I’ve been trying out the new iOS18 beta software for iPhones, due to be released next month. The free upgrade offers many new features across multiple areas. While there’s no new earth-shattering features, there are plenty of useful improvements.
By making the software free, it not only benefits iPhone users, but it also benefits the Apple ecosystem, because it means a large majority of users will have the latest software, unlike the Android universe, where Android phones in use are using a much wide number of versions on a multutde of phone models with a range of hardware designs. As one that has to keep apps working for NeilYoungArchives.com, with every new change, Android has become much more difficult to support and test.
One new feature for iPhones is the ability to schedule text messages. Write them now and send them at a later time. This is much like the ability to schedule emails, a feature I regularly use to send reminders to myself that magically appear in my inbox at my choice of time and date. Text messages can’t be sent to yourself, so the primary value is to send a one at a particular time such as a message to be received in the morning rather than disturb someone late at night.
Speaking of messaging, there are a bunch of new special affects such as animated text, more emojis and stickers, and stuff more, probably more suited to Gen Zers.
Apple is also adding their version of artificial intelligence based on ChatGPT, calling it Apple intelligence (AI, get it?) It can provide editing help to anything you write and even provide matching images. It’s rolling out slowly and I’ve not yet encountered it.
Another new feature that I recently experienced is messaging over satellite while off the grid. I was tubing on the Madison RIver in Montana and my phone displayed a new satellite icon at the top right of the screen where the cellular signal is usually located. When I opened the Messaging app it told me to be sure my phone was in direct site of the sky and said me a satellite would be in range in one minute if I chose to send a message. Apple has said iOS 18 will continue to support satellite-based Emergency SOS which also lets you stream video and audio on emergency calls. Apple is not charging for these services, but it’s not clear whether that will change. Do you remeber the Breitling watch a couple of decades ago that tried to do something similar, but for thousands of dollars more?
One of the big changes is Apple Photos. When I opened it, instead of seeing all my photos, I saw various groupings organized by people, by travel locations and by whatever search term you chose (such as by a specific person, by pets, etc.) It uses image recognition, GPS data and text data in the images, and does a remarleably good job. I found it to get in the way of my normal use of reviewing recent pictures, but some may like the extra features.
Here’s a tip. I always take a photo of my credit cards to have the information with me all the time. I can retrieve the images by just typing in Chase.
I should note that one of the most useful features in Photos is “Shared album,” where a group of us on vacation was able to send our favorite photos to a new album for all to share.
Lastley, the Calculator has been a simple 4 -function app for years, but now has two bew modes, a scientific calc and a free form area where you can write mathematical expressions using your finger and it will calculate and display the answer.
iOS18 is designed to work on phones from the iPhone 10 series and newer. Rarely does Apple give anything away. We pay for extra storage, we pay for their news and music, and for insurance, but free software goes a long ways to keep our loyalty.