Top Must-See Features of WWDC 2024: Highlights You Can't Miss

Overview of New Features in iOS 18 at WWDC 2024

During the keynote address of the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple unveiled a range of new features across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and VisionOS, as well as the introduction of Apple Intelligence. The developer beta is now available to users, with additional features gradually being revealed beyond what was presented in the speech. Here’s a summary of some key updates in iOS 18.

Updates to the Messages App

iOS 18 introduces support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), enabling Android users to send high-quality media, typing indicators, and read receipts when messaging Apple devices. Despite this enhancement, RCS messages will still appear in green bubbles, indicating that the competition is not over.

Additionally, users can identify who reacted to which emoji and add text effects when sending emojis.

Design Enhancements

The update allows users to customize icon text size through personalized menus. Apple is also providing developers with APIs to adjust the color tones of application icons. Users can now change the lock screen action buttons and create tag groups for easier management of Safari tabs.

Settings Redesign

iOS 18 features a revamped Control Center with a multi-page interface and personalization options for simplifying the device shutdown process. A new app menu replaces the previous app list in Settings, while the search function offers Spotlight-style suggestions. Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities allow administrators to disable AI features such as ChatGPT and Math Notes.

Language and Input Improvements

The new multilingual keyboard capability lets users input text in multiple languages without switching keyboards. Real-time text now supports Arabic, with inline autocomplete added for French and Spanish, and Hindi has been included in the translation app's language options.

Utility Updates

The Weather app has introduced settings for home and work locations, displaying both actual and feels-like temperatures. Voice Memos now support stereo recording, and the Calendar app includes multi-day and list views for better event tracking. In the Notes app, users can assign different colors to text and share Wi-Fi credentials via QR codes.

Enhancements to the Photos App

The Photos app now includes a wallpaper suggestions album, along with practical categories like receipts, handwritten notes, and QR codes. The editing button layout has also been reorganized for efficiency.

Accessibility Features

iOS 18 adds motion cues with dots on the screen to help reduce motion sickness. Users can control their devices through eye tracking and custom voice phrases can be used to trigger specific actions. The touch menu functionality allows users to execute tasks through voice commands, creating a more personalized user experience.

These highlights represent some of the significant updates in iOS 18, with more features set to be unveiled upon the official fall release.