What to Expect from Apple WWDC 2024: iOS 18, macOS 15, and AI Features

Jun. 5, 2024

iOS 18 with AI Galore

In addition, iOS 18 will introduce some useful design changes that users have been waiting for ages now. The update will arrive witha more customizable Home Screen experience, offering greater control over the Home Screen app icon arrangement and the colors of the individual app icons. Finally, users will have the freedom to create blank spaces, columns, and rows between app icons. Besides, there would be an option to “change the color of app icons” for easy identification.

Starting iOS 18,Apple will support the RCS messaging standardto enable smooth communication between iPhone and Android users. This should bring several improvements like better group chats, read receipts, real-time typing indicators, audio messages, higher-resolution photos & video, location sharing, and more. Apart from the RCS support, Apple is likely to add anew text effects feature to the Messages appwith iOS 18.

Also, we’ll get to see a bunch of new Accessibility features. Apple is also ready to supercharge some of its popular built-in apps like Mail, Notes, Safari, Photos, and Fitness.

Safariwill receive an updated look and new tools, including an“Intelligent Search” option and a Web Eraser tool.Apple Mapsmay get Topographic Maps and an option to save custom routes as an alternative to the pre-selected routes. TheCalendarapp will have better integration with Reminder, thePhotos appis likely to have AI integrations for editing, andApple Musicmay gain auto-generated playlists andsmarter song transition features.The Notes app will now let you record voice memos and perform more complex mathematical equations on your notes. This will surely bring the Apple’s Notes appcloser to the Microsoft OneNote app.

For more details, you can visit our dedicated article onwhat’s coming in iOS 18.

One of the major additions would be thebuilt-in Calculator app for the iPad lineup.Yes, finally after 14 years, iPads will get a native Calculator app. It would be available on all the iPads compatible with the iPadOS 18 update.

At WWDC, Apple will add a new member to themacOS versions.The upcoming macOS 15 is expected to feature arevamped Calculator app with the Notes app integration, a resizable window, a history tape feature, and updated unit conversation features. While there are no clues at the moment, the updated Mac Calculator app might be based on the new iPad app coming in iPadOS 18. Also, the Calendar app will have the Reminders integration so users can manage reminders from within the Calendar app.

Apple’s macOS 15 is expected to arrive with several new Accessibility features, including Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, a Live Speech enhancement, and an expanded app support for custom font sizes. Also, there are reports that theFreeform appwill get a new Freeform Scenes feature to allow users to choose specific sections on boards to ease navigation. We’ll also get to see arevamped System Settings app on Macand the Settings app on iPhone & iPad.

Just like iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Generative AI will play a huge role in macOS 15.

Apple will also reveal the new operating system for its Apple Watch lineup. Compared to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac updates, the new Apple watchOS would be a fairly minor update with fewer additions and improvements. We can expectwatchOS 11to bring more health and fitness features to Apple Watch owners, and Artificial Intelligence may be present here as well. We might see new Watch faces, improved sleep tracking, and a Workout revamp.

Other accessibility features include Smart Invert, Reduce Transparency, and Dim Flashing Lights for people who have low vision, or users who want to avoid bright lights and frequent flashing.

Besides, Apple is expected to update its developer-focused apps, like Xcode, Swift, and TestFlight. The giant will also make some improvements to CarPlay. With the Voice Control feature, users can easily navigate CarPlay and control apps with their voice. There will be a Sound Recognition feature for drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to turn on alerts to be notified of car horns. Colorblinds can use the Color Filters feature that makes the CarPlay interface easier to use with bold and large texts.

Generally, WWDC tends to be a software-focused event, but Apple has also released several hardware products in recent years. While a lot is scheduled in Apple’s hardware pipeline, there are no rumors yet that Apple will announce new hardware.