Prema izvještaju Marka Gurmna iz Bloomberga, Apple ima velike planove za iOS 18, koji bi mogao biti najveća softverska nadogradnja u povijesti iPhonea. Prema Gurmnu, novi operativni sistem se smatra jednim od najvećih ažuriranja iOS-a – ako ne i najvećim – u povijesti kompanije. Iako su detalji još uvijek ograničeni, postoje dvije nove funkcionalnosti koje bismo mogli očekivati. Prva je podrška za prelazno-platformski standard RCS, što će donijeti poboljšanja u default iskustvu slanja poruka između iPhonea i Android uređaja. Druga funkcionalnost je unaprijeđeni Siri, koji će koristiti tehnologiju generativne umjetne inteligencije kako bi poboljšao svoju sposobnost odgovaranja na pitanja i automatsko dovršavanje rečenica. Očekuje se da će iOS 18 biti lansiran u septembru, a prva beta verzija za programere bit će dostupna tokom Apple-ove godišnje konferencije razvijatelja WWDC u junu.
RCS Support
Introduction
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a cross-platform messaging standard that Apple announced it would support in the Messages app on the iPhone starting in 2024. With the introduction of RCS support in iOS 18, iPhone users can expect significant improvements to their messaging experience when communicating with Android devices.
Improvements to the messaging experience
RCS support brings several enhancements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. These improvements include:
- Higher-resolution photos and videos: Instead of compressed media files, users can now send and receive high-quality photos and videos, preserving their original resolution.
- Audio messages: RCS enables the exchange of audio messages, allowing users to send voice recordings directly within the Messages app.
- Typing indicators: Users will now see real-time typing indicators, providing a more interactive and responsive messaging experience.
- Read receipts: With RCS, both iPhone and Android users will have access to read receipts, indicating when their messages have been successfully delivered and read by the recipient.
- Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices: RCS supports messaging over Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless communication even when cellular service is limited.
- Improved group chats: iPhone users will have more control over group conversations that include Android users. They will be able to leave a group chat without impacting the conversation for others.
- Improved encryption: RCS offers enhanced encryption compared to traditional SMS, ensuring better security and privacy for all messages sent and received.
These features, which were previously available only in iMessage, will now be extended to the green bubbles in the Messages app, providing a more cohesive messaging experience across different platforms.
Features available with RCS support
RCS support in iOS 18 brings iPhone users closer to feature parity with their Android counterparts and enhances the messaging experience. By adopting the RCS standard, iPhone users will have access to a range of features that were previously limited to iMessage. Users can now enjoy features such as high-quality media sharing, audio messages, real-time typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, improved group chats, and enhanced encryption.
Furthermore, RCS support brings the Messages app on the iPhone closer to popular third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, which already offer many of these modern features. This integration not only bridges the gap between different messaging platforms but also ensures that iPhone users can communicate seamlessly with Android users without limitations.
RCS support in iOS 18 demonstrates Apple’s commitment to enhancing the messaging experience and providing users with innovative features and capabilities. With these improvements, iPhone users can stay connected with their friends, family, and colleagues in a more engaging and efficient manner.
Smarter Siri
Introduction
iOS 18 introduces advancements in Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, with the integration of generative AI technology. This technology aims to enhance how both Siri and the Messages app handle questions and auto-complete sentences. In addition to improving Siri’s capabilities, Apple has explored incorporating generative AI features into various other apps across its platforms, including Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Xcode.
Generative AI technology
Generative AI technology has been gaining popularity, and it has become a key area of advancement in the field of artificial intelligence and natural language processing. With generative AI, Siri can take on a more human-like conversational approach, providing users with more contextual and meaningful responses.
The introduction of generative AI technology in iOS 18 allows Siri to understand and respond to questions more effectively. By training Siri on large language models, Apple has equipped the virtual assistant with the ability to comprehend queries and generate accurate and helpful responses.
This advancement in AI technology not only enhances Siri’s capabilities but also improves the overall messaging experience within the Messages app. Users can expect more accurate auto-completion of sentences, making their messaging experience faster and more efficient.
Integration with Shortcuts app
In addition to its improved conversational abilities, Siri in iOS 18 will feature deeper integration with the Shortcuts app. This integration allows users to automate complex tasks using large language models, expanding the range of actions that can be performed with Siri.
The integration with the Shortcuts app enables users to create custom shortcuts that leverage the power of generative AI. By automating tasks and workflows through Siri, users can save time and increase productivity on their iPhones.
The combination of generative AI and the Shortcuts app opens up a world of possibilities for users to personalize and optimize their iPhone experience. Siri becomes a powerful tool for automating tasks, providing recommendations, and assisting users in various aspects of their daily lives.
Popularity of generative AI
Generative AI technology has gained significant attention and popularity in recent years. With the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a chatbot trained on large language models, the potential of generative AI for human-like interactions has become evident. Google and Microsoft have also ventured into this space, creating their own chatbots powered by generative AI.
This surge in popularity highlights the industry’s recognition of the value and potential of generative AI. By leveraging large language models, generative AI allows for more interactive and natural conversations, revolutionizing how virtual assistants and messaging apps interact with users.
As generative AI continues to evolve and improve, users can expect more personalized and intelligent interactions with Siri and other AI-powered features in iOS 18 and beyond. Apple’s adoption of this technology reaffirms its commitment to providing users with cutting-edge AI capabilities and enhancing their overall iPhone experience.
Release Date
iOS 18 release in September 2024
Apple has announced that iOS 18 will be released in September 2024, bringing with it a host of new features and improvements. This highly anticipated software update is expected to be one of the biggest iOS updates in the history of the iPhone, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
With iOS 18, users can look forward to enhanced messaging capabilities, thanks to the introduction of RCS support. The integration of RCS will bridge the gap between iPhone and Android users, providing a more unified messaging experience with improved features and functionalities.
Additionally, iOS 18 will introduce smarter Siri, powered by generative AI technology. Siri’s conversational abilities and integration with the Shortcuts app will be significantly improved, allowing users to automate tasks and receive more personalized and contextual responses.
First beta for developers at WWDC in June
Developers eager to get a taste of iOS 18 will have the opportunity to do so in June during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Apple typically releases the first beta version of its upcoming software updates at WWDC, giving developers early access to test and optimize their apps for the new operating system.
The release of the beta version allows developers to familiarize themselves with the new features, APIs, and capabilities of iOS 18, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration with their apps. This early access helps developers prepare their apps for the official release in September, allowing users to have a smooth transition to the new software update.
WWDC is a highly anticipated event for developers and technology enthusiasts, as it showcases the latest advancements in Apple’s software and hardware offerings. It serves as a platform for developers to learn, collaborate, and innovate, shaping the future of iOS and its ecosystem.
In conclusion, iOS 18 promises to be a significant software update for the iPhone, introducing RCS support for improved messaging capabilities and smarter Siri powered by generative AI technology. With an expected release in September 2024 and the first beta available to developers at WWDC in June, users can eagerly anticipate the enhanced features and functionalities that iOS 18 will bring to their iPhones.
