Apple used the opening of WWDC 2024 to properly unveil the operating systems of the future for its various devices. These OSes will rely heavily on all the new Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence features, but they can’t be reduced to just that aspect. So, let’s find out what iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia will consist of.
Read more about Apple’s new product launches here.
iOS 18 personalization
A few days ago, a secret was revealed: the next iPhone update will give us many more options to personalize the home screen. For those who use Android smartphones, it’s almost comical, but until now it was impossible to leave blank spaces on the iPhone home screen. In iOS 18, you’ll finally be able to arrange your apps as you see fit. The two shortcuts available by long-press from the lock screen (flashlight and camera) can be replaced in the same way. There’s also a private apps folder, accessible only after authenticating with Face ID. Dark mode will also change the background of app icons to black, and everyone will be able to choose their own color for this mode.
The Control Center will also get an update. Various elements can be rearranged, enlarged or reduced in size, and there are now several “pages” that provide easier access to various functions. The Photos app has undergone a major redesign. It will be presented in a grid format, but is enhanced with new collections of memories that can be pinned and updated regularly, as well as new animations that emphasize the content.
According to Apple’s statements, the Messages app now supports the RCS exchange protocol for greater security when communicating with Android users. At the same time, there are many new ways to interact and react to messages, including fun dynamic animations. Messages can now also use the satellite network to send text messages when the network is very weak or non-existent (iPhone 15 and later only).
Finally, Safari now has a content summary feature with a new reader, the Mail app makes it easier to categorize emails, and there’s a dedicated Passwords app.
MacOS Sequoia and beyond: what can we expect?
We’re entering another big year for Macs. The main innovation of macOS Sequoia will be the ability for you to completely duplicate the iPhone screen wirelessly. This feature is coupled with the unification of notifications between Mac and iPhone. Simply put: if you receive a notification on your iPhone, but it’s out of range, for example, it will also appear on your Mac. If you tap on it, the iPhone screen appears right on the desktop, allowing us to naturally interact with everything on the phone without leaving the iPhone lock screen.
This feature goes even further, allowing us to drag and drop files from the Mac’s hard drive to an application open on the iPhone. A feature borrowed from Windows: if you drag a window to the edge of the screen, macOS offers a presentation. This feature makes it easier to arrange multiple apps on the Mac screen to optimize free space. In addition, macOS has updated Safari (including artificial intelligence summaries), introduced the ability to preview before sharing a window during a video conference, introduced a native Passwords app (including on Windows via the iCloud app), and announced that the next Assassin’s Creed: Shadows game will be released on macOS on November 15, 2024.
MacOS Sequoia will be released this fall and can be installed on the following devices:
- Mac: 2019 and later
- iMac Pro: 2017 and later
- MacBook Air: 2020 and later
- MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
- Mac Studio: 2022 and later
- Mac mini: 2018 and later
- Mac Pro: 2019 and later