5 of the best features tipped for iOS 18

 

Whether you’re using iOS or Android, you’re likely to get a big taste of AI this year. Specifically for iOS 18, there’s buzz that Apple might be planning a significant AI-powered overhaul for Siri. The upgrades to Siri might include more natural conversation abilities and increased user personalization, according to leaker yeux1122 (via MacRumors). So it could turn a currently rather lacking digital assistant into one of the best.

Many – or perhaps all – of iOS 18’s native AI features will be handled on device according to leaks, which could improve the speed and privacy of these features, but might also limit their capabilities, as they can’t tap into the cloud.

However, a wide selection of third-party AI tools might also be offered, and some of these probably will be cloud-powered. Intriguingly, Apple is reportedly planning to launch a whole new App Store for these AI apps, so you’ll easily be able to find AI tools. If this happens, then it’s likely we’ll see a large number of AI apps created for iOS 18 too, since they’ll be able to make use of this dedicated store.

Another exciting possibility for iOS 18 is the introduction of an AI App Store. Anticipation is building for iOS 18, expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2024 on June 10. While details are scarce until the official announcement, leaks and rumors provide insight into potential features. Here are the top five rumored features speculated to enhance iOS 18. Keep in mind that while some of these features are highly anticipated, others may not materialize. Let’s dive in and explore what iOS 18 could have in store.

3. BETTER HOME SCREEN CUSTOMIZATION

With iOS 18, we might finally get more freedom in customizing our home screens, as reputable leaker Mark Gurman claims that exactly this is coming. More specifically, users will apparently be able to “arrange icons more freely on iOS 18” according to MacRumors, and will have “the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.” This should allow for far more interesting and personalized home screen layouts, and we hope it will also come with some tweaks to the way apps are added to folders, so that you won’t accidentally move the folder half the time instead. Either way, this should be the biggest change we’ve seen to the iPhone’s home screen in years.

4. A VISUAL UPGRADE

As well as a home screen overhaul, iOS 18 will reportedly also get a big visual upgrade – though not one that brings it in line with visionOS (used by the Apple Vision Pro) as had been previously rumored. Still, some aspects of the visionOS design may be incorporated, and while we’re not clear on exactly how iOS 18 will look, it’s sounding like it could really freshen up the interface, making it feel new in a way that other recent iOS releases haven’t.

5. IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY

Making tech accessible to as many people as possible is essential, and iOS 18 could be making big strides in that area, thanks to some new and improved accessibility features. According to a leak, iOS 18 will introduce an Adaptive Voice Shortcuts feature, allowing users to toggle existing accessibility features (such as Zoom or Voice Control) with a custom spoken phrase. Moreover, Live Speech, which lets you type a phrase and have your phone read it aloud, is getting an upgrade. A new ‘categories’ section will enable users to organize saved phrases into categories, making it easier to find them quickly. You can already save commonly used phrases, but with the categories system, the process should be even more efficient.