At WWDC, Apple showed off iOS 18 with updated personalization features and improvements for various apps, as well as support for RCS and Game Mode.
iOS 18 innovations
Advanced home screen customization
The new version of iOS introduces greater freedom in the arrangement of application icons on the home screen , allowing you to place them anywhere. Users can also customize the appearance of icons by applying dark mode and color tints to create a unique look.
Changes to the Control Center
The Control Center has undergone major changes, gaining additional customization options thanks to new gallery. Developers can now embed controls from their apps into Control Center. Users will be able to access multiple Center screens by swiping across the screen. You can also customize the lock screen controls.
App updates
The Messages app will support RCS, a new messaging standard for Android and iOS devices, replacing legacy SMS. Messages will also gain the ability to respond to messages with emoji, schedule messages, apply text formatting and special effects, and send and receive messages over a satellite connection.
Mail will automatically sort emails into categories to help you prioritize messages. The Maps app will offer new topographic maps with a network of walking routes. Wallet will have a Tap to Cash feature for transferring money by holding phones close to each other.
Photos Update
The Photos app is completely redesigned with a single view of a grid of photos at the top and a library organized by topic at the bottom. Various filters and viewing modes have been implemented, as well as automatic selection of selected photos in a separate carousel.
Game Mode for Gamers
Coming to iPhone for the first time is Game Mode, which minimizes background activity to maintain high frame rates. Improved support for wireless game controllers and AirPods is also expected.
Glossary
- Apple is an American corporation, manufacturer of personal and tablet computers, audio players, smartphones, and software.
- iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple for iPhone smartphones, iPad tablet computers and iPod touch players.
- RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a new standard for multimedia messaging, designed to replace the outdated SMS.
- AirPods are a line of wireless headphones from Apple that support proprietary data transfer technology.
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Questions answered
What new options for customizing the Home screen are included in iOS 18?
What's new in iOS 18 Control Center?
What's new in the Messages app?
What updates did the Photos app receive in iOS 18?
What's the new gaming feature in iOS 18?
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Discussion of the topic – Key New Features in iOS 18: Game Mode, Improved Photos and Customization
At WWDC 2023, Apple introduced iOS 18 with new features: home screen customization, an updated Photos app, and a game mode.
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Nikolaus
Wow, the new iOS 18 looks amazing! 😎 So many new features and functionality, I'm especially looking forward to the updated Control Center and the ability to customize the home screen. Finally, you can arrange application icons the way you want!
Aurelia
Yes, the updates look promising. 👍 I was especially impressed by the new Tap to Cash feature in Wallet. How convenient it is to send money by simply holding your phones up! And, of course, RCS support in Messages - finally goodbye to outdated SMS.
Günther
And I love the new features in the Photos app. 📸 A unified view of the library, the ability to filter and sort according to different criteria - this is exactly what was missing before. Finally, you can easily find the pictures you need!
Suzanne
Can't wait for the Mail update! 💌 Automatic sorting of emails by importance is what we need these days when we receive so many mailings and spam. Finally, you will be able to see really important emails right away.
Egon
Bang, again these Yabloko guys were inventing something... 😒 Why all these unnecessary bells and whistles and customizations? In my day, phones were simple and functional, not these bloated toys. But young people, of course, fell for fashionable nonsense.
Léa
Oh, Egon, you are as always! 🙄 Keep up with the progress, there are a lot of useful things in the new features of iOS 18. For example, new topographical maps in Maps with tourist routes - isn’t that great for travelers?
Grzegorz
I couldn't agree more with Leah. 👌 The ability to send messages over a satellite connection in Messages can be very useful when traveling when there is no cell signal. This is a really useful feature!
Maddalena
Guys, have you noticed the new text effects in Messages? 🤩 It will be possible to highlight important words in bold, italics and even underlining directly in messages. It's so great for communication!