Apple has announced the official date for the release of iOS 18 in 2024, the next major update for the iPhone. With this news, users are speculating about what new features and fixes Apple will include in the update. Some expectations include improvements to multitasking for the iPhone Pro Max, additional capabilities for the Action button, and enhancements to StandBy Mode. Users are also hoping for a more capable Siri, language detection and translation in Messages, and the ability to schedule texts.
One feature users are eager to see in iOS 18 is improved multitasking for the iPhone Pro Max. The larger screen size of the Pro Max offers a lot of potential for features like a Slide Over panel, which allows users to view a second app in a floating panel alongside the main app. This feature could be beneficial for tasks like browsing email while keeping an eye on Slack messages, maximizing productivity on the device.
Another request from users is for the Action button, introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, to support multiple shortcuts. Currently, the Action button can only trigger one shortcut at a time with a long press. Users are suggesting that being able to assign different actions to single and double long presses would increase the functionality of the button and provide users with more options for customization.
StandBy Mode, a feature introduced in iOS 17, has been well-received by users, but there are hopes for further development in iOS 18. Users would like to see StandBy Mode widgets for Messages and Mail, allowing them to read and respond to messages without exiting StandBy Mode. This enhancement would improve the user experience and make it more convenient to manage messages while the device is in StandBy Mode.
Improvements to Siri are also a priority for users, with many hoping for a more capable voice assistant that can handle complex tasks and provide accurate responses to nuanced questions. Integration of large language models could help Siri understand and answer a wider range of queries, making it a more valuable tool for users in various situations.
Language detection and translation in Messages is another feature that users are eager to see in iOS 18. Bilingual users have experienced issues with the current system incorrectly translating messages, and they are hoping that AI advancements will help Siri accurately detect and translate different languages in real time. This feature would be especially useful for users communicating with friends or family members in different languages.
Lastly, users are requesting the ability to schedule texts in Messages, a feature that is already available on other messaging platforms. Being able to schedule messages to send at a later time would be beneficial for users in different time zones or those who work odd hours. This feature would improve communication and prevent users from accidentally waking up recipients with early morning messages. Overall, users have high hopes for iOS 18 and are looking forward to seeing what new features and improvements Apple will introduce with the update.