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iOS 18 is the latest version of Apple's iPhone operating system, and probably its most staggered update to date. Originally launched with the iPhone 16 in September, it is now December and access to a slew of Apple Intelligence features promised at the iPhone Event have come to fruition.
There is always a lot to cover when it comes to software updates, so we're compiling a story stream of the latest updates as they come.
After a bunch of complaints about misinformation in news notification summaries, Apple has made some updates to these AI powered snippets.
Way back when the iPhone 16 was announced, Apple also slid in that robot vacuum support would come to the Home app. This was supposed to happen in an earlier version of iOS 18, but is now allegedly coming in iOS 18.3 - for the US at least. Voice controls will only be available in US English for now.
Support requires a Matter enabled robot vacuum, and will include:
Apple released another sub-section of the iOS 18.1 update to protect users from malicious web content. iOS 18.1.1 is available for all iPhones from the XS - iPhone 16, and an iOS 17.7.2 update will supply this patch to models still running iOS 17. A similar update is available for iPad OS 18.
This update is recommended for all users.
More AI features have now landed with iOS 18.2. To access Apple Intelligence you'll need to have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or a new iPhone 16 model, plus you'll have to enable it. You'll find the option in Settings under Apple Intelligence.
Safari file downloads can now be tracked as a Live Activity using the Dynamic Island.
More Find My options have been added that include the option to share the location of an AirTag with anyone, even if they are not part of the Apple ecosystem. This sharing option is temporary, and will only last for a few hours before switching off.
Apple Intelligence features will slowly be rolling out over the course of iOS 18 updates, but the first lot arrive with iOS 18.1 These are only available on iPhone 16 models, and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max devices.
iPhone 16, and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users can now capture Spatial photos in the Spatial camera mode.
Live call transcriptions are now available through the Phone and Notes apps. To access these, users can press the record icon in the top left of the screen during any phone call. This triggers a vocal prompt to both people on the call that it is now being recorded. From here the call is recorded, and a transcription is created in the Notes app. Further notes can be written by users during the call, all to be stored in the same Notes doc.
The AirPods Pro 2 can be used as hearing aids. In iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a range of Hearing Health features accessible through these AirPods. They include a hearing test, and further options depending on the results. If no hearing loss is detected, then yay! If it is, then the AirPods Pro 2 can be used to isolate and boost the sound of human speech, tweak music, videos, and calls based on the results.
Users now have more options when it comes to personalising their Home screen and the Control Centre. On the Home screen, widgets and apps can be placed in any size and configuration, rather than the set patterns we used to see. They'll still need to snap into the grid, but it opens up far more possibilities. App icons can now also be tinted a different colour for a more cohesive look.
Control Centre is now more comprehensive, with space for more quick settings to be added. There are also three more pages available from the pull down menu; Music, Home, and Connectivity. While these menus can't be changed, their contents can be.
The Photos app redesign has proven to be quite controversial across the internet. Plenty of users are unhappy with the changes that include larger feature photos and carousels. There are also automatically created photo collections like Recent Days, People & Pets, Memories, Trips, and Featured Photos. Users can create custom Collections as well.
One of the lesser talked about (but most practical) inclusions is the Utilities section. This includes the usual locked Hidden and Recently Deleted folders, but also highlights Duplicate images, and categorises Receipts. Solid to have for tax time.
RCS support has been added to the Messages app, which allows for better texting between Apple and Android users. In theory this should make sending rich media like videos and photos a better experience, and enable read receipts. The problem however, is that no Australian telcos support RCS. So that part is a bit of a moot point here in Aus.
Apple users can now schedule messages, animate text and include custom emjois and stickers as reactions.
Live transcripts and audio recordings are now available in the Notes app. It can also complete basic maths equations and calculations.
Keychain is now the Passwords app and is available across not only Apple devices, but also Windows.
Apple Maps includes offline, topographic maps for hiking. With users able to create custom routes.
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