The operating system for iPhone, iOS 18, will be available next September, but Apple has already lifted the veil on the main new features of this update. This year, the emphasis was on personalization, with a fully modular home screen.
iOS 18 will be a major update for the iPhone, notably with the addition of all artificial intelligence features, grouped under the name Apple Intelligence. The Apple brand nevertheless has other new features to highlight this year to offer an enriched experience to its users. This year is all about personalization, with options awaited for ages for iPhone owners, but also some very practical additions to classify and organize your emails and photos automatically. Overview of the main features announced by Apple during its WWDC 2024 keynote.
A home screen with infinitely customizable and rearrangeable icons
iOS 18 will bring much more flexibility in the organization of icons. These will no longer be automatically reorganized by the operating system, in the form of a rigid grid, but can be placed anywhere on the home screen, to no longer hide your photo in full screen.
Apple brings, and this is a surprise, options for customizing icons, in the same way as on Android today. It is possible to opt for an alternative version when Dark mode is activated, or to change the theme of the icons so that they adapt perfectly to your wallpaper. A selector allows you to modify the colors for perfect compatibility.
iOS 18 will finally allow you to modify the two Camera and Flashlight buttons on the lock screen, with other options to choose from in the settings.
A new Control Center
The Control Center has a new look with a new, more flashy and colorful look, and new round icons. In addition to the options provided by Apple, third-party applications can now integrate into this part of the system and offer quick controls, particularly in the connected home sector.
Messages offers new options
New in Messages! The instant messaging application offers new functions to further personalize your interactions with loved ones. It will soon be possible to use any emoji to react to a message, in addition to the usual hearts and thumbs up.
Messages also allows you to schedule a message in advance, so you never forget a birthday again. A menu allows you to choose the date and time of sending, and the application then takes care of the sending.
Messages is finally enriched with new text effects, to add animation to a message. It will also be possible to format the text, with the addition of options to make a word bold, italic or underline and strike out.
Messages finally allows you to send short messages using the satellite connection, available from the iPhone 14. If you no longer have a network, you can still communicate with your loved ones to share urgent information with them.
Your mail automatically sorted by Mail
Mail was clearly lagging behind with an application that had not really evolved in several years. iOS 18 responds to criticism with the addition of automatic filters to sort your mail upon receipt.
The email client is able to analyze your received emails to classify them according to their importance and subject. Important emails are highlighted, newsletters are automatically grouped in a dedicated list. This way, the inbox is not polluted by emails that may wait a few hours before being read.
Photos gets a new design and new capabilities
The Photos application is finally redesigned, with a new presentation. The photo grid now only takes up two thirds of the screen. At the bottom we find content suggestions, classified and presented according to different themes such as travel, groups of friends and more.
Photos will also intelligently present a group of photos taken a few days ago, and classified according to their relevance. These categories will be customizable by the user, who will be able to choose their arrangement as they wish.
More security for third-party apps
Last option, and not least: iOS 18 will protect any application with Face ID or Touch ID biometric authentication. Although some software already offers this additional layer of security, it is now integrated by default into the operating system.
iOS 18 will be available in September 2024. A public beta will be offered from next July to preview these brand new features.
Source: Apple Keynote
Grand master of robot vacuum cleaners and home automation who lives in a “house of the future”. I also like talking about films and series on the internet. Eternal padawan, curious about everything related to new technologies.
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