4 features announced by Apple that will make iOS 18 its 'best update yet'
Apple has been busy working on its latest iOS 18 update, which is expected to roll out in mid-September 2024. Following leaks and speculation, the tech giant has finally revealed some of the exciting features set to be included. Among the highlights are innovative AirPods upgrades, a new ‘Tap to Cash’ feature, and ‘Genmojis’. The feature generating the most buzz is the enhanced AI capabilities, with the introduction of ‘Apple Intelligence’, which involves the integration of Open AI’s ChatGPT.
Apple is unveiling all the features of iOS 18 at their WWDC Developers Conference in California this week. However, amid the excitement, many people may have missed one or two key updates by Apple that are likely to come as great news to all iPhone users.
Home screen and Control Centre customisation
“We’re also going to be given the option of even more customisation on our iPhone’s home screen and Control Centre, including being able to arrange our apps around the photo we’ve set as our background image so it doesn’t cover it up. This feature is perfect for anyone who takes pride in having an aesthetically pleasing phone, as you’ll have much more control over where apps and widgets are placed. This is another brilliant step by Apple. It caters to the personalisation trend, allowing users to make their devices truly their own. This increased flexibility in app arrangement and theming shows Apple’s understanding of user desires for individuality and aesthetic control.”
Apple Intelligence
“It’s clear Apple is keen to shout about the new, enhanced AI features and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, particularly after seeing the amazing capabilities being introduced by the likes of Google and Samsung recently. The speculation surrounding iOS 18 was all about Siri becoming more natural, easier to talk to and less like a bot with improved responses, just like you see when you ask a chatbot to do something. And it looks like that’s exactly what we’re going to see from Apple – with users set to be able to tap into OpenAI’s ChatGPT when using Siri. Using AI to turn voice memos into text is common nowadays. It’s already available on the Google Pixel, but this will be music to the ears of Apple customers. This will literally benefit everyone – from asking for tips and advice on how to make dinner to asking Siri to come up with a bedtime story for your child. It’ll also be good to see how additional capabilities such as ‘context-driven’ notifications, image generation, and cross-application tasking will transform how many of us use our phones on a day-to-day basis. That same system will also level up on Apple’s emojis too. ‘Genmojis’ will enable users to create custom emojis that match their imagination – want to send a dog on an upside-down rollercoaster? With this feature, the expectation is that won’t be a problem! You’ll also be able to make them look just like your friends which will be super cool to see. Your iPhone will be able to suggest emojis based on what you’re typing too, making communication even more expressive – and easy. Integrating advanced AI features into iOS 18 is a much-needed move by Apple. It shows their commitment to keeping up with competitors while providing their loyal user base with cutting-edge technology.”
Tap to cash
“It was difficult to pick a favorite from the long list of updates announced by Apple at WWDC because it does sound like iOS 18 could be their best update yet. But the new Tap to Cash feature seems like a real no brainer and another great initiative. This innovative feature will allow users to transfer cash by tapping together a pair of phones, with Apple telling us that transactions will take place without exchanging personal information. It’s the logical next step for Apple Pay – and of course the devil will be in the detail as to its security – but it seems a positive way of speeding up a process that even in this day and age is often too clunky and time-consuming.”
Airpods upgrades
“An update that has taken some by surprise is the welcome boost being given to AirPods. iOS 18’s new ‘Siri Interactions’ feature includes exciting new gesture controls for your headphones – including detecting head motions by nodding to answer and shaking to reject calls; and voice isolation, meaning you can keep your conversation going even in rooms with lots of background noise. With AirPods being an investment for many and markedly more expensive than many other competitors’ headphones, this will surely come as welcome news to iPhone users.”
