My 10 favourite iOS 18 options

As somebody who loves Apple’s platforms, WWDC is an thrilling time of 12 months. In contrast to the corporate’s hardware-focused occasions that always depart my bank card depressed, WWDC is the one time of the 12 months once I really feel like Apple is giving me one thing without spending a dime by means of new options coming within the fall.

At this 12 months’s World Broad Builders Convention, Apple gave us a preview of iOS 18. Understandably, Apple Intelligence took the highlight from every little thing else introduced on stage. Whereas Apple Intelligence is ready to deliver a wave of extremely new performance to our iPhones, a number of incredible quality-of-life enhancements nonetheless excite me for the OS’s official launch this fall. Arguably, many of those features are extra probably for use than Apple Intelligence.

With that stated, listed below are ten of my favourite upcoming iOS 18 options.

1 Scheduled ship

I’ve needed this eternally

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Lastly! We must always all rejoice on the potential to schedule our iMessages beginning this fall. Severely, who hasn’t been able the place they did not need to overlook to ship a follow-up or comfortable birthday message? Simply me? As a large fan of scheduling emails and Slack messages, I welcome this addition. To schedule a message to ship: write your message > faucet the plus icon to the left > Ship Later > choose the date and time you’d just like the message to ship > Ship arrow.

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2 New message formatting

Daring, Italics, Strikethrough, Underline

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For those who’ve ever needed so as to add some formatting like daring, italics, strikethrough, underline, and even some particular textual content results to your iMessages, you are able to do that in iOS 18.

By deciding on textual content and tapping the brand new ‘A’ icon slightly below the textual content enter space, you may select from 8 new textual content results together with the usual formatting. This is a wonderful addition, making iMessages richer. Nevertheless, I am nonetheless ready for brand spanking new message results, significantly snowfall, so for those who’re studying this, Apple, please get on that. Thanks.

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3 Customized iMessage faucet backs

We want a thanks emoji now

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One other function for the want checklist is a thanks emoji. I exploit one on a regular basis in Slack, together with a you are welcome emoji. What we do get in iOS 18 is the power to pick any emoji for tab again.

Along with the unique six reactions, redesigned for the brand new working system, you too can choose any emoji by holding down on a message, swiping over to the gray smile, and selecting an emoji from the picker. So, whereas I could not have my thanks emoji, we nonetheless get entry to 1000’s of latest reactions.

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4 RCS

Inexperienced bubbles are much less horrible now

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Wealthy Communication Service, or RCS, has lengthy been pushed to be adopted into iOS to enhance the messaging expertise between iPhone and Android customers. Inexperienced bubbles have been the social outcasts of good friend teams by breaking iMessage group chats and receiving low-quality photographs. RCS is the evolution of SMS by bringing most of the core iMessage we take pleasure in to cross-platform messaging.

Admittedly, I almost completely message different iPhones. Nonetheless, it’s going to be good to have RCS’s enhancements when I’ve to message Android telephones. Plus, RCS is enabled by default upon updating to iOS 18, so common customers will not must do a factor.

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5 Messages through satellite tv for pc

Be linked from anyplace

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The introduction of emergency SOS via satellite was an enormous step for improved security and safety for iPhone customers. The enlargement of this function to roadside assistance and site sharing continued the performance of satellite tv for pc connectivity with the iPhone 14 and 15.

Messages through satellite tv for pc is a brand new iOS 18 function that makes use of a particular optimization algorithm to ship textual content and emojis through iMessage or SMS when not linked to WiFi or mobile service. Pictures and movies can’t be despatched through satellite tv for pc. Presumably, this will likely be a paid function sooner or later, however for now, it is free as the entire satellite tv for pc iPhone options.

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6 Document a name

Nice for record-keeping

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Name recording could sound like a distinct segment function restricted to enterprise makes use of. Nevertheless, I consider it’s going to be useful for recording customer support calls to create my very own file throughout disputes. Apple hasn’t included name recording within the iOS 18 beta but, so we do not know exactly the way to allow it. Nonetheless, you may be positive I am enthusiastic about this function.

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7 Lock Display buttons are customizable

Superior for third-party cameras

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I’ve all the time been taken with utilizing extra highly effective third-party digital camera apps. My problem has all the time been how I usually launch my digital camera from the Lock Display by swiping over or utilizing the button. This fast entry dramatically diminished the probability of me ever utilizing a third-party one.

Nevertheless, with iOS 18, Apple is introducing the power to customise the Lock Display buttons to launch varied actions, together with opening any app through Shortcuts. My considering when iOS 18 drops is to strive Halide and different related apps by changing the digital camera button with the launching of one in all them.

To alter the buttons in your Dwelling Display: Maintain down on the Dwelling Display > Faucet Customise > Customise Present Wallpaper > Faucet the minus image to the left of the button > Faucet the plus icon > choose what motion or app you’d wish to put within the buttons place > Add.

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8 Lock an App

Safe your essential apps

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Lock an app is one other function I’ve needed for some time so as to add an additional layer of privateness to my most private apps. Some apps, like WhatsApp, have non-obligatory settings for requiring a PIN or Face ID earlier than exhibiting its contents. iOS 18 brings this performance to any app if you would like.

Press down on an app and faucet Require Face ID. Doing so locks that app’s contents till authenticated along with your face. Personally, I fairly like this function for including an additional layer of privateness to Messages, Pictures, and my different immediate messaging apps.

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9 Hidden folder

Preserve apps out of speedy view

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When opting to lock an app behind Face ID, third-party apps have the added choice to be moved right into a Hidden folder that seems within the App Library upon updating to iOS 18. Apps positioned within the new Hidden folder will not present notifications and cannot be considered except authenticated by Face ID. I see this function as a win for privateness for individuals who need to maintain private or work apps out of speedy view.

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10 Siri understanding pure language

I want this was coming to the HomePod

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I needed this piece to give attention to the options outdoors of Apple Intelligence. Nonetheless, one enchancment with Siri deserves a name out because of Apple Intelligence — pure language understanding. Coming in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, Apple Intelligence will enable Siri to know us regardless of stutters or corrections.

I am thrilled that this may come to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac however upset that the units I exploit Siri probably the most, the HomePod and Apple Watch, will not acquire this potential for the foreseeable future.

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