Apple has never been shy about borrowing functionality from a program: Back in 2002, the company released a small search engine, Sherlock 3, that closely replicated the functionality from external developer Karelia Software’s $29 Watson program.
Of course, the free Sherlock destroyed the paid Watson, so since then the term “Sherlock” is used if Apple releases an application or adds some kind of function, looking at it on the side. analogue of our verb “undercut“
If you don’t want to save the beta versions of the new iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, but want to check out the new features now, here are five features that are already available in apps from the App Store:
1. New application “Passwords”
For the first time, new operating systems have a built-in “Passwords” application for storing passwords and other personal information. Before this, a password manager was simply part of the settings system, so many people used external, more convenient and cross-platform solutions to store their credentials.
Moreover, these analogues are much more functional, have integration with Android, Windows and Linux and can store, in addition to passwords, other valuable information, for example, addresses and credit card numbers.
📍 Download analogue: 1Password, LastPass, BitWarden, Proton Pass
2. Recording and transcribing calls
In iOS 18, Apple introduced built-in call recording and transcription, a feature many have been waiting for a long time. True, now it is not available in the beta version, and then it will only work in English.
So if you need to record and transcribe your conversations right now, try an app like TapeACall. There are nuances in its setup and operation due to the closed nature of iOS, but this application nevertheless works in its functions.
And he’s even already fluent in Russian.
📍 Download analogue: TapeACall
3. Transcription of voice notes.
In addition to transcribing calls, Apple also allows you to translate the text of voice recordings in Notes. The same thing has long been owned by several applications from the App Store, such as Otter, AudioPen or Voicenotes.
Moreover, Otter is great for transcribing not only audio notes, but also video calls, as well as voice notes that have support for artificial intelligence, which analyzes the text and can shorten it or format it according to specified settings.
📍 Download analogue: Otter, AudioPen, voice notes.
4. Mirror iPhone screen to Mac
In macOS Sequoia, you can duplicate the screen of your iPhone on a Mac and even control smartphone applications using the touchpad and keyboard. You can receive notifications and easily drag and drop files, photos and videos between devices.
However, you can do the same now without updating to the macOS beta, just install the Bezel application. True, to fully control your smartphone using a Mac, you need to connect these two devices using a cable, but if you want to evaluate the performance of future features of Apple’s operating system, it makes sense to bother.
📍 Download analogue: Bezel
5. Arrangement of windows on the screen.
Windows and Linux have been allowing you to customize the layout of windows on the screen for years, but this is the first time the functionality has appeared on the Mac. It’s good that there are third-party applications that you can already install and use with pleasure.
Unlike the built-in feature of macOS Sequoia, developers can resize applications from window panels, create different workspaces with docked windows and, accordingly, stick shortcuts to them, close an open window, and much more. try.
📍 Download analogue: Magnet (RUB 499), Rectangle
6. Creating natural emoticons
Another expected feature of Apple’s new operating systems is the ability to create new emoji using suggestions and artificial intelligence.
It’s not possible to test this “killer feature” yet, but you can play around with Newji’s applications, which can do the same thing.
📍 Download analogue: Newji
There is no need to wait for the release of macOS and iOS 18
As you can see, smart guys read in Cupertino and are gradually introducing and implementing their software ideas with the participation of application developers. And this is not bad, because our operating systems become adapted without the need to install special programs from the App Store.
But there is still time before the release of macOS and other Apple products, so test and use the applications that we have collected in this post. After all, Apple is very smart. trimmed their functionality.
On topic:
● 42 new features in iOS 18. All new information and changes.
● Apple introduced macOS 15 Sequoia. What’s interestnig
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
