Apple announced its annual iPhone 15 Series in September 2023. The lineup includes iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Along with the iPhone 15 Series, Apple has also rolled out iOS 17 with better privacy and security features. While we have just encountered iOS 17, expectations from iOS 18 have already started building up. There is quite a lot that Apple can improve with iOS 18 and we have listed below what we feel needs to change or get better.
Apple iOS 18: Release Timeline
Apple sticks to a strict timetable when it comes to software launches, so iOS 18 is expected to be teased during the Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024. The iOS 18 software will roll out in September or October 2024.
Features we would like to see in iOS 18 in 2024
1. Smarter Siri
Apple’s virtual assistant Siri is in dire need of getting updated. Although Apple does claim to make it smarter every year, that is just not enough considering how much can still be done to make it useful. Some reports claim that Siri will get smarter in 2024 and the new capabilities will include helping users automate complex, multi-step tasks with voice-based commands. This means Siri might be able to take a series of photos, turn them into a GIF, and send the GIF to a friend in one go.
Siri’s functionality is said to be similar to the Shortcuts app. For a long time now Siri has been criticized for lagging behind assistants like Alexa and Google mainly due to Apple’s focus on security. Now, this time Apple looks to achieve a better balance between privacy and functionality to make Siri smarter. Siri being able to integrate with 3rd party apps allowing users to control and interact with a wider range of apps using voice commands will also be a good improvement. Having quiet hours for Siri replies will also be useful as no one wants loud replies disturbing their sleep at 3 AM.
2. The Control Center Needs a Revamp
The Apple Control Center has been looking the same for years now, the result being it’s bulky and restricted. This has led to customizable lock screens becoming more personal. Various toggles can’t be moved around or deleted by users which is annoying at times. Apple should definitely work on improving its control center with iOS 18. Users should be able to tweak whatever they like easily.
3. Improved Maps & Navigation
Apple Maps getting updated will lead to an even more immersive and detailed navigation experience. Maps interface offering better visuals, that include 3D landmarks and improved road information will be useful. Features like 360-degree views of selected locations and better transit directions would be likable.
4. Wireless OS Recovery
At present, iPhone can locate Apple Watch or Apple TV but it can’t do the same for an iPad or another iPhone. iOS 18 should bring this capability to the iPhone wherein it can revive another iPhone or iPad if it dies. Since the iPad is being offered as a substitute for a PC, this OS recovery form will eliminate the need for any form of wired recovery that was present earlier. Even if one doesn’t have a Mac or iPad, they will be able to revive their iPhone using a friend’s iPhone easily.
5. Improved Sleep App
Sleep Tracker is found in the Health App on iOS. This app allows you to set the number of hours you would like to spend asleep along with setting up bedtime and wake-up times. iPhone allows you to reduce distractions and turn on sleep focus at your scheduled bedtime. This time Apple should include a Nap Tracker in Sleep app for iPhone.
6. Better Camera App
Apple tries to make its camera app better every year and still, there can be more that can be done. With the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, there is a tetraprism camera with support for 5x optical zoom, LOG video shooting support, better portrait mode, and more. Although iPhone users can shoot RAW and ProRes media using the built-in camera app, there is still no proper manual for those who want to do professional photography. The filters in the camera app have become stale as well.
Moreover, something like a magic eraser for photos (like Pixel phones have) will also make the photography experience better on iPhone.
7. Customizable App Library
Apple introduced the App Library with iOS 14 where users could clean up their home screens and have their apps bundled in a dedicated section at the end. The only issue was that the app library categorizes and groups apps into folders based on the app’s usage so users have no control over how they want to organize their apps. iOS lists these folders based on how frequently you use the apps inside. This categorization might be liked by some, but there are still users who want to arrange apps their own way. Apple making this possible would be a good change for sure.
8. More Functionality for Action Button
While Apple has provided an action button with the iPhone 15 Pro Max the usage of this button is limited to a single action. Shortcuts app helps generate a number of actions that can be triggered with this button, it only supports one key action- clicking and holding it. It would be better if iOS 18 offers more functionality for the Action Button like double clicking or holding down actions.
9. AirPods Update Option
Apple’s premium TWS earbuds called AirPods get updates from time to time but there is no option to get those updates in the settings app on iOS. It would be better if iOS 18 came with a force update feature for AirPods as the workaround method of downloading and installing the update if you connect your AirPods to a charger and placing them next to your iPhone doesn’t always work.
10. Better Notifications
Those who use Apple iPhones know how messed up their notifications are. Disturbances can be filtered with focus modes but there are still issues. One can’t change the default notification tone of 3rd party apps unless developers choose to implement it manually. Most apps sound the same so the user can’t distinguish between notifications without looking at the phone or watch. The notifications are overwhelming to look at and iOS doesn’t work very hard in handling them. Apple should make iOS 18 use Dynamic Island better so that notifications are better organized.
11. Handoff support for Apple Music
Apple Music is a premium subscription service offered by Apple and since the company has a tight ecosystem one would assume that Handoff support between iDevices is available but surprisingly it is not.
Spotify comes with a feature called Spotify Connect that allows users to control any online device’s queue using any other device. You can easily switch the audio output device to continue listening to the music queue playing on your Mac using your iPhone. Currently, Apple Music allows its users to hand off the music queue between an iPhone and a HomePod but the feature can’t be used between Macs, iPads, or different iPhones. iOS 18 should change it.
The release of iOS 18 is eagerly awaited by Apple enthusiasts who want to get a better experience on their iPhones. While we are aware that Apple would definitely not make all these improvements that we have discussed we hope the brand fulfills at least some of our expectations.
What do you want iOS 18 should have? Let us know in the comments section below.
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