iOS 18 .
Here ’s a tilt of what devices should make the cut :
regrettably , anything old than that belike wo n’t get the iOS 18 update . But considering that the oldest iPhone on the list came out in 2018 , it ’s really not too big . Just do n’t expect all of the latest features in iOS 18 to forge on those older devices ( e.g. , AI feature ) .
