This is the future I've been dreaming about since I bought an iPhone in 2007. I can't believe it is finally coming true. Hopefully this doesn't require the latest iPhone hardware.
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Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid
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I was having a tech conversation with someone recently, and they asked why I use a Mac Mini and iPad and not an iPhone (haven't had one since the 3GS). One of the reasons I mentioned was my preference for creating space on screens to separate app types, which this update might actually allow. I'm not a heavy phone user so using Android phones has worked great for me, but this might get me to consider iPhone more seriously for the convenience of having everything synced across devices.
Who said it was groundbreaking? All the original report was that the screen would be “more customizable” by allowing icon placement. People on here are complaining that Apple is trying to claim that is “groundbreaking”. This is just one small change among a bunch of others likely in the new version. Complaining can be lots of fun, but if you’re going to complain about things at least do it about real problems and not imagined ones.
Icon packs, please.
Or just the ability to change icons manually. I really want to try an all b/w UI — but the 'shortcuts for everything'-method is just too hack-ish for me.
Or just the ability to change icons manually. I really want to try an all b/w UI — but the 'shortcuts for everything'-method is just too hack-ish for me.
I think Apple is missing out by not making iOS more customizable from an aesthetic standpoint. If they created themes and called them something like Apple Skins, they could sell them for a fortune, even if they just sold them to my kids. 😜
LOL this should've happened 15 years ago. And the ridiculous way you needed to add blank spaces using a widget that was a screenshot of your wallpaper. WTF.
How bout a T9 dialer finally?
True theming system wide in iOS 18?
Highly doubt iOS 18 will get me away from my S24 Ultra, or upcoming Pixel 9 Pro. To me iOS feels stuck in the Stone age.
How bout a T9 dialer finally?
True theming system wide in iOS 18?
Highly doubt iOS 18 will get me away from my S24 Ultra, or upcoming Pixel 9 Pro. To me iOS feels stuck in the Stone age.
Less authentic=more authentic huh?
I just don’t understand why Apple brings Android features that absolutely nobody asks for. What’s next, empty application pages? Pre-loaded Facebook and LinkedIn apps that you cannot remove?
The only feature I want in iOS is theming and more UI customization options. I want my skeuomorphism back, thats it. If they don’t like it and not interested in making redesign – so be it, let me install it myself.
Because it is hard to focus on highly minimalistic UI. Even on Android you got no proper theming without rooting. Our modern society is so focused on individuality and differences in every human being, yet our phone UIs look almost identical with exception of wallpapers
I just don’t understand why Apple brings Android features that absolutely nobody asks for. What’s next, empty application pages? Pre-loaded Facebook and LinkedIn apps that you cannot remove?
The only feature I want in iOS is theming and more UI customization options. I want my skeuomorphism back, thats it. If they don’t like it and not interested in making redesign – so be it, let me install it myself.
Because it is hard to focus on highly minimalistic UI. Even on Android you got no proper theming without rooting. Our modern society is so focused on individuality and differences in every human being, yet our phone UIs look almost identical with exception of wallpapers
Anyway apps are dirt cheap and since then (2012) there are not so many apps that I would pirate anyway. Everyone waiting for GTA IV for iOS but it is still not there. Most games nowadays are uncrackable free2plays with crapton of ads. I still remember these days when San Andreas on iPhone 5 was blowing my mind.
That's probably because that is a single person to call.
When I want to call Mr. and Mrs. Jones Siri says she can only call one person at a time. But it's one contact, a single number, you know, as in married and living together, me wanting to call their landline.
However old iPhones, X and earlier, will NOT get the update, because the extra new space and arrangement of icons requires new Apple silicon capable of rendering empty spaces with the help of AI.
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter.
While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was first to report that the iPhone would get a "more customizable" Home Screen starting with iOS 18. It is already possible to customize the Home Screen and create blank app icons with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, but Apple's own personalization options will be more convenient and official.
iPhone users have already been able to customize the Lock Screen since iOS 16, and we expect the Home Screen to receive similar treatment with iOS 18. The update will introduce additional customization options for the Home Screen, according to our sources, and this could result in the biggest Home Screen revamp in several years.
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Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June. Other features and changes rumored for the update include new generative AI functionality for Siri and multiple apps, RCS support in the Messages app for improved messaging between iPhones and Android devices, design changes, and more.
Article Link: Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid
draft - this is an interesting idea. And/or even if they made a 1x4 or 2x4 or 2x2 widget that contained 4, 8, or 9 (small icons in the 2x2 widget) in order of recently used could be interesting
