What's New in iOS 18
Apple is known for its innovation and creativity in the tech industry, and every year, it releases new software updates for its devices that bring new features and improvements. This year, Apple is expected to launch iOS 18, the latest version of its operating system for iPhone and iPad, in September 2024.
iOS 18 is rumored to be a major update that will introduce many new functionalities, especially in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). In this article, we will explore what's new in iOS 18, how it will change the way we use our devices, and what we can expect from the future of mobile.
A smarter Siri
One of the most anticipated features of iOS 18 is a revamped version of Siri, Apple's voice assistant. Siri has been around since 2011, but it has often been criticized for being less intelligent and capable than its competitors, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. However, iOS 18 is said to change that by making Siri more powerful and responsive, thanks to a new AI system that incorporates large language model technology.
Large language models are AI systems that can generate natural language based on a huge amount of data. They can understand complex queries, provide relevant answers, and even generate original content. Some examples of large language models are GPT-3, which can write anything from essays to code, and Copilot, which can assist developers with coding suggestions. Apple is reportedly developing its own large language model, codenamed "Project Titan", that will power Siri and other AI features in iOS 18.
With Project Titan, Siri will be able to handle more complex and natural requests, such as booking a flight, ordering food, or playing a game. Siri will also be able to take advantage of the context and the user's preferences to provide personalized and proactive suggestions. For example, Siri could remind you of an upcoming appointment, suggest a playlist based on your mood, or offer to call a friend you haven't talked to in a while. Siri will also be able to integrate with third-party apps and services, such as Spotify, Netflix, or Uber, to provide a seamless and convenient experience.
AI integration in Messages
Another app that will benefit from the new AI system in iOS 18 is Messages, the default messaging app for iPhone and iPad. Messages will get a new feature called "Smart Reply", which will allow users to field questions and auto-complete sentences with the help of AI. For example, if someone asks you "What are you doing today?", Messages could suggest possible replies, such as "Not much, just relaxing at home" or "I'm going to the mall with some friends". You can then choose the reply that suits you best, or type your own.
Smart Reply will also be able to generate emojis, GIFs, and stickers based on the context and the tone of the conversation. For example, if someone sends you a funny joke, Messages could suggest a laughing emoji or a GIF of a comedian. You can also use voice commands to dictate your messages, and Messages will transcribe them accurately and add punctuation and capitalization automatically.
Another feature that Messages may get in iOS 18 is RCS support. RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and it is a new messaging standard that offers features like higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and improved group chats. RCS is similar to iMessage, Apple's own messaging service, but it works across different devices and platforms, such as Android and Windows. RCS is already supported by some carriers and apps, such as Google Messages, but Apple has not yet adopted it. However, some reports suggest that Apple may finally support RCS in iOS 18, which would make messaging more universal and interoperable.
New AI features for Apple Music
Apple Music, Apple's streaming service, will also get some new AI features in iOS 18. One of them is called "Auto-Playlists", which will create auto-generated playlists based on your preferences and listening history. For example, you could ask Siri to play some music for your workout, and Apple Music will create a playlist of songs that match your taste and tempo. You could also ask Siri to play some music for your mood, and Apple Music will create a playlist of songs that suit your emotions. You can also customize and share your auto-playlists with your friends and family.
Another feature that Apple Music may get in iOS 18 is called "Music Discovery", which will help you discover new songs and artists that you may like. Music Discovery will use AI to analyze your music taste and recommend songs and artists that are similar or related to what you listen to. You can also browse different genres, moods, and themes, and find new music that matches your interests. Music Discovery will also show you the latest releases, trending songs, and curated playlists from Apple Music editors and experts.
Integrating generative AI into iWork apps
iWork is Apple's suite of productivity apps, which includes Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. iWork apps will also get some new features in iOS 18, thanks to the integration of generative AI. Generative AI is a type of AI that can create new content, such as text, images, or audio, based on some input or data. For example, Copilot, the AI assistant that I'm using to write this article, is a generative AI system that can generate natural language based on a prompt or a topic.
With generative AI, iWork apps will be able to offer auto-summarizing and auto-complete features for writing and presentation creation. For example, if you are writing a report in Pages, you can ask Siri to summarize the main points of your document, and Pages will generate a concise summary for you. You can also use Siri to auto-complete sentences or paragraphs, and Pages will suggest possible ways to continue your writing. Similarly, if you are creating a presentation in Keynote, you can ask Siri to generate slides or graphics based on your data or topic, and Keynote will create them for you. You can also use Siri to add transitions, animations, or effects to your slides, and Keynote will apply them automatically.
Adding generative AI features to Xcode
Xcode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) for creating apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Xcode will also get some new features in iOS 18, thanks to the addition of generative AI features. Generative AI will allow developers to write new applications more quickly and easily with code completion and suggestions. For example, if you are coding in Swift, Apple's programming language, you can ask Siri to complete a line of code or a function, and Xcode will suggest possible ways to do it. You can also ask Siri to generate code snippets or templates based on your requirements, and Xcode will create them for you. You can also use Siri to debug, test, or run your code, and Xcode will do it for you.
Conclusion
IOS 18 is the upcoming major software update for iPhone and iPad, expected to be released in September 2024. iOS 18 will introduce many new features and improvements, especially in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). iOS 18 will make Siri smarter and more capable, integrate AI into Messages and Apple Music, and add generative AI features to iWork apps and Xcode. iOS 18 will change the way we use our devices, and pave the way for the future of mobile.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, and learned something new about iOS 18. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you. And if you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family, and subscribe to my tech blog for more articles like this. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more updates on iOS 18.