WASHINGTON — Apple has unveiled iOS 18, the newest update for iPhones, and it comes with a lot of new features.
The software was previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference Monday, and Apple expects to launch it for users sometime this year.
Most of the highlights are focused on AI, as Apple tries to get in on the crowded race to create a widely-used artificial intelligence program.
Apple's new AI platform, dubbed "Apple Intelligence," will use Siri to help carry out actions between apps and boost the assistant's range of capabilities. AI can also help manage and prioritize notifications, and summarize text in searches, email and other apps. There will be functions that can help you write text and change the tone of it as well, similar to other popular gen AI platforms.
But the tech firm is trying hard to convince consumers that the iPhone won’t be used to spy on them. Apple is harnessing its chip technology so most of its AI-powered features are handled on the device itself instead of at remote data centers, often called “the cloud,” thus keeping users data local.
When Apple users make AI demands that require computing power beyond what’s available on the device, the tasks will be handled by what the company is calling a “private cloud” that is supposed to shield their personal data.
Here's everything new iOS 18 can do
Meet the new Siri
With the integration of Apple Intelligence, Siri will have a number of new capabilities when iOS 18 launches.
The assistant will be able to take actions inside apps, answer thousands of questions about how to do things with an iPhone and take action when something new appears on screen (such as updating a contact with new information if the user gets a text with an update).
It's also just generally smarter and more conversational. You won't need to repeat certain things while scheduling events or sending messages, because Siri will remember them from earlier in the conversation. And it will understand your requests better, even if you stumble on your words.
Home Screen customization
When an iPhone user unlocks their phone, they are met with their customizable home screen, full of apps and widgets. In iOS 18, you'll be able to put app icons and widgets anywhere in the home screen grid, turn on dark mode (which changes the app icons) and change the tint color of the screen.
Control Panel upgrades
The iPhone's control panel, which users swipe down to access, has new controls and will let users put specific interactions as shortcuts — such as pressing a button to turn off the lights at home.
New iMessage features
iPhone users will be able to schedule messages to be sent at specific times, and add various effects to messages being sent. Users will be able to add bold, italics, strikethroughs and underline words before sending.
They'll also be able to add animated effects to just about anything sent through iMessage.
And Apple is introducing a series of animated tap backs to allow users to instantly reply with any emoji or sticker, giving its app abilities similar to other messaging platforms like Google Chat or WhatsApp.
What's a Genmoji?
Using the new Apple Intelligence, Apple users will be able to create custom emojis to match any situation. All you have to do is provide a description of what you want, and the phone will create a new emoji you can use, as well as some other options if the first one doesn't fit the message you're crafting.
Better communication with Android phones
iOS 18 also brings Rich Communication Services, or RCS, to iPhones. The new chat protocol delivers higher quality media and allows users to see read and delivered notifications for those who aren't using iPhones.
A Photos redesign
Apple has promised the biggest overhaul of the Photos app ever with iOS 18. You'll be able to filter photos, search by year or month and create new arrangements of photos to keep them organized.
You've got new mail
The new Mail app will include separate tabs for different emails, meaning a less cluttered inbox for anybody trying to find a particular message. Similar to how Gmail sorts its messages, iOS 18 will sort emails into one of four categories: primary messages, updates, transactions and promotions.
A new mail digest feature will also make its debut, letting users skim important emails faster.
Locking apps
Apple is also stepping up its privacy game, adding a new Passwords app designed to allow users to store and access their website passwords, wi-fi log-in credentials and other verification codes. It will also tell users if they have a weak password or one that has been used multiple times.
Users will also be able to hide or lock apps, requiring a passcode or Face ID verification to open them.