Apple’s new iOS update is just weeks away – and more details are starting to emerge about what is shaping up to be the biggest update yet.
Originally announced at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the software is expected to hit devices in mid-September.
Apple is touting its AI integration with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia – called ‘Apple Intelligence’ – as the update’s flagship feature.
The feature will bring a lot of change to the operating system, including new-and-improved Siri capabilities, the ability to create custom emojis, and more.
But the change that made headlines most was a new app-hiding feature dubbed ‘cheater’s paradise’ because it allows people to conceal certain apps (like dating apps, for instance) in locked folders.
Apple’s new iOS update is just weeks away – and more details are starting to emerge about what is shaping up to be the biggest update yet
iOS 18 will also power a bunch of new features, like intelligent writing tools, custom image generation, and enhanced privacy protection.
If you’re overwhelmed by the wave of changes coming to your device this autumn, here’s DailyMail.com’s list of the top five most exciting features to look out for.
1. AI-boosted Siri
Apple’s new AI system will affect pretty much every aspect of the operating system, including Siri, Apple’s arguably lackluster digital assistant.
Critics of Siri have bemoaned its limited capabilities and frequent errors in understanding voice commands. But that should change with Apple Intelligence.
‘With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri takes a major step forward, becoming even more natural, contextually relevant, and personal,’ Apple explained.
Users will be able to speak to Siri more naturally thanks to its new AI-enhanced language understanding capabilities.
They’ll also have the option of typing to Siri instead of relying on voice commands.
Users will be able to speak to Siri more naturally thanks to its new AI-enhanced language understanding capabilities
Siri will also be equipped with a new understanding of the unique way you use your phone. Additionally, Siri will now have ‘onscreen awareness,’ which lets it access information on your phone and complete tasks inside and across apps.
Plus, Siri will have deeper product knowledge about your phone’s features and settings, which means that it will be able to explain different functions by checking what’s on your screen for context.
2. ‘Genmojis’
Ever wish you could create your own emojis? With Apple’s new ‘Genmoji‘ feature, now you can!
‘Taking emoji to an entirely new level, users can create an original Genmoji to express themselves,’ Apple said.
Genmoji allows users to make custom emojis using AI. All you’ll have to do is type a description of the emoji you want to create, and Genmoji will quickly generate it for you.
Genmoji allows users to make custom emojis using AI
Users will even be able to create Genmoji of friends and family using a picture of them, Apple said.
Just like regular emojis, Genmoji can be added inline to text, or shared as a sticker or reaction in a Tapback.
WWDC Apple revealed a sneak-peak at some of the Genmoji users will be able to create.
Some of the wildest ones included a surfing T-Rex wearing a tutu and an angry slice of cake. What crazy Genmojis will you create?
3. ‘Tap to Cash’
The update will also include a convenient new way to send cash to other iPhone users.
The new feature, called ‘Tap to Cash,’ lets users send and receive Apple cash by simply holding two iPhones close together.
The feature, called ‘Tap to Cash’, lets users quickly send money using Apple Wallet just by bringing two phones close to each other
This would streamline digital payments by eliminating the need to share phone numbers or email addresses to perform a transaction.
It could be especially helpful for paying someone back at dinner or buying something at a garage sale, Apple said.
In theory, Tap to Cash will provide a simpler peer-to-peer payment system compared to leading P2P apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
Plus, Apple doesn’t keep a percent of your Tap to Cash or Tap to Pay transactions, unlike some other services that change fees.
But whether Apple’s new feature will encroach on these payment services remains to be seen.
Speaking at WWDC, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said that Apple was ‘continuing on our journey to replace your physical wallet’.
The feature will be available for iPhone users in iOS 18 and Apple Watch users with WatchOS 11.
4. Hidden apps
Got an app on your phone that you’d rather keep private? In iOS 18, users will be able to hide or lock certain apps on their phone.
Locked apps will still appear on your home screen, but can only be opened using Face ID. If someone gets into your phone, they won’t be able to access all your private information.
Apple’s iOS 18 will let users hide apps on their home screen. The upcoming operating system will also let users add protection to apps by only allowing access with Face ID
On social media, some users have aired concerns about the feature’s potential to encourage infidelity in relationships, even going so far as to call it a ‘ cheater’s paradise
And if you’re looking for even more security, you can ‘hide’ an app by moving it into a locked folder. Anyone accessing your phone won’t even be able to see the apps inside the folder.
Locked app content, like messages, emails or notifications won’t even show up using the search function. You can only access it using Face ID.
Apple says that the purpose of this feature is to ‘offer users peace of mind’ that information will ‘not inadvertently be seen by others,’ but not everyone sees it that way.
On social media, some users have aired concerns about the feature’s potential to encourage infidelity in relationships, even going so far as to call it a ‘cheater’s paradise.’
5. Chat GPT integration
If the Apple Intelligence integration leaves you wanting even more generative AI features, iOS 18 has you covered. This update will also include integration with Chat GPT, OpenAI’s chatbot and virtual assistant
If the Apple Intelligence integration leaves you wanting even more generative AI features, iOS 18 has you covered.
This update will also include integration with Chat GPT, OpenAI’s chatbot and virtual assistant.
Siri will be able to tap into Chat GPT to help answer questions. But users will be asked for permission before any questions, documents or photos are sent to the chatbot.
Chat GPT will also be available inside Apple’s system-wide Writing Tools to help users generate written content on any topic. Apple will also be rolling out Compose, its Chat GPT-powered image generator.
Users who may be concerned about privacy using Chat GPT integrated features can rest assured that their IP addresses will be obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests, Apple said.