Apple has officially announced that iOS 18 will be released on September 16, bringing significant customization options to iPhones. However, the highly anticipated AI features will be delayed until later updates.
Customization Takes Center Stage
The most notable changes in iOS 18 focus on personalization:
- Flexible Home Screen Layout: Users can now freely arrange app icons and widgets anywhere on the screen, allowing for more creative and functional layouts.
- App Icon Tinting: Icon colors can be customized to match or contrast with wallpapers.
- Redesigned Control Center: For the first time, users can fully reorganize and customize Control Center tiles, including the ability to remove unwanted features.
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| iOS 18's revamped Control Center emphasizes user customization and accessibility |
Other Key Improvements
- New Password Manager: A dedicated Passwords app for securely storing login credentials across Apple devices and Windows.
- Enhanced Messages: RCS support for improved communication with Android users, plus message scheduling and expanded text formatting options.
- Apple Notes Upgrade: Basic arithmetic solving, voice note recording, and improved organization features.
- Privacy Enhancements: Granular contact sharing controls and a redesigned Privacy & Security settings page.
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| The new Passwords app in iOS 18 introduces secure password management across devices |
Apple Intelligence: The Waiting Game
While iOS 18 brings immediate enhancements, Apple's AI features – collectively known as Apple Intelligence – won't arrive until iOS 18.1 in October. Even then, the rollout will be gradual:
- Initial Release: Writing tools, photo/video search improvements, email summarization, and an upgraded Siri.
- Later Updates: Image generation, more advanced Siri capabilities, and ChatGPT integration.
Importantly, Apple Intelligence will only be available on newer devices: the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro models, and iPads/Macs with M1 chips or later.
Availability
iOS 18 will be available for all iPhones that can currently run iOS 17. The update is expected to roll out globally at 1 p.m. ET on September 16.
While Apple fans may be disappointed by the delay in AI features, the extensive customization options in iOS 18 represent a significant shift in Apple's typically rigid approach to iOS design. This update lays the groundwork for potentially more transformative changes as Apple's AI strategy unfolds in the coming months.
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| iOS 18 highlights the new features and enhancements available for users |