iOS 18 Unveiled at WWDC 2024: Siri, Messages, Notes, Safari, and More Get Revamped

New Delhi. The much-awaited Apple iOS 18 beta for select iPhones is anticipated to roll bank soon in the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) which is all set to kick off on June 10. While Apple is largely focusing on AI integration within its native apps for iPhones with iOS 18, the next generation is likely to bring new design elements, too. 

Messages features

iOS 18 will introduce support for the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard in the Messages app. This will enhance messaging between iPhone and Android users with features like higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and improved group chats.

Siri

New accessibility features are being added, including Voice Shortcuts that may function without the "Hey Siri" prompt, improved Live Speech with organizational upgrades, and better font size control across more apps. There are also rumors of a new hearing aid mode for AirPods Pro, making them a more viable assistive tool for those with hearing impairments.

Home Screen Customization

Users will be able to customize their Home Screen more freely, including adding blank spaces, columns, and rows, and even changing the color of app icons.

Notes

While making other significant changes and improvements, Apple is likely to bring Notes app for iPhones that will have the ability to record and embed voice notes in between text. Not only this, the app is also likely to get the ability to transcribe voice into texts. 

Safari

A new browsing assistant and a Web Eraser tool to remove unwanted elements from web pages can also be introduced
It is worth to be noted that these features mark a significant update aimed at improving user experience and functionality across the iPhone ecosystem.

App Updates

Apple Music: Improved cross-fading and auto-generated playlists.
Calculator: A revamped interface with unit conversion and integration with the Notes app.
Calendar and Reminders: Tighter integration, allowing scheduling and organizing within one app.
Mail, Photos, and Fitness: Major overhauls, including AI-powered photo retouching and suggested replies in Mail.