Apple recently unveiled new features coming to the iPhone with the iOS 18 update at its Worldwide Developers Conference. These features are aimed at enhancing communication, organization, and connection with loved ones. Some of the highlights include the ability to schedule messages ahead of time, transcribe phone calls, express emotions with emoji reactions and formatted text, and ask Siri for assistance in remembering photos or texts.
One of the new features allows users to schedule texts for a later date, similar to scheduling emails in Gmail. This feature ensures that important messages are sent on time, without the need for manual intervention. Additionally, iPhone users will have the ability to record calls and access transcriptions and AI-powered summaries of conversations after the fact, making it easier to review important information discussed during phone calls.
Another exciting update is the introduction of new ways to express emotions in texts, including emoji reactions and formatted text. The new iMessages app will allow users to underline, bold, strikethrough, and italicize texts, as well as react to messages with any emoji. Users can even create their own emoji using an AI-powered feature called “Genmoji,” which generates unique emoji based on text descriptions.
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, will also receive enhancements in the iOS 18 update, allowing users to ask text-based questions and access a wider range of information. Siri will be able to assist with tasks such as pulling up photos, links, and PDFs, as well as editing images or moving items across different apps. Additionally, users can ask Siri to perform specific actions like copying and pasting information from photos or links.
Users will also have the ability to send text messages over satellite using Apple’s Emergency SOS feature, ensuring that they can stay in touch with loved ones even when they don’t have cell service or Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, a new feature called Rewrite will be available in Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps, allowing users to toggle between different versions of emails and receive grammar and sentence structure suggestions.
In terms of security and privacy, Apple is introducing the ability to lock specific apps on the iPhone using authentication features like Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. This feature prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in specific apps. The macOS Sequoia update will also allow users to mirror and control their iPhone screen directly on their Mac, providing a seamless experience for navigating and interacting with the iPhone on a larger screen. Additionally, Apple is introducing a new Passwords app that will securely store credentials, generate complex passwords, and be available on multiple devices including Mac, iPad, iPhone, Vision Pro, and Windows through iCloud.
