Apple Inc. AAPL is readying two major changes with its iOS 18 update, right from the home screen to AI features.
What Happened: The iOS 18 update, scheduled for announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, will bring about a revamped home screen, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The new home screen will offer users more flexibility, including the ability to freely place app icons on the grid, creating gaps on the screen for the first time.
Apple is positioning iOS 18 as its most significant iPhone update yet with a strong emphasis on AI. The company is expected to integrate AI-powered features across the operating system, including potential chatbot functionality through Alphabet Inc.'s Google Gemini.
Apple’s AI strategy aims to bring the company up to speed with other tech giants and will include a range of AI features designed to help users manage their daily lives.
Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
This could include Siri improvements, AI-generated playlists for Apple Music, and smarter reply suggestions in Messages.
Apple is also set to unveil other operating systems at WWDC, including iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and a new version of macOS.
The first developer betas for these updates are expected in June, with a public release likely to coincide with the iPhone 16 launch in September.
Why It Matters: The iOS 18 update has been a topic of significant speculation in recent months. In January, Gurman suggested that iOS 18 could be the most pivotal update in the history of the iPhone, with anticipated enhancements including RCS support in the Message app and improved Siri functionality.
Apple’s AI capabilities have been a key focus, with the company making strategic moves to bolster its AI features for iOS 18, including the acquisition of Canadian AI startup DarwinAI.
Apple’s iOS 18 update is also expected to include new features such as a hearing aid mode for AirPods Pro, further expanding the accessibility and functionality of Apple’s devices.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link.
Read Next: Apple’s DOJ Lawsuit ‘So Weird,’ Says Former Windows Head Who Witnessed Microsoft Antitrust Trial
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
