I have questions about some features, but otherwise I’m looking forward to the OS.
I have questions about some features, but otherwise I’m looking forward to the OS.
Before Apple announced iOS 18 on Monday at their Worldwide Developers Conference, I wasn’t looking forward to the next iPhone operating system. I’ve tested dozens of iOS versions and numerous features, but the rumored iOS 18 features didn’t spark excitement for me. Leaks pointed to the implementation of generative artificial intelligence, which made me dread the OS. I hoped I was wrong about iOS 18 — that it would offer some useful new features people have been asking for — and it appears my wish came true.
Apple mentioned a few new features that I didn’t find compelling, or even necessary, because you could already do some of these things. But overall, when Apple’s iOS 18 presentation was over, I was impressed. I’m looking forward to the operating system’s fall release, because I’m sure I’ll use some of these changes for years to come.
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Here are some iOS 18 features from the presentation that I’m looking forward to — and a few I probably won’t use much.Home and lock screen customization
Thank you, Apple, but also, it’s about time. I’ve wanted both of these options for a while, and I wasn’t anticipating getting them simultaneously.
I’ve always felt weird about setting my wife or dog as my background just to have the Instagram or Spotify icons plastered over their faces. I’ve grouped apps in folders and hidden some icons in the App Library so they wouldn’t obstruct my background. But with iOS 18, I won’t run into that issue, because I can arrange my icons around my background.
I’ve also wanted to change my lock screen’s functions since Android introduced this ability in 2023. I don’t need a camera function on my lock screen when I can just swipe right to access my camera. And I really don’t need my flashlight to turn on when I put my phone in my pocket. It wasn’t clear what functions would be available for the lock screen, but I’d probably get more use out of Quick Notes.Control Center gives you more… control
Control Center is an iPhone feature that I would best describe as wonky. It feels crammed with controls I don’t necessarily need, and I can’t remove or adjust them. Adding controls is cumbersome and just makes the feature feel even more bloated.
But when Apple showed how iOS 18 lets you customize your Control Center layout and gives you additional Control Center screens, I was excited. I’ll be able to take the bloat from Control Center and spread it out across multiple screens. Easily adding controls also makes this a feature I’ll likely get more use out of moving forward instead of throwing my hands up in frustration.
Along with the home and lock screen, it feels like Apple is finally listening to people’s desires to customize their iPhone’s display features to better suit their needs and wants.I’m so excited for these Messages upgrades
I didn’t think I’d be thrilled for new and different ways of sending messages to people, but here we are. Apple announced that iOS 18 will let you schedule messages to send later, add text effects to emphasize words or phrases, and it’ll upgrade your Tapbacks — Apple’s version of Reactions.
