iOS 18 will change your iPhone forever: new home screen, loads of artificial intelligence capabilities and more

After waiting for so long, iOS 18 is official. Apple just announced all the news about the next version of its operating system for the iPhone in its first keynote at WWDC 2024.

He hype iOS 18 has been brewing for several months due to endless rumors about the features that Cupertino residents might include in this update. The focus on artificial intelligence and several other aesthetic and functional changes has led many to speculate that this could be the most important iPhone software update in history.

Luckily, we already know first-hand what will happen with iOS 18 when it can be installed on compatible mobile phones. And the first thing to note is new customization options. After many complaints, Apple is finally allowing users to arrange their icons and widgets as they wish. This means that you can place them anywhere on the home page and even increase their size.

iOS 18 takes customization a step further

Icon customization also stands out with the inclusion of a new dark mode. But that’s not all, as users can also choose a specific color to which the icons and all the aesthetics corresponding to the operating system fit.

A new one has been added to this Control center which allows you to change the order of the available options. From now on, it will be possible to change the location of controls and add third-party ones; for example, to unlock a car without entering the application. Users will be able to see the most frequently used controls grouped together or create new variations based on what suits their needs.

Additionally, for the first time, you’ll be able to change the default controls included in the lock screen (flashlight and camera) to any of the others found in the new Control Center. And if you prefer a cleaner interface, the option to disable these shortcuts will be added. On the other hand, users of the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max and future mobile models They will be able to call up quick controls using the action button..

Siri gets a long-awaited update thanks to Apple Intelligence

As rumors leading up to this event indicated, Siri This is one of the iOS 18 features that takes advantage of Apple Intelligence. The iPhone Virtual Assistant includes many improvements, as well as a new look.

The first thing to emphasize is that users will be able to talk to Siri more naturally. But not only that, it will also provide the ability to write orders for AI fulfillment when it is not possible to place orders using voice.

In iOS 18, Siri will also use Apple Intelligence to perform actions in iPhone apps. For example, you can ask the assistant to find specific photos saved in the gallery, quickly edit them and add them to a note.

Another point that stood out in the Apple Intelligence presentation was the integration ChatGPT. OpenAI chatbot will sync with Siri and it is free to use, without requiring a login and without recording user information. Additionally, those who pay for ChatGPT Plus or other subscription versions of AI will be able to link their accounts to get more from these tools.

More artificial intelligence

While Siri and ChatGPT integration are getting the most attention, iOS 18 adds more AI-powered features. A new tool stands out in the Apple Intelligence catalog rewrite, correct or even summarize the text I wrote in any application before.

This new feature works at the system level, so it works in both Cupertino-developed apps (Notes, Pages, Mail, etc.) and third-party tools.

Another new thing – Playground image. This utility takes advantage of generative artificial intelligence to create images in three predefined styles: sketch, animation, or illustration. The tool has a standalone app, but is also integrated into other apps included with iOS 18, such as Messages.

iOS 18 arrives with more privacy options and a major update for photos

iOS 18 also introduces a new privacy feature that lets you block application so it can only be opened with authentication. For example, through Face ID. This new tool also allows hide apps or folders on iPhone.

Apple also announced improvements to several apps in iOS 18. These include Apple Maps, Wallet, Journal and features. games. However, the highlights come in the app Photowhich, according to Cupertino residents, is undergoing the largest renovation in its history.

Very noticeable changes have been made to the gallery interface. In iOS 18, photos present a single view at the top, with images sorted by theme appearing at the bottom. There users have the opportunity browse different collections (memories, people, trips, etc.). A “recent days” view will be available, showing the most recent photos taken on the iPhone.

The update will allow everyone to choose which collections should be pinned to the top?to have faster access to these images. Photos will also allow you to filter certain content so it doesn’t appear in the image grid (such as screenshots), as well as view photos by month or year.

But that is not all. With Apple Intelligence, the iOS 18 Photos app will be able to create a movie of sorts using the images and videos available in the gallery. By simply entering a description in text format, the AI ​​will select media and create a narrative using those memories.

Added to this is a new tool called Clear, which works like Magic Eraser for Google Photos. This allows you to detect elements that may be distracting in the background of the image and easily eliminate them.

RCS and satellite messaging support

Apple also dedicated a good moment of the iOS 18 presentation to the presentation new options for text messages. Outside the US, this may not be too interesting, given the popularity of WhatsApp or Telegram. However, SMS is still quite important in North America.

As the company announced a few months ago, iOS 18 will introduce RCS protocol support. This will allow for richer messaging in conversations between iPhone and Android mobile device, without Apple having to open iMessage. Added to this are new text effects, the ability to schedule messages and support send SMS via satellite connection. The latter will work with the same technology as the Emergency SOS feature on the iPhone.

More iOS 18 news

As we indicated earlier, iOS 18 will bring interesting changes to other apps. Here we will tell you the most important things:

• Passwords: Another feature that was rumored before the event. This new app is based on iCloud Keychain technology and is offered as a more transparent tool to compete with third-party password managers.
• Mail: Apple’s email client will be able to automatically categorize incoming emails. This will be especially useful for determining the priority of messages.
• Game Mode: iOS 18 will introduce a new feature designed to get the most out of your iPhone’s performance while gaming. This feature will reduce background activity to maintain high frames per second in video games.
• Ratings: In iOS 18, all formulas and equations entered in notes are resolved automatically.
• Magazine: Improvements have been added to the app to track your goals and achieve them. It also adds a new widget for your home screen or lock screen. In addition, all audio recordings are automatically transcribed and can be exported as log entries.
• Apple Maps: New topographic maps specifically designed for planning walking routes.
• SOS emergency help: Users who need help will be able to provide context to their situation through live broadcasts or previously recorded recordings.
• Wallet: The distinctive feature of this application is cash on tapAn easy way to send money between people without having to exchange phone numbers.

The iOS 18 developer beta will be available starting today.. The public beta will be released next month, and the stable version will be released in the fall when the iPhone 16 hits the market.

In this article we tell you which iPhone models will be compatible with the new version of the operating system. And if you want to try iOS 18 on your device, here’s how you can install the developer beta. Please note that this is a pre-release software and may have errors and be unstable.