Earlier than Apple introduced iOS 18 on Monday at their Worldwide Builders Convention, I wasn’t wanting ahead to the following iPhone working system. I’ve examined dozens of iOS variations and quite a few options, however the rumored iOS 18 options did not spark pleasure for me. Leaks pointed to the implementation of generative synthetic intelligence, which made me dread the OS. I hoped I used to be unsuitable about iOS 18 — that it might provide some helpful new options individuals have been asking for — and it seems my want got here true.
Apple talked about a couple of new options that I did not discover compelling, and even essential, since you might already do a few of these issues. However total, when Apple’s iOS 18 presentation was over, I used to be impressed. I am wanting ahead to the working system’s fall launch, as a result of I am positive I am going to use a few of these adjustments for years to come back.
Listed below are some iOS 18 options from the presentation that I am wanting ahead to — and some I in all probability will not use a lot.
House and lock display customization
Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET
Thanks, Apple, but in addition, it is about time. I’ve needed each of those choices for some time, and I wasn’t anticipating getting them concurrently.
I’ve all the time felt bizarre about setting my spouse or canine as my background simply to have the Instagram or Spotify icons plastered over their faces. I’ve grouped apps in folders and hidden some icons within the App Library so they would not hinder my background. However with iOS 18, I will not run into that situation, as a result of I can organize my icons round my background.
I’ve additionally needed to alter my lock display’s capabilities since Android launched this means in 2023. I do not want a digital camera operate on my lock display once I can simply swipe proper to entry my digital camera. And I actually do not want my flashlight to activate once I put my telephone in my pocket. It wasn’t clear what capabilities could be accessible for the lock display, however I would in all probability get extra use out of Fast Notes.
Management Heart provides you extra… management
Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Management Heart is an iPhone characteristic that I might greatest describe as wonky. It feels filled with controls I do not essentially want, and I am unable to take away or alter them. Including controls is cumbersome and simply makes the characteristic really feel much more bloated.
However when Apple confirmed how iOS 18 permits you to customise your Management Heart format and provides you further Management Heart screens, I used to be excited. I am going to be capable of take the bloat from Management Heart and unfold it out throughout a number of screens. Simply including controls additionally makes this a characteristic I am going to possible get extra use out of shifting ahead as an alternative of throwing my palms up in frustration.
Together with the house and lock display, it appears like Apple is lastly listening to individuals’s wishes to customise their iPhone’s show options to raised go well with their wants and needs.
I am so excited for these Messages upgrades
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
I did not suppose I would be thrilled for brand new and alternative ways of sending messages to individuals, however right here we’re. Apple introduced that iOS 18 will allow you to schedule messages to ship later, add textual content results to emphasise phrases or phrases, and it will improve your Tapbacks — Apple’s model of Reactions. It is like Apple learn my thoughts about what I needed in Messages after which sprinkled in slightly extra.
First, scheduling messages for later has been on the high of my want listing for years. I’ve carried out shift work and had an uncommon sleep schedule for over a decade, so whereas most individuals are awake at 7 p.m. I am in mattress, and vice versa for 4 a.m. I do not need to wake individuals up with messages, and I recognize when individuals present me the identical courtesy.
Subsequent, I did not know I needed textual content results, however I actually do. I’ve quite a lot of emotions and am simply excitable, and I need to ensure that comes throughout in my messages. I need to daring and italicize phrases to emphasise issues. I need emojis to nod on display to point out my enthusiasm for one thing. And most of all, I need the particular person on the opposite finish of my messages to really feel how excited I’m for one thing and generally caps lock JUST DOESN’T DO THE TRICK.
Lastly, I welcome extra Tapbacks. The six present reactions — coronary heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, “Haha,” exclamation factors and query mark — may be complicated for some individuals or sign the top of a chat for others. You can use stickers to entry the complete vary of emojis to react to messages, however the sticker would normally block a part of the message. Extra reactions will hopefully assist talk an individual’s feelings shortly and succinctly and never depart as a lot up for interpretation.
There was additionally a brief point out of RCS coming to iPhones. I do know lots of people are excited in regards to the characteristic, however personally I am detached to it. My messages undergo with out RCS. I do know quite a lot of Android customers are completely satisfied about this variation, however I might have gone one other 5 years with out it on my iPhone, and I in all probability would not have seen.
Way of thinking in Journal
Your iPhone’s Journal app will get a couple of upgrades with iOS 18.
Patrick Holland/CNET
I commonly journal, and it wasn’t till Apple’s point out yesterday of this new characteristic within the Journal app that I noticed I solely actually recount what I did throughout the day. My entries are largely a strategy to bear in mind what I did. However hardly ever have I ever delved into how I felt throughout these moments I am writing about. So I am enthusiastic about this Journal improve that permits me to extra meaningfully mirror by myself psychological state by asking me how I am feeling. Yeah, it isn’t essentially the most flashy or intuitive in any approach, however I am hoping it is going to assist me hold monitor of my inside and exterior well-being.
Recreation Mode was a welcome shock
Jeff Carlson/CNET
Over the previous couple of years, I’ve began gaming increasingly on my iPhone 14 Professional. Subscriptions to Apple Arcade and Netflix Video games, in addition to connecting my Xbox controller to my iPhone, have made this transition to cellular gaming simple.
With Recreation Mode, background exercise is minimized, which implies I can hopefully play slightly longer with out concern of my iPhone dying or my sport being interrupted by a slew of notifications. That additionally means higher body charges and decrease latency for Bluetooth linked gadgets, like controllers, all of which ought to make gaming smoother on my iPhone.
I am not going to say your iPhone shall be your new favourite gaming console, but it surely might be a fantastic journey companion if you wish to sport on the go however do not have further room for a Change, Steamdeck or different handheld console.
iOS 18 options I in all probability will not use a lot
There have been a bunch of options Apple introduced at WWDC that I do not suppose I am going to get an entire lot of use out of, however others may.
New app privateness options
Conserving apps off your property display feels redundant since you may already take away apps from your property display and discover them in your App Library. Locking your apps might present an additional layer of safety in case your iPhone will get stolen, however having to unlock your telephone after which your apps may really feel cumbersome. I might additionally see locking apps being helpful for individuals with kids who need to hold their youngsters out of sure apps, however then we would not get these enjoyable movies of infants working round with their mother or father’s telephone, and I am not keen to surrender these nationwide treasures.
Extra Mail classes
I see the utility in having separate classes on your emails to maintain newsletters, adverts and different messages neatly organized, however I do not get sufficient emails each day to make this an enormous deal for me. I might see this being helpful for somebody with a piece telephone, although.
Topographic maps in Maps
If I have been a hiker, or lived in a hilly area, I would in all probability be extra enthusiastic about this. However the extent of my climbing expertise is strolling trails in Gatlinburg, Tennessee each few years, and my neighborhood is flat. Yeah, climbing is enjoyable from time to time, however I like my dwelling. It is the place my issues are.
Faucet to Money
Screenshot by CNET
This makes me nervous as a result of what occurs if somebody takes my iPhone and shortly sends themselves cash from my Apple Money? It is unclear what sort of safeguards shall be in place to forestall somebody from doing this, however hopefully Apple’s considered this and is forward of me.
Revamped Images app
Apple Intelligence
I’ve no need to make use of any of those options exterior of attempting them as soon as to see what they do. Creating Genmojis appears like a novelty. I do not use Siri commonly nor do I anticipate utilizing it extra sooner or later, and why would I need my iPhone to summarize messages or generate a message to ship? If my line of labor did not give it away, I like studying and writing.
iOS 18 cannot get right here quickly sufficient
Regardless of not being thrilled by a few of iOS 18’s new options, I am nonetheless counting down the times till its launch within the fall. And I am so excited for it as a result of it upgrades the issues I take advantage of commonly, and I can see myself utilizing these new options for a very long time.
I am all the time my dwelling or lock display, so having the ability to customise it — whereas not novel — will give me extra of a way of possession over my iPhone. I take advantage of Messages virtually every single day, and it sounds just like the upgrades to the app will positively impression the way in which I talk with others. Even Recreation Mode is a welcome addition for my iPhone as I depend on it extra for gaming.
And whereas I do not commonly use a number of the options being upgraded in iOS 18, others will possible get pleasure from these options and upgrades and get loads of use out of them.
Here is hoping iOS 18 lives as much as the hype.
For extra on Apple, you may take a look at all the things the corporate introduced at WWDC 2024, all of the options in iOS 18 and how you can obtain the iOS 18 developer beta now.