Apple ( AAPL ) has unveiled multiple software updates for its most important software offerings, including iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and more. The updates bring various changes to Apple devices, ranging from an upgraded Photos app for iPhone to a new Vitals app for Apple Watch.
The features also come as the company rolls out its AI strategy across its various products and services. The company announced its new Apple Intelligence generative AI platform, complete with an improved version of Siri and access to OpenAI’s GPT-4o for its iPhone, iPad and Mac products. More on that here.
Here are the biggest upgrades coming to Apple devices later this year.
iOS 18
The latest version of iOS, called iOS 18, will include a new customizable iPhone home screen that lets you rearrange icons the way you want them to appear, so you no longer have to keep them in a rigid grid like you’ve had until the iPhone first debuted in 2007. You’ll also be able to change the color of your app icons to give them a custom look.
The Control Center also gets major improvements, allowing you to add and reconfigure shortcuts to third-party apps. On the privacy front, Apple announced a new feature called Lock An App, which requires users to use Face ID to unlock and access certain apps. A new hidden folder option will also let you hide specific apps on your iPhone.
Meanwhile, the Messages app will now include the ability to schedule text messages and text effects like animated words and emoticons that pop off the screen. The Mail app will have a new look with device categorizations that will put your messages into sections like basic emails, promotions, or updates from other notes.
Apple is finally bringing Rich Communication Services (RCS) to its Messages app. The feature means iPhone users will be able to send high-quality images, videos and encrypted text to Android users. You’ll still have to deal with those pesky green chat bubbles.
Apple’s Wallet app will now include a cash payment feature that lets you quickly pay a friend using Apple Cash by touching your phones together.
Game mode is also coming to iPhone. In this mode, your iPhone will automatically reduce background activities to ensure games run smoothly without lag.
The Photos app for iOS 18 is getting a big design update that puts a photo grid of your entire library at the top of the screen and a filter button that lets you organize images. You can also browse photos through the People & Pets section, which lets you browse groups of photos of specific people and, well, pets.
Apple’s iPadOS 18 comes with many of the same features as iOS 18, including the new Photos app and a personalized home screen. The software will also come with new updates for things like SharePlay, which lets you take control of another user’s iPad to help them navigate and adjust settings. The company also brings the Calculator app to the iPad, something that has been missing for quite some time. The app will include a Math Notes feature that will let you write math equations on your screen using the Apple Pencil and have the iPad instantly solve them for you.
VisionOS 2
Apple also announced its visionOS 2, the second iteration of the operating system that powers the Vision Pro headset. The company says the AR/VR device’s Photos app will now let you turn traditional 2D photos into 3D-style photos using machine learning, so you’ll be able to see your photos from different perspectives.
There are also new ways to navigate the operating system, such as raising an open hand to bring up the home screen. Mac Virtual Display, which lets you mirror your Mac’s display on Vision Pro, is also getting an update to create larger virtual screens, and Apple says it’s adding train support for using Vision Pro on the go when riding rails. The feature is meant to keep the display from moving in strange ways while you’re on the road. There is a similar option for flights.
Apple says the Vision Pro is also coming to more countries, including China, Japan and Singapore in June and European countries in July.
WatchOS 11
Apple’s WatchOS 11, meanwhile, features a new workout mode that can understand how your workouts affect your body over time. The watch will use an algorithm to estimate how much you exert yourself during exercise. You’ll then be able to rate your level of effort from 1 to 10. Apple Watch will then use this data to help you understand how much your training is helping you improve over time.
Plus, thankfully, you’ll be able to pause your workout rings, which lets you tell your Apple Watch if you’re taking a day off from exercise or if you have an injury that prevents you from being able to exercise.
The new Vitals app for the watch will be able to give you a deeper look at your overall health and tell you when your heart rate, temperature and sleep are out of sync with your normal limits.
Sequoia
MacOS Sequoia, which powers Macs and MacBooks, brings many of the features found in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, including math notes for the Calculator app and more expressive text in Messages, as well as a new iPhone Mirroring feature that lets you wirelessly access and manage your iPhone from your Mac.
You’ll also be able to move your apps around the screen, positioning them in different quadrants so you can get the most out of your display real estate. Meanwhile, the Safari browser comes with the ability to summarize articles while removing distractions from web pages, which is sure to affect online advertisers.
Apple is also releasing a new version of its gaming toolset to bring more Windows-based games to Macs and MacBooks. The company has been working to get deeper into gaming for years, and it looks like it’s paying off as more developers are starting to release titles for the company’s systems. Case in point: Ubisoft has announced that their latest title, Assassin’s Creed, will be available for Mac as well as iPhone later this year.
Apple traditionally releases its latest software updates in the fall, with iOS launching alongside the iPhone. You can expect iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS and macOS to land around the same time.
Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
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