With the Apple 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference just weeks away, the tech giant appears to be gearing up to introduce one of the biggest iOS overhauls ever. Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system, iOS 18, is said to bring many new AI-based features, some of which could even work on the device itself. From upcoming AI features to RCS support, here’s what we know so far about iOS 18.
AI-powered Siri and Safari
Apple CEO Tim Cook has already clarified that iOS 18 will integrate several new AI-based features. Although it has not shared any information on what they might be, a new report from AppleInsider suggests the focus will be on improving Siri, the default voice assistant on iPhones.
It looks like Siri will soon be able to analyze and summarize texts with the Messages app. According to BloombergThe voice assistant may also have the ability to auto-complete text in messages, respond to complex queries, and improved Shortcuts app integration to automate complex tasks.
The post had also hinted that Apple was working on a “smart search” feature for Safari that could allow iPhone users to quickly summarize web pages using the large AI language model developed in-house by Apple: Ajax. Additionally, it appears that Ajax will alert users before accessing your data from Safari and Messages.
Over the past few weeks, several research papers published by Apple suggest that these AI features will run locally on the device itself. The report corroborates the same and states that Ajax will use on-device processing to generate simple responses, but sometimes it may use cloud servers to fulfill more complex requests such as generating images. The tech giant reportedly spoke to both Google and OpenAI, it remains to be seen which company Apple will partner with to bring these AI capabilities.
RCS support
For years, Apple has stuck with its proprietary iMessage, but earlier this year the tech giant announced that it would support the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol with iOS 18. That means users of ‘iPhone will soon be able to talk to their friends with Android devices and share videos in high quality.
Visual overhaul
Rumor also has it that iOS 18 could take some sort of inspiration from visionOS, the software that powers the Apple Vision Pro. If true, we could see some changes to things like circular icons, translucent user interfaces that blend into the operating system, and a revamped Control Center, to name a few.
The update would also bring new customization features, such as greater control over the layout of app icons and the ability to create empty spaces, rows and columns on the home screen.
Which iPhones will benefit from the iOS 18 update?
Although Apple is yet to share the list of supported devices, any phone launched after the iPhone 11 would be eligible for iOS 18. This means we could see iOS land on the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 , iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15. series, and iPhone SE (3rd generation).
Apple will unveil the iOS 18 update at WWDC 2024, which is scheduled to take place on June 10, so we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to see what the tech giant has in store for iPhone users.
