Apple today previewed iOS 18, a groundbreaking release that brings unprecedented customization options, a major redesign of the Photos app, powerful new connectivity features, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a revolutionary personal intelligence system.
Key Highlights
Enhanced Customization Options:
- Home Screen and Lock Screen Customization: Users can now arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen and customize buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen.
- Control Center Redesign: Easier access to everyday controls with more customization options, including support for third-party app controls.
Photos App Redesign:
- Unified View and New Collections: Photo libraries are organized in a single view with new collections for easier access to favorites.
- Carousel View: Daily updated highlights featuring favorite people, pets, and places.
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Apple Intelligence:
- Personal Intelligence System: Combines generative models with personal context, enhancing language and image understanding and taking actions across apps.
- Privacy-Focused: Built with privacy from the ground up, leveraging Apple silicon for on-device processing and secure server-based models.
Improved Connectivity:
- Messages Over Satellite: Allows communication via satellite in the Messages app when cellular or Wi-Fi is unavailable.
- iMessage Enhancements: New text effects, formatting options, and expanded Tapbacks with any emoji or sticker.
Mail App Updates:
- Inbox Simplification: On-device intelligence sorts emails into categories like Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.
- Digest View: Aggregates relevant emails from businesses for quick scanning.
Safari Enhancements:
- Highlights and Redesigned Reader: Machine learning surfaces key information, and Reader offers a distraction-free experience with summaries and tables of contents.
New Privacy Features:
- Locked and Hidden Apps: Users can lock or hide apps, keeping notifications and content private.
- Specific Contact Sharing: Allows users to share only specific contacts with apps.
Additional Features:
- Apple Maps: Custom walking routes, offline access, and a Places Library.
- Game Mode: Improved frame rates and responsive accessories for gaming.
- Apple Pay and Wallet: New ways to redeem rewards, access installments, and share event information.
- AirPods Enhancements: Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio, and new Siri Interactions.
- Notes and Journal: Math Notes, collapsible sections, journaling insights, and transcribed audio recordings.
- Calendar and Health App Updates: Integrated reminders, redesigned Medical ID, and Emergency SOS Live Video.
- Home App: Guest access, hands-free unlock, and energy usage insights.
- Accessibility: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, expressed excitement about iOS 18, stating, “This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it.”
iOS 18 will be available later this year, bringing transformative features and enhancements that promise to make the iPhone more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever before.
