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Apple Announces iOS 18 With New Customization Features, Redesigned Photos App, and More
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The AI features on the iPhone are mostly running on device (if you look into AI LLMs & the hardware needed, ideally 16GB is needed, but can run on 8GB well, but not below that), combination of privacy reasons and also response time reasons.
Android running on less hardware is not running things on device, sending more data off device - which means slower response times, even more so when you're in an area with poor mobile signal service, and also impacts on your data plan. As well as being less secure.
So, whilst yes, Apple have in the past restricted some features arbitrarily to sell new devices, this time there's facts that back up their choice.
Controversial statement - I dislike the MacOS ones, they're just not nice looking in comparison to the clean iOS ones.
Yes I know, you are like the 20th person to tell me lol. Feel better now that you got that out?
For me, a feature that is extremely necessary with Apple's new AI is the ability to merge and delete duplicate photos. Right now, the system only works with identical photographs, but most people take hundreds of pictures that are very similar. Then, choosing the best ones or even combining information from multiple photos to create the perfect shot (in terms of focus, etc.) would save a huge amount of space on the phone, and you could truly keep the photos that are worth it. Does anyone know if a system like this is being considered?
No one knows yet. Maybe something will be said in the sessions this week, but I suspect that's something that won't be anytime near launch, at least.
I would also add this - Apple's white paper on running large language models on limited memory devices (ie: 8GB) was published in December 2023, after the iPhone 15 came out. The research on this paper was likely occurring well after the iPhone 15 family's specs were locked in. It's entirely possible Apple thought 6GB of RAM would have even been sufficient, allowing the AI features to go back all the way to the 12 Pro, but found during its research and testing that it was inadequate.
Unrelated note: Hopefully this means the next generation base iPad and iPad mini and gets bumped up to 8GB of RAM so these features can be enabled. RAM is one of the biggest reasons why we don't have higher end more desktop-grade apps on iPad and the 4GB in the current base iPad isn't going to cut it anymore.
It's a very cool feature indeed but probably isn't getting as much attention because emergency satellite messaging has been available on iOS for a year and a half and regular satellite messaging has already been announced for Android 15.
The bit in bold is what screams out at me as being the case. They probably thought that maybe, by the time they were ready to release Apple Intelligence, they might have found a way to make it work, but it just didn't meet the standard.
I would bet my beard that the new iPhones going forwards will be minimum 8GB, except maybe an SE like device if they decide to do one.
I just want to know if things set now by default can be set back to the way we had it before.
AI is just arriving and I’m sick of it already.
AI is just arriving and I’m sick of it already.
Apple, it's been 6 years.
PLEASE give us a setting to globally turn off that white "home bar" glaring at us at the bottom of every open app!
That home bar is annoying, distracting and useless. The white bar covers text and other elements of the display. It distracts when using at night or on a dark themed app. Give us the customization for THAT.
Apple, you act as though you are actually proud of that obtrusive white bar, forcing it onto the screen of every iPad and iPhone that doesn't have a home button. It's utterly ridiculous!
PLEASE give us a setting to globally turn off that white "home bar" glaring at us at the bottom of every open app!
That home bar is annoying, distracting and useless. The white bar covers text and other elements of the display. It distracts when using at night or on a dark themed app. Give us the customization for THAT.
Apple, you act as though you are actually proud of that obtrusive white bar, forcing it onto the screen of every iPad and iPhone that doesn't have a home button. It's utterly ridiculous!
Not going to happen, the hiding of it, as it’s going to be the new way to invoke ‘type to Siri’.
Obviously, not many people care enough about it being an issue? Or Apple might have offered option to hide by now. So you’re in a minority
I want to view the ENTIRE screen. I don't want that white bar covering text or appearing in screenshots. Why remove the home button to give us more screen real estate then cover it up with that useless stripe?
By the way, many people have asked for a setting to turn off the home bar. What amazed me was the vehemence of the fan boys who attacked the mere mention of a customization switch.
This is just one of many articles --->
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/01/14/youtube-app-2018-ipad-pro-support/
The current situation makes ZERO sense. If you want or need that white home bar / swipe bar that's fine. Just give us the option to turn it off. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Have you met the internet and those that come to Macrumors and say how much they dislike anything apple...
Your entire "argument" is bogus.
- Not going to happen, the hiding of it, as it’s going to be the new way to invoke ‘type to Siri’.
- You don't know whether it's going to happen. Neither do you know about Siri future plans
- Obviously, not many people care enough about it being an issue? Or Apple might have offered option to hide by now.
- It is NOT at all obvious how many people care about this. In addition, Apple has many requests in the backlog which have not yet been implemented. Maybe Apple is simply fascinated by this home bar "design jewel" and are not motivated to change it, regardless of customer opinion.
- This very article presents new customizations which were not envisioned nor requested by many. Just read the posts here.
- So you’re in a minority
- Another fallacy. What does supposedly being in the minority have to do with anything?
Agreed!!! I am curious, though, will ANY phone on iOS 18 be able to run Messages via satellite? My guess is it will have to be an iPhone 14 or newer, but I would love to be wrong.
Response to your first point: Maybe rewatch the Keynote, specifically the Apple Intelligence section...... they demo and state as such
Also, to further back that up, some links confirming the same....
Apple is giving Siri an AI upgrade in iOS 18
The virtual assistant is being updated with more AI features.
www.theverge.com
The next Siri will make it look like you're squishing your phone and other secrets of Apple Intelligence you may have missed
The devil's in the details
Point 2 & 3 - It's a vocal minority in the scheme how many iPhone owners have devices which have this, otherwise it would have been addressed by now, but it has not.
Clearly we will have to agree to disagree, on points 2 & 3. Nice chatting with you.
android needs 8GB of ram at least as well and why I think it's available for the devices it is.
Only the iPhone 14 and newer have the antennas and modems for satellite connectivity.
Apple seems to have devolved into a caricature of its former self. It's hard to ignore the fact that without the contributions of Samsung, Android's open-source software, and innovative patent-holding companies, Apple's standing today would likely be different. The recurring cliché of 'just wait until the next version' has become an annual joke, as Apple appears to prioritize superficial changes such as minor color variations, 'pride' and racial wallpapers, and additional emojis. Meanwhile, significant issues persist, including the ineffective Siri voice-to-text function, longstanding cursor placement problems, and the visually distracting 'Dynamic Island.' As Apple becomes increasingly politically driven and protective of its brand image, innovation seems to be relegated to the backseat. Apple's approach mirrors that of Microsoft. With each new version of Windows, the updates appear to be merely cosmetic, while essential core functions become increasingly obscured within the operating system. Apple seems to be lost, and it's impossible to overlook the well-known human rights violations of their business partners, the comical failure of their misplaced VR goggles, or the ostentatious AirPods Max. Apple is on a downward trend, and there's ample opportunity for other companies to capture market share through innovation and superior post-sales customer support.
Apple today previewed iOS 18, the next major update to the operating system for the iPhone, with new customization features, a redesigned Photos app, and more.
iOS 18 features new customization tools for the Home Screen. App icons now feature Dark Mode and users can tint them with a color to create a unique look. Apps can also now be placed anywhere on the Home Screen freely.
The Control Center is redesigned and highly customizable with a new gallery. Developers can provide tools for their apps in the Control Center. Users can continuously swipe to access other Control Center screens. Lock Screen controls are also customizable.
In Messages, tapbacks have been redesigned and users can now react with any emoji. Users can also schedule messages to send later, as well as format text with bold, italicization, underlining, and strikethrough. New text effects provide ways to emphasize words and phrases with automatic suggestions. Users can also now send and receive messages with satellite connectivity.
In Mail, emails are automatically sorted into categories to help prioritize messages. There are also new topographical maps with trail networks and hiking routes in the Maps app. In Wallet, a new Tap to Cash feature sends cash by holding iPhones together.
The Photos app is completely redesigned in iOS 18. The app has been unified into a single view, with a photo grid at the top that views the entire library and collections organized by theme below. Users can use Months and Years views at the bottom, and there's a filter button that allows you to hide screenshots and sort in other ways.
The space below the grid includes Collections with the ability to browse by topics like Time, People, Memories, Trips, and more. Recent Days shows photos from the past few days, with things like photos of receipts filtered out automatically. People and Pets now gathers photos of groups of people and collections can be reordered or pinned. Swipe right from the grid and you'll see a new carousel with Featured Photos and other favorite collections. It automatically refreshes to surface new images.
Users can now Lock apps with authentication, simultaneously hiding information from Search and Siri. iOS 18 also includes a new way to connect accessories more seamlessly.
iOS 18 brings RCS messaging support to the iPhone, larger Home Screen icons, and Reminders integration in calendar.
Game Mode also comes to the iPhone for the first time, minimizing background activity to keep frame rates high, plus more responsive connections to AirPods and wireless game controllers.
The first developer beta of iOS 18 is available starting today, with a public beta following in July, and official release to the public in the fall.
Article Link: Apple Announces iOS 18 With New Customization Features, Redesigned Photos App, and More
Apple can’t win. People complain when things don’t change, then complain when they do. Never please everyone.