Apple’s new iOS update is just weeks away — 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 hit devices in mid-September.
Apple is touting its AI integration with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia — called “Apple Intelligence” — as a flagship feature of the update.
The feature will bring many changes to the operating system, including new and improved Siri capabilities, the ability to create custom emoticons, and more.
But the change that made the most noise was a new app-hiding feature dubbed “cheater’s paradise” because it allows people to hide certain apps (like dating apps, for example) in locked folders.
iOS 18 will also power a bunch of new features, such as smart typing tools, custom image generation, and improved privacy protections.
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If you’re overwhelmed by the flurry of changes coming to your device this fall, here’s DailyMail.com’s list of the five most exciting features to look out for.
1. AI-enhanced Siri
Apple’s new AI system will affect almost every aspect of the operating system, including Siri, Apple’s admittedly weak digital assistant.
Critics of Siri complain about its limited capabilities and frequent errors in understanding voice commands. But that’s about to change with Apple Intelligence.
“With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri takes a big step forward, becoming even more natural, contextually appropriate and personal,” explained Apple.
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 type to Siri instead of relying on voice commands.
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 her to access information on your phone and perform tasks within and between apps.
Plus, Siri will have deeper product knowledge about your phone’s features and settings, meaning it’ll be able to explain different features by checking what’s on your screen for context.
2. “Genmojis”
Have you ever wished you could create your own emoticons? With Apple’s new ‘Genmoji’ feature, you can now!
“Taking emoji to a whole new level, users can create original Genmoji to express themselves,” Apple said.
Genmoji allows users to make custom emojis using AI. All you have to do is enter a description of the emoji you want to create, and Genmoji will quickly generate it for you.
Users will even be able to create Genmoji of friends and family using their photo, Apple said.
Just like regular emoticons, Genmoji can be added in text or shared as a sticker or reaction in Tapback.
WWDC Apple revealed a sneak peak at some of the Genmoji users will be able to create.
Some of the wildest included a surfing T-Rex wearing a tutu and an angry piece of cake. What crazy Genmojis will you create?
3. “Touch Money”
The update will also include a convenient new way to send money to other iPhone users.
The new feature, called “Tap to Cash,” allows users to send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhones close together.
This would streamline digital payments by eliminating the need to share phone numbers or email addresses to complete a transaction.
It can be especially useful for giving someone a refund at dinner or buying something at a garage sale, Apple said.
In theory, Tap to Cash will provide a simpler peer-to-peer payment system than leading P2P apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
Also, Apple doesn’t keep a percentage of your Tap Cash or Tap Pay transactions, unlike some other services that change fees.
But whether Apple’s new feature will affect these payment services remains to be seen.
Speaking at WWDC, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said Apple is “continuing our journey to replace your physical wallet.”
The feature will be available for iPhone users on iOS 18 and Apple Watch users with WatchOS 11.
4. Hidden applications
Got 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 can only be opened using Face ID. If someone gets into your phone, they won’t have access to all of your personal information.
And if you’re looking for even more security, you can “hide” an app by moving it to a locked folder. Anyone who has access to your phone won’t even be able to see the apps in the folder.
The contents of a locked app, such as messages, emails, or notifications, won’t even show up using the search feature. You can only access it through Face ID.
Apple says the feature is meant to “offer users peace of mind” that the information “won’t be inadvertently seen by others,” but not everyone sees it that way.
On social media, some users expressed concern about the feature’s potential to encourage infidelity in relationships, even going so far as to call it a “cheater’s paradise.”
5. Chat GPT integration
If Apple Intelligence integration has you wanting even more generative AI features, iOS 18 has you covered.
This update will also include integration with Chat GPT, an OpenAI chatbot and virtual assistant.
Siri will be able to use Chat GPT to answer questions. But users will be asked for permission before sending questions, documents or photos to the chatbot.
Chat GPT will also be available in Apple’s system-wide writing tools to help users generate written content on any topic. Apple will also release Compose, its Chat GPT-powered image generator.
Users who may be concerned about privacy using Chat GPT’s integrated features can rest assured that their IP addresses will be hidden and OpenAI will not store requests, Apple said.
