Here are the changes coming to Mac and iPhone this fall
The big announcement for all of the company’s operating systems is undoubtedly Apple Intelligence, a set of artificial intelligence tools that can be used across all types of apps and through Siri.
WWDC is an annual event where Apple showcases tools that developers can now use to create apps and games across platforms.
Moreover, for more than ten years there has been meeting where Apple announces news which will appear in future versions of the operating systems of your devices. News coming to iPhones, iPads, and Macs already on the market (and those soon to be released).
These updates are usually released in the fall, but starting this week developers will be able to access them in beta. Starting next month, Apple will also make beta versions of them available to the general public.
iOS 18
Without a doubt, this is a big announcement for all of the company’s operating systems. Apple Intelligence, a set of artificial intelligence tools that can be used in all types of applications and through Siri.
These tools, however, Initially they will only be available in English. Apple plans to launch them in other languages and territories starting in 2025.
In any case, the iPhone will receive other important new features and functions.
Personalization: With iOS18, customization options have increased. You can now rearrange the order of icons, leaving empty spaces on the device screen (something common on Android, but Apple didn’t allow you to do this on iPhone). Icons can also be colored in a single hue, and Control Center is now customizable with many more controls and actions, and also has multiple pages for organizing different shortcuts.
Hidden apps: The new version of the operating system will allow you to lock applications using biometric control or a password, or directly hide them if the user so desires.
Photo: The Photos app has been redesigned to feature more organization and categorization options, including collections and a more advanced filtering system to separate out types of photos that aren’t necessarily memories, such as receipt or document photos and screenshots.
Messages: The messaging app has expanded the type of reactions (tapbacks) that can be applied to a message and the effects that text can have. Messages can now also be scheduled to be sent at specific times.
Satellite messages: iPhones will be able to use satellite connections to send regular messages. Until now, the service only allowed emergency messages created using a special assistant.
Cards: In addition to traffic and walking maps, you can now download walking maps with personalized routes and elevation information.
Game Mode: Inherited from Mac computers, this new feature allows you to optimize your phone’s performance for a better gaming experience by allocating more system resources to them and limiting notifications while you’re playing.
Passwords: The new app, which will also be available on Mac, Windows and iPadOS, will allow you to manage and share passwords across different web services or apps.
iPadOS 18
The vast majority of iOS news, such as customization or messaging capabilities, will also be available on the company’s tablet operating system. However, these devices have some specific new features.
Calculator and Math Notes: The iPad is finally getting a calculator app (an omission that has become a running joke among users), but interestingly, Apple has decided to take advantage of its arrival to launch a new tool: math annotations. It allows you to solve handwritten math problems and displays the results using the user’s own handwriting. It can even be used to solve physics problems or display graphs.
SmartScript: iPad also treats text written with Apple Pencil as digital text, allowing you to copy and paste it, delete words by restructuring the text, or add words while always preserving the user’s handwriting. It will also adjust text as you type to make it more readable.
Remote control: Using this feature, it will be possible to remotely control a family member’s iPad, for example, to provide technical support.
macOS Sequoia
The new version of the Mac operating system will also benefit from Apple Intelligence, but will also bring changes and new applications.
iPhone remote control: It allows users to access their iPhone and use all its features directly from the Mac. Wallpapers and icons are laid out just like on the iPhone, and users can navigate between pages on the Home screen or open and use any app using the Mac keyboard. mouse.
Game portal 2 tools: This tool allows you to transfer games created for Windows to your Mac. The second version also makes it easier to create executable versions on iPad and expands compatibility with multiple games with better support for Windows-specific libraries. This means Mac will have access to more and better games.
Organization: Now, at the user’s request, you can organize windows with a predefined grid arrangement. When you drag a window to a corner of the screen, macOS automatically suggests a position to fit it on your desktop.
Basic moments: This new Safari feature makes it easier to find information on the web by retrieving directions, summaries, or quick links. When Safari detects a video on a page, the viewer brings it to the front and displays system media playback controls, including Picture-in-Picture.