The WWDC 2024, Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, is about to unveil the highly anticipated iOS 18 update. This release promises to be one of the most impactful, with multiple enhancements in every built-in app. Therefore, just one week away from its release, let's look at the specific improvements and major new features each app will receive with iOS 18.
iOS 18 and Artificial Intelligence
It seems Apple is ready to "break new ground" in the field of artificial intelligence with iOS 18, which might take some inspiration from visionOS, and will be compatible with all these iPhone and iPad models.
From creating videos from text, modifying images with voice commands to Siri, automating software development with Xcode, and more, several of these AIs have already been confirmed and patented. And Tim Cook has already shown his excitement for what's to come.
With generative AI, Apple plans to enhance Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, as well as most applications, with capabilities that will allow users to interact much more naturally and efficiently, facilitating more intuitive and personalized interactions.
More Customizable Home Screen
As we discussed a few months ago, for the first time, iPhone users hope to have the freedom to organize icons on the home screen without restrictions, being able to create empty spaces and align the icons as we wish, without following the usual grid. This flexibility would make it possible to adapt the screen to our taste and needs. Additionally, with iOS 18 it is rumored that we may be able to change the color of the application icons.
Accessibility and CarPlay
iOS 18 plans to expand accessibility functions, incorporating tools such as Eye Tracking, to control the device with eye movements, and Vehicle Motion Cues, to help users better understand the motion (acceleration, braking, or turns) of the transport vehicle they are in through auditory or haptic signals. Musical interactions would also be improved, and more advanced voice commands would be added for more accessible and personalized navigation.
Meanwhile, CarPlay is also expected to receive accessibility improvements, including Sound Recognition to alert drivers and passengers with hearing disabilities of important sounds like sirens and horns.
Messages and RCS
The Messages app may introduce the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard, significantly improving communication between iOS and Android devices. This standard, which would equal the experience offered by third-party apps like WhatsApp, would allow sharing high-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, and better management of group chats, even allowing iPhone users to leave group conversations that include Android devices.
In addition, it is rumored that Messages will use generative artificial intelligence to autocomplete sentences more effectively and automatically generate personalized emojis based on message content.
Other Applications
Apple Maps
The improvements in Apple Maps are likely to be twofold. The first, the option to create personalized routes, allowing us to select specific paths for convenience or scenic interest reasons. There is also talk of introducing topographic maps, which would include details like trails, contour lines, and elevations, ideal for outdoor activities and more detailed explorations.
Productivity Apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
We expect Apple's productivity suite, iWork, to receive major updates. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote might integrate generative AI features that, for example, would allow the auto-generation of slides in Keynote, much faster writing in Pages, etc. All this would facilitate the creation of content quickly and efficiently.
Mail, Apple Music, Photos
Thanks to generative AI, Apple Music might offer the ability to auto-generate playlists tailored to users' tastes and habits. Mail, for its part, could bring the ability to suggest responses to emails, based on the AI analysis of received content. Meanwhile, the Photos app might include AI-driven image retouching.
Calculator
The Calculator app could be redesigned with a more intuitive interface, include a sidebar that would display recent calculations, and an increased ease of converting units. Additionally, it's very likely we'll see an integration with the Notes app and, for the first time, see the Calculator on iPads.
Calendar and Reminders
It's rumored that the Reminders app will be integrated into the Calendar app. This would allow us to manage and organize reminders directly from the Calendar app, without needing to open the Reminders app.
Notes and Voice Memos
With iOS 18, the Notes app is expected to support mathematical notations and complex formulas, which will be especially useful for students and professionals. Additionally, it might incorporate an audio recording tool directly in the app, eliminating the need to use Voice Memos. Also, both the Notes and Voice Memos apps are anticipated to have the capability to automatically transcribe audio.
Shortcuts and Freeform
There are rumors that Shortcuts will enable users to automate complex tasks more easily. Meanwhile, Freeform, Apple's drawing app, may introduce a new feature called "Scenes," which would allow users to select and navigate specific sections of the canvas, making it easier to work on large or complex projects.
Safari
With iOS 18, Safari may introduce a new navigation assistant, designed to quickly summarize web pages and make it easier to find relevant information without scrolling through extensive content. Additionally, the inclusion of a "Web Eraser" feature is rumored, which would allow users to remove specific elements from web pages, enhancing the browsing experience and personalization of the viewed content.
With so many promising updates and the power of AI ahead, iOS 18 is shaping up to be one of the biggest updates to date, one that would revolutionize our user experience, making every aspect of the operating system more intuitive, customizable, and accessible. We'll know more details on June 10th at 10 a.m. (Pacific Time), during the opening keynote of the much-anticipated WWDC of 2024.
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