iOS 18: New features, release date, artificial intelligence and other rumors

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iOS 18, Apple’s next big annual update, is expected to roll out with some major AI-powered updates.

Yes, there are already rumors circulating about iOS 18, a theoretical sequel to last year’s iOS 17 update. I say “theoretically” because Apple hasn’t spoken publicly about it yet, but you can rest easy knowing that it will almost certainly arrive this year. And when that happens, it could be a complete iOS overhaul (more on that later).

Here’s everything we know about iOS 18 so far.

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Latest iOS 18 news:

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iOS 18 release date

Even without confirmation from Apple, we can safely assume that iOS 18 will be released in September, around the same time as the also unconfirmed iPhone 16.

This is because everyone the new version of iOS will be released in September, around the same time as the new iPhone. Unlike MacBooks and iPads, iOS release dates are easy to determine.

iOS 18: Everything we know so far, including AI features

Bloomberg Mark Gurman, a renowned Apple prognosticator, reported in January that iOS 18 would be “one of the biggest” updates in iOS history. As already mentioned, AI will be at the forefront of these updates. While some AI features will run on-device, others will rely on cloud servers.

According to MacRumors, Apple will not be creating its own chatbot. Instead, it will reportedly be based on a popular existing chatbot – and will likely be OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Speaking of assistants, let’s start by summarizing the iOS 18 rumors using Siri.

Siri

Siri is expected to have some AI integration, which Gurman says will allow it to “take control of all app features for the first time.”

In other words, Siri, thanks to the new Large Language Model (LLM) that powers it, will reportedly allow the assistant to do the following:

This would be a big deal, as Siri is known for its functionality being limited to broader macro-level commands (e.g. playing music playlists, controlling smart home devices, and more). However, with this new AI-powered update, Siri can respond to user requests in greater detail.

However, according to Gurman, the new and improved Siri is expected to arrive on iPhones and, by extension, iPads next year.

RCS messaging standard

Other than that, the best prediction we can make for iOS 18 is that texting with Android users will likely be a better experience.

This is because Apple has already confirmed that it will adopt the Rich Communication Services (or RCS) messaging standard starting this year.

As MacRumors noted, this means the following improvements should be coming between iOS and Android devices:

We also expect improvements to group chats between iPhone and Android phones.

The news

According to Gurman, the Messages app is designed to automatically suggest replies to text messages. (Supposedly, the Mail app will get the same functionality.)

The tweet may have been deleted

Additionally, users can also receive AI-generated emojis.

In other words, instead of being limited to your current portfolio of emojis, you can generate your own based on your conversations. It’s also worth noting that in iOS 18 we can see a new collection of emojis, including a character with baggy eyes.

Variable speed of light

Safari

According to Forbes, Safari will have two standout features: Smart Search and Web Eraser.

• Smart Search – According to Forbes, based on LLM, Safari will reportedly be able to identify key phrases and topics on a website, allowing Safari to summarize them.

• Internet eraser – Ad blocking feature built into Safari browser

Forbes noted that publishers may be concerned about Web Eraser because it could reduce their advertising revenue.

Accessibility: eye tracking, music touch and more

When it comes to accessibility features, which include settings to better support vision, mobility, hearing, and cognitive needs, iOS 18 is reportedly getting some improvements.

First there is live speech. According to MacRumors, this feature, which lets you type what you want to say before it is read aloud, will be getting a new “Categories” feature.

Thanks to this new functionality, you will now be able to organize frequently used or favorite phrases into categories of your choice.

Secondly, there’s a rumor that Apple is rolling out “Adaptive Voice Shortcuts,” which lets you assign custom phrases to a specific accessibility feature. Therefore, if you say a specific custom phrase, you should be able to trigger the accessibility feature you associated it with.

As it turns out, this rumor is true. On May 15, Apple published a new post on Newsroom mentioning the new “Vocal Shortcuts” bonus, which is the official name of the above-mentioned feature.

However, one of the most amazing features is eye tracking.

The tweet may have been deleted

Yes, you read that right: eye tracking. In other words, users will now be able to control their iPhone with their eyes. This feature is powered by artificial intelligence and is intended for users with disabilities. “The eye-tracking system uses the front camera to set up and calibrate in seconds,” Apple said.

It’s worth noting that this feature uses on-device machine learning to keep your data safe and secure and not shared with Apple.

Apple is also introducing something called “Music Haptics” to iOS 18.

For hearing-impaired users, Music Haptics adds taps, textures, and vibrations that coincide with the sound, allowing users to experience music in a better, new way.

Settings and Control Center

In a tweet in late May, Gurman said Settings would be redesigned, making the app better organized and easier to navigate.

The tweet may have been deleted

Additionally, the Control Center is also receiving an update, but Gurman did not specify the changes.

Apple Maps

According to MacRumors, iOS 18 will introduce two new features to Apple Maps:

• Custom routes

• Topographic maps

Custom routes allow users to select specific routes before traveling from point A to point B, which is already supported in Google Maps.

Topographic Maps, which debuted on Apple Watch in watchOS 10, allows users to view maps in greater detail, including contour lines, trails, elevations, and more.

Photos app

To compete with the likes of Samsung and Google with their flashy photo editing features, Apple will release certain AI-powered editing features.

But Gurman warns that Apple fans should temper their expectations: “None of these features will impress people who have been using artificial intelligence in Adobe Inc. apps for the past few months.” – he said.

Notes app

According to an AppleInsider exclusive, the Notes app will have two new features in iOS 18:

• Built-in audio recording support

• “Math Notes” – a feature that uses the Apple Calculator

Digging a little deeper into these new features, the Notes app in iOS 18 will reportedly get an in-app audio recording feature. Users will likely be able to add images and text to these voice notes. For example, a student can record a lecture and add screenshots of the lecture to the audio capture.

There’s also a supposedly new “Math Notes” feature. “The update will likely introduce support for displaying mathematical notation, an essential shortcut for academic, scientific and engineering applications,” AppleInsider said.

More customizable home screens

Historically, Apple hasn’t really allowed you to freely customize your iPhone’s home screen, beyond allowing users to move icons around. However, according to MacRumors, Apple could introduce a home screen refresh in iOS 18, with reports that users will have more freedom in arranging icons – and according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, greater customization could also come to lock screens.

AirPods “Hearing Aid Mode”.

With the release of iOS 18, Gurman says AirPods Pro will get a new “hearing aid mode.”

Please note that AirPods Pro already have Conversation Boost, which increases the clarity of speakers directly in front of the user. However, what Apple has planned for its in-ear headphones is reportedly a minor improvement.

iOS 18 is expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2024 in June. Stay tuned for Mashable’s coverage of the highly anticipated Apple event.