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Apple’s new iOS update is just weeks away from arriving, and more details are starting to emerge about what’s 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 arrive on devices in mid-September.
Apple is touting its AI integration with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, called “Apple Intelligence,” as the headline feature of the update.
This feature will bring many changes to the operating system, including new and improved Siri capabilities, the ability to create custom emojis, and more.
But the change that generated the most headlines was a new app hiding feature, dubbed “a cheater’s paradise” because it allows people to hide certain apps (like dating apps, for example) in locked folders.
Apple’s new iOS update is just weeks away from arriving, and more details are starting to emerge about what’s shaping up to be the biggest update yet.
iOS 18 will also introduce a number of new features, such as smart writing tools, custom image generation, and improved privacy protection.
If you’re overwhelmed by the wave of changes coming to your device this fall, here’s DailyMail.com’s list of the five most interesting features to look out for.
1. AI-powered Siri
Apple’s new artificial intelligence system will affect virtually every aspect of the operating system, including Siri, Apple’s arguably lackluster digital assistant.
Siri’s critics have lamented its limited capabilities and frequent failure to understand voice commands, but that should change with Apple Intelligence.
“With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri takes a giant leap forward and becomes even more natural, contextually relevant and personal,” Apple said.
Users will be able to speak to Siri more naturally thanks to its new AI-enhanced language understanding capabilities.
They will also have the option to text 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 “screen awareness,” allowing it to access information on your phone and complete tasks within and across apps.
Additionally, Siri will have a deeper understanding of your phone’s features and settings, meaning it can explain different functions by checking what’s on your screen for context.
2. ‘Genmojis’
Have you ever wished you could create your own emojis? With Apple’s new “Genmoji” feature, now you can!
‘Taking emoji to a whole new level, users can create an original Genmoji to express themselves,’ Apple said.
Genmoji allows users to create custom emojis using AI. All you have to do is type in a description of the emoji you want to create and Genmoji will quickly generate it for you.
Genmoji allows users to create personalized emojis using AI
Users will even be able to create Genmoji of friends and family using a photo of them, Apple said.
Like regular emojis, Genmoji can be added inline to text or shared as a sticker or reaction in a Tapback.
At WWDC, Apple revealed a sneak peek of some of the Genmoji that users will be able to create.
Some of the craziest ones include a surfing T-Rex in a tutu and an angry slice of cake. What crazy Genmojis will you create?
3. ‘Tap to collect’
The update will also include a convenient new way to send cash to other iPhone users.
The new feature, called ‘Tap to Cash’, allows users to send and receive Apple Cash by simply bringing two iPhones close together.
The feature, called ‘Tap to Cash’, allows users to send money quickly using Apple Wallet by simply bringing two phones close together.
This would streamline digital payments by eliminating the need to share phone numbers or email addresses to complete a transaction.
It could be especially useful for paying someone for 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 major P2P apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
Additionally, Apple doesn’t take a percentage of your Tap to Cash or Tap to Pay transactions, unlike other services that charge fees.
But it remains to be seen whether Apple’s new feature will permeate these paid services.
Speaking at WWDC, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said that Apple is “continuing its journey to replace your physical wallet.”
The feature will be available to iPhone users running iOS 18 and Apple Watch users running WatchOS 11.
4. Hidden applications
Do you have 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 they can only be opened with Face ID. If someone gains access to your phone, they won’t be able to access all of your private information.
Apple’s iOS 18 operating system will allow users to hide apps from their home screen. The upcoming operating system will also allow users to add protection to apps by allowing access only with Face ID.
On social media, some users have expressed concern about the feature’s potential to encourage infidelity in relationships, going so far as to call it a “cheat’s paradise.”
And if you’re looking for even more security, you can “hide” an app by moving it to a locked folder. Anyone who gains access to your phone won’t even be able to see the apps inside the folder.
Content from locked apps, such as messages, emails, or notifications, won’t even be displayed using the search function. You’ll only be able to access it using Face ID.
Apple says the purpose of this feature is to “give users peace of mind” that information “won’t be inadvertently viewed by others,” but not everyone sees it that way.
On social media, some users have expressed concern about the feature’s potential to encourage infidelity in relationships, going so far as to call it a “cheat’s paradise.”
5. GPT Chat Integration
If Apple Intelligence integration leaves you wanting more generative AI features, iOS 18 is for you. This update will also include integration with Chat GPT, OpenAI’s chatbot and virtual assistant.
If Apple Intelligence integration leaves you wanting more generative AI features, iOS 18 has you covered.
This update will also include integration with GPT Chat, OpenAI’s chatbot and virtual assistant.
Siri will be able to access GPT Chat to help answer questions, but users will be asked for permission before sending any questions, documents, or photos to the chatbot.
GPT Chat will also be available within Apple’s system-wide writing tools to help users generate written content on any topic. Apple will also launch Compose, its image generator based on GPT Chat.
Users who may be concerned about privacy when using GPT Chat’s built-in features can rest assured that their IP addresses will be masked and OpenAI will not store requests, Apple said.
