Apple has kickstarted its annual WWDC keynote, and the biggest news thus far has been iOS 18. The software update will feature significant new customization options for both the Home Screen and Control Center, as well as the ability to lock individual apps, and the biggest refresh for the stock Photos app, ever.
New Levels of Customization
Users can now customize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center with new arrangements and button options. Safari also offers Highlights and a redesigned Reader experience, making web browsing easier and more informative.
- Customizable Home Screen: Arrange apps and widgets in any open space, customize app icons and widgets, and resize them for a personalized experience.
- Redesigned Control Center: Quick access to essential controls, ability to add controls from third-party apps, and customize control layout and size.
- Switchable Lock Screen Controls: Choose and organize controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, including options from the controls gallery.
Photos
Photos receives a significant redesign, simplifying the interface and introducing new ways to organize and relive special moments.
- Unified Photo View: A simplified grid view with new collections for easier browsing.
- Daily Highlights: A carousel view of favorite moments that updates daily.
- Customizable Organization: Pin collections, organize content, and customize the app for individual preferences.
Messages
iMessage gets new text effects, scheduling options, and support for messaging over satellite.
- Enhanced Text Effects: Add dynamic, animated effects to text and emojis for lively conversations.
- Message Scheduling: Compose and schedule messages to be sent at a later time.
- Satellite Messaging: Send and receive messages over satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi connections are unavailable.
Mail introduces new inbox management features and a digest view for easier email organization.
- Categorized Inbox: On-device sorting into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions categories.
- Digest View: Grouping relevant emails from businesses for quick scanning.
Safari
Safari offers Highlights for key webpage information and a redesigned Reader experience for distraction-free reading.
- Webpage Highlights: Surface key information from visited webpages for quicker access.
- Redesigned Reader: Enjoy articles with summaries, tables of contents, and less distraction.
Passwords App
The new Passwords app makes it easier to manage passwords, passkeys, and verification codes, and it obviously directly challenges LastPass, 1Password and others in the space.
- Centralized Password Management: Access all passwords and passkeys in one place for convenience and security.
Privacy
iOS 18 includes tools for managing app visibility, contact sharing, and accessory connections to enhance privacy.
- Locked and Hidden Apps: Keep private information secure with locked and hidden apps.
- Selective Contact Sharing: Choose specific contacts to share with apps for added privacy.
- Secure Accessory Connections: Pair third-party accessories without revealing other devices on the network.
Additional features
- iOS 18 Preview: More customization options, redesigned Photos app, Messages over satellite, and more.
- Apple Intelligence: Deeply integrated systemwide intelligence with on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute.
- Enhanced Siri: Natural language interaction, ChatGPT integration, and personalized responses.
- Private Cloud Compute: Flexibility and scalability for complex requests with privacy and security.
- Writing Tools: Rewrite, proofread, and summarize text with Apple Intelligence.
- Image Playground: Create fun images with animation, illustration, or sketch styles.
- Memories in Photos: Automatically create curated photo and video collections based on descriptions.
- Improved Accessibility: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts for enhanced usability.
Availability
The iOS 18 developer beta is available today, and the public beta will be available in July. The public release is expected to launch sometime in September.