iOS 18 Could Include A Long-Existing Android Feature
iOS 18 is heavily rumored to bring major changes to iPhones, particularly in terms of customizations and generative AI. Now, a new report is detailing the new features that are included in this major update.
An old Android feature is coming to iOS?
In the latest Power On newsletter of Mark Gurman, the Apple leaker and journalist speculated iOS 18 will allow users some freedom in customizing the home screen. As described, users would be able to change the color of each app according to their liking as well as reposition them anywhere in the home screen, which is a similar feature that has long existed in Android (HyperOS and Galaxy One UI).
Conversely, iOS 17 today only allows you to 'modify' the home screen by adding widgets and repositioning the apps. However, you won't be able to utilize the empty spaces or grids in the home screen or change the looks of the apps' icons. While the shortcuts app offers a certain degree of extended customizations to apps and shortcuts, the process requires extra work and is not natively available.
Other iOS 18 features
Apart from these customizations, iOS 18 is shaping up to place heavy emphasis on generative AI. It is tipped Apple could infuse some AI improvements in the voice assistant by making conversations more natural and smoother alongside letting it perform more complex tasks like summarizing.
Furthermore, Gurman highlighted other new features set to debut with iOS 18, which are said to include photo retouching, smart replies in emails and messaging, emojis and wallpapers generation, and AI-powered searches, among others. The Cupertino tech giant itself also recently previewed new accessibility features that are in line to debut alongside the software.
Gurman also mentioned in the past that Apple will enable these advanced AI features via its new cloud servers that are powered by M2 Ultra chipsets. Meanwhile, there's a chance that Apple could make some of these capabilities exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro that will run on the A18 SoC.
Apple is scheduled to announce iOS 18 (iPadOS 18) along with other updates in its platforms like watchOS, macOS, and tvOS at WWDC 2024 that kicks off on June 10.
Beyond AI and customizations, what are your expectations or developments you wish to see in iOS 18? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Source: Bloomberg
