This fall, Apple plans to release the latest iOS 18 operating system, which will be available to the iPhone 16 line, and then to all supported models of the brand. Technologists, developers, and ordinary users are eagerly awaiting the release of iOS 18. The main reason for this anticipation is artificial intelligence. But what specific innovations will appear in the next version of Apple’s operating system? Let’s figure it out.
When to expect the iOS 18 presentation
The full release of iOS 18 will take place in September along with the iPhone 16 line. However, insider reports indicate that the public presentation of the system will take place in advance – at WWDC 2024, which Apple will hold from June 10 to 14.
The beta version, according to tradition, will also appear in advance, even before the release of the iPhone 16. The only question is which functions will be available to participants in the preliminary testing program, and which will remain the prerogative of the new generation of Apple smartphones.
New features
What to expect from iOS 18? Apple’s new operating system, if rumors are to be believed, will be packed with all currently available AI functions. However, at the same time, all of them must be organically integrated into the interface and not distract the user, but, on the contrary, simplify the usual ways of interacting with a smartphone. Some insiders predict that iOS 18 will become the most optimized and convenient OS for interacting with AI.
ChatGPT integration
Apple is in talks with OpenAI to integrate the company’s technologies into iOS 18. However, it is unknown what specific technologies are being discussed. However, we can assume that we are talking about the ChatGPT chatbot or about individual generative AI functions.
Updated Notes and Voice Recorder apps
In the new OS, Apple will significantly redesign the standard Notes and Voice Recorder applications. In “Dictaphone” it will be possible to transcribe audio into text, and in “Notes” you can translate texts, change the style, compose short summaries of materials and convert voice notes into text ones.
Updates in other applications
- Apple will add powerful AI to the iWork office suite (Keynote, Pages, Numbers) , which will help with writing texts, recommend how to create a presentation, and tell you how to create and use formulas in the local equivalent of Excel.
- The Safari browser will be able to paraphrase the content of web pages and automatically hide unwanted elements such as advertisements.
- The standard email app will be able to better filter out spam thanks to AI.
- A history of calculations will appear in the Calculator application , and the calculator itself can be used natively in Notes.
- AI in Apple Music will be able to create playlists based on the user’s music preferences. Algorithms will analyze what kind of music the user likes and, based on this, recommend appropriate compositions.
- The Health application will analyze your body’s indicators and provide personalized recommendations for improving your health. Most likely, you will need an Apple Watch for accurate work.
- Editing photos and videos in the standard gallery application will become even more convenient. With the help of AI, you can quickly select objects, edit or delete them, and copy them to other applications as a separate file.
Siri update
The much-criticized voice assistant Siri is getting a major overhaul. According to rumors, Apple is working on its own LLM (Large Language Model), which will make Siri an ideal mobile assistant with the ability to conduct a natural dialogue with the user. Siri will also “remember” and transfer information between connected devices. For example, if a user starts a conversation on an iPhone, they can continue it on an iPad or HomePod while maintaining the context and line of the conversation. The work of Siri with “Short Commands” will also be improved, thanks to which users will be able to launch many more scenarios with their voice.
R.C.S.
In iOS 18, Apple will add the SMS and MMS Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, which is already used on Android. At the same time, iMessage will not disappear anywhere, and RCS will act as an alternative. What will it give? The new standard will actually turn the usual application for sending SMS/MMS into a kind of messenger. Users will be able to send large files, including high-resolution videos and photos, give reactions and see whether the recipient has read the message. RCS will work free of charge over Wi-Fi to send files, photos and videos, but messages will consume the SMS package in accordance with the tariff plan.
AirPods Pro hearing aid mode
The current generation AirPods Pro headphones will receive support for hearing aid mode: the feature will arrive as an update. It was previously thought that Apple would make it exclusive to the next generation of AirPods Pro, but it appears that the feature won’t require new hardware to work.
Which iPhones can be updated?
All supported iPhone lines will be updated to iOS 18: from X to 15, as well as SE 2020/2023 models. However, whether all new AI functions will be supported on “older” models is a big question. The fact is that Apple will install powerful neural engines in the new A18 chips for the iPhone 16. It is possible that without them, some AI functionality simply will not be able to work on older iPhone models.
