Apple is all set to unveil the iOS 18 for iPhones next month. Here’s what we know about one of the biggest iOS updates in years.
With a few more weeks left for Apple’s 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, the tech giant seems to be gearing up to introduce one of the biggest iOS overhauls ever. Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system – iOS 18 is said to bring a lot of new AI-powered features, some of which might even run on the device itself. From upcoming AI features to RCS support, here’s what we know so far about the iOS 18.
AI Powered iOS 18: Siri and Safari
Apple CEO Tim Cook has already clarified that iOS 18 will pack several new AI-powered features. While he did not share any information on what they could be, a new report by AppleInsider suggests that the focus will be on improving Siri, the default voice assistant on iPhones.
It looks like Siri will soon be able to analyse and summarise texts with the Messages app. According to Bloomberg, the voice assistant might also get the ability to auto-complete text in Messages, answer complex queries, and an improved Shortcuts app integration to automate complex tasks.
The publication had previously also hinted that Apple is working on an “Intelligent Search” feature for Safari that might let iPhone users quickly summarise web pages using Apple’s in-house developed AI large language model – Ajax. Also, it looks like Ajax will alert users before it accesses your data from Safari and Messages.
In the last few weeks, several research papers published by Apple hint that these AI features will run locally on the device itself. The report corroborates the same and says that Ajax will use on-device processing to generate simple responses, but at times, it may use cloud servers to answer more complex requests like image generation. With the tech giant reportedly talking to both Google and OpenAI, it remains to be seen which company Apple will partner up with to bring these AI capabilities.
For years, Apple has stuck with its proprietary iMessage, but earlier this year, the tech giant announced that it will support the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol with iOS 18. This means iPhone users will soon be able to talk to their friends with Android devices and share videos in high quality.
Visual Revamp: iOS 18
Rumour also has it that iOS 18 might take some sort of inspiration from visionOS, the software that powers the Apple Vision Pro. If true, we might see some element modifications like circular icons, translucent UI’s that blend with the operating system and a revamped control centre to name a few.
The update is also said to bring some new customisation features like more control over app icon arrangement and the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns on the home screen.
Which iPhones will get the iOS 18 update?
While Apple is yet to share the list of supported devices, any phone launched after iPhone 11 is said to be eligible for iOS 18. This means we might see iOS landing on the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 series, and the iPhone SE (3rd gen).
Apple will unveil the iOS 18 update at the WWDC 2024, which is scheduled to take place on June 10, so we will have to wait a few more weeks to see what the tech giant has in store for iPhone users.