Apple announced several new features and updates onstage during its WWDC 2024 keynote, including updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and VisionOS, as well as the introduction of Apple Intelligence.
As we use developer betas and explore the sessions at the event, we're starting to see more features emerge that weren't announced on stage. Keep in mind that only certain devices will be compatible with iOS 18, which will be released later in the fall. Here's a non-exhaustive list of those features:
Messages app update
Apple didn't mention Rich Messaging Service (RCS) support on stage, but it did briefly tease the feature on tiles during its iOS feature collage presentation. RCS support will allow Android users to send and receive high-quality media while chatting with friends who use Apple products. RCS also enables typing indicators and read notifications. However, all RCS-enabled messages will remain green bubbles, so the battle isn't over yet.
Image Credit: Apple Another messaging-related update is that in iOS 18, you can see who tapped back on which emoji. Additionally, you can add text effects to emojis as you send them.
iOS 18 brings new design elements
Users can make icon text larger and hidden in the customization menu. Apple has stated that it will provide developers with APIs to customize app icon tints. iOS 18 lets users swap action buttons on the lock screen. With API-based integration, developers can now give users access to the camera app directly from the lock screen, meaning they can make that app the default camera app. Safari now shows new tab group creation UI when you swipe right from the tab switching screen. Devices requesting Bluetooth permission have a new UI that displays a map showing the device's current location.
Some settings in iOS 18 have been updated
Apple has unveiled a new Control Center with a multi-page interface and better customization capabilities, along with a handy button to turn off the device directly, so users don't have to hold down the power + volume buttons.
Image Credit: Screenshot by TechCrunch A new Apps menu has been added to Settings, replacing all the apps listed on the main page.
Image Credit: Screenshots by TechCrunch Search in Settings now shows Spotlight-style suggestions.
Image credit: Screenshot from TechCrunch Apple says there will be mobile device management (MDM) controls that will let admins turn off AI-powered features like ChatGPT and Math Notes The iCloud page in Settings has a new design.
Image credit: Screenshot from TechCrunch
Language and input updates
Multilingual keyboards are a new feature that allow you to type in multiple scripts and languages without changing keyboards. Live Text now supports Arabic.
Image Credit: Apple Apple is adding inline completion features in French and Spanish. The company has added Hindi as a language option in its Translator app.
utility
The Weather app now has new home and work location settings. The Weather app now displays a graph of the actual temperature and the “Feels like” temperature, along with a visual indicator of how much the “Feels like” temperature differs from the actual temperature in the main app.
Image Credit: Screenshot from TechCrunch The Voice Memos app allows you to record in stereo.
Image Credit: Screenshot by TechCrunch You can now define a recommended charging limit in settings.
iOS 18 DB1 adds more charging options.
Do you want to set your iPhone's charging limit higher than 80%?
Image credit: r/iOSBeta / u/jd14021999 pic.twitter.com/yit6qZttyX
— Liandr (@TechLiandr) June 10, 2024
The new update will let you know if you're plugged into a slow charger. Calendar now has multi-day and list views, making it easier to keep track of upcoming events. Pinch to zoom in the month view in the Calendar app to see your schedule at a glance. The Notes app finally lets you assign different colors to text. You can now share your Wi-Fi credentials as a QR code through the new Passwords app.
Photo app has been revamped
The Photos app now has a wallpaper suggestions album. The Photos app has new utility types like receipt, handwriting, QR code, document, map illustration, etc. In addition to this, it also has categories like recently viewed, recently edited, recently shared, etc. The photo editing button has been moved from the top right to the bottom bar.
Image credit: Screenshot from TechCrunch
Other accessibility features
iOS 18 now displays motion cues in the form of dots on your screen to help reduce motion sickness felt while riding in a car. The new update also lets you set up eye tracking to control your device with your eye movements. iOS 18 lets you define voice shortcuts, which means you can speak custom phrases and your iPhone will perform related actions. For example, you can define phrases to go to the Home screen, open the camera, trigger shortcuts, or invoke Siri requests.
Image Credit: Apple Additionally, you can define Sound Actions through the Touch menu to map actions to sounds like click, cluck, yippee, ra, ooh, smack, etc. iOS 18 will also allow users to experience music through haptics like taps, textures and sophisticated vibrations that match the track's audio.
This is likely just the set of features that those using the early beta, including us, have found, and we'll continue to update this story as more features emerge.
If you'd like to cover a feature found in the developer beta of a new Apple platform update, contact this reporter at im@ivanmehta.com.