Apple releases iOS 18 with customizable home screen, updates for macOS, watchOS

Apple (AAPL) has unveiled a series of software updates for its most important software offerings, including iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and more. The updates bring a variety of changes to Apple devices, from an updated Photos app for the iPhone to a new Vitals app for the Apple Watch.

The resources also emerge as the company implements its artificial intelligence strategy across its various products and services. The company announced its new Apple Intelligence generative AI platform, complete with an updated version of Siri and access to OpenAI’s GPT-4o for its iPhone, iPad and Mac products. More on that here.

Here are the biggest updates coming to Apple devices later this year.

iOS 18

The latest version of iOS, dubbed iOS 18, will feature a new customizable home screen for iPhone that lets you rearrange icons how you want them to appear, so you no longer have to keep them in a rigid grid like before. since the launch of the iPhone in 2007. You’ll also be able to change the color of your app icons to give them a personalized look.

Control Center is also getting major improvements, allowing you to add and reconfigure app shortcuts for third-party apps. On the privacy front, Apple announced a new feature called Lock An App, which requires users to use Face ID to unlock and access certain apps. A new hidden folder option will also allow you to hide specific apps on your iPhone.

Meanwhile, the Messages app will now include the ability to schedule text messages and text effects such as animated words and emojis that appear on the screen. The Mail app will have a new look with on-device categorizations that will place your messages into sections like top emails, promotions, or other note updates.

Apple is also finally bringing Rich Communication Services (RCS) to its Messages app. The feature means iPhone users will be able to send high-quality images, videos and encrypted texts to Android users. You will, however, still have to deal with those pesky green chat bubbles.

Apple’s Wallet app will now include a tap-to-cash feature that lets you quickly pay a friend using Apple Cash by tapping your phone.

Game Mode is also coming to iPhone. In this mode, your iPhone will automatically reduce background activities to ensure games run smoothly and without lag.

The Photos app for iOS 18 gets a major design update that puts a grid of photos from your entire library at the top of the screen and a filter button that lets you organize images. You can also explore photos in the People & Pets section, which lets you view groups of photos of specific people and, well, pets.

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Apple’s iPadOS 18 comes with many of the same features as iOS 18, including the new Photos app and customizable home screen. The software will also come with new updates for things like SharePlay, which lets you control another user’s iPad to help them navigate and adjust settings. The company is also bringing the Calculator app to the iPad, something that has been missing for some time. The app will include a Math Notes feature that will let you write math equations on the screen using Apple Pencil and have the iPad instantly solve them for you.

Vision OS 2

Apple also announced its visionOS 2, the second iteration of the operating system that powers the Vision Pro headset. The company says the AR/VR device’s Photos app now offers the option to transform traditional 2D photos into 3D-style photos using image learning. machine, so you can view your photos from different perspectives.

There are also new ways to navigate the operating system, such as raising an open hand to open the home screen. Mac Virtual Display, which lets you mirror your Mac’s screen to Vision Pro, is also getting an update to create larger virtual displays, and Apple says it’s adding train support for using Vision Pro on the go when you’re walking around the rails. The feature is intended to prevent the screen from moving awkwardly while you’re on your way. There is a similar option for flights.

Apple says the Vision Pro will also arrive in more countries, including China, Japan and Singapore in June and European countries in July.

WatchOS 11

Apple’s watchOS 11, meanwhile, introduces a new training mode that can tell you how your workouts are impacting your body over time. The watch will use an algorithm to estimate how hard you exert yourself during exercise. You’ll then be able to rate your effort level from 1 to 10. Apple Watch will use this data to help you understand how much your training is helping you improve over time.

Fortunately, you’ll also be able to pause your exercise rings, allowing you to tell your Apple Watch if you’re taking a day off from working out or if you’ve suffered an injury that prevents you from exercising.

A new Vitals app for the watch will be able to provide a more in-depth look at your overall health and tell you when your heart rate, temperature, and sleep are out of sync with their normal ranges.

Sequoia

MacOS Sequoia, which powers Macs and MacBooks, brings many of the features found in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, including Math Notes for the Calculator app and more expressive text in Messages, as well as a new iPhone Mirroring function that lets you wirelessly access and control your iPhone from your Mac.

You’ll also be able to move your apps around the screen, positioning them in different quadrants to make the most of the screen space. The Safari browser, on the other hand, comes with the ability to summarize articles while eliminating distractions from web pages, which will certainly affect online advertisers.

Apple is also releasing a new version of its gaming toolkit to bring more Windows-based games to Macs and MacBooks. The company has been working to delve deeper into gaming for years, and it appears to be paying off as more developers begin releasing titles for the company’s systems. Case in point: Ubisoft has announced that its latest title “Assassin’s Creed” will be available for Mac as well as iPhone later this year.

Apple traditionally releases its latest software updates during the fall, with iOS launching alongside the iPhone. You can expect iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS, and macOS to arrive at the same time.

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

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