The Good
- Enhanced Personalisation:
- iOS 18 introduces more ways to customise your home screen, allowing users to reposition apps and change app icon colours. This added flexibility helps users create a more personalised and aesthetically pleasing interface.
- Improved Privacy:
- With new privacy features, users can hide apps and lock them in a hidden folder, offering enhanced privacy when sharing devices. This is especially beneficial for users who have sensitive information or apps they prefer to keep private.
- Advanced Messaging Features:
- The ability to schedule messages, use emojis and stickers for reactions, and format text within messages adds a new level of convenience and expression. This makes communication more versatile and enjoyable.
- Satellite Messaging:
- The inclusion of satellite messaging ensures users can stay connected even without WiFi or cellular service, which can be crucial during emergencies or in remote areas.
- Organised Email Inbox:
- The new mail app categorises emails into different sections, helping users manage their inbox more efficiently. This feature simplifies email organisation, making it easier to find important messages quickly.
- Photos App Overhaul:
- The redesigned Photos app offers a more intuitive browsing experience with a single view and thematic organisation. Filtering out screenshots from the main view helps users focus on their meaningful photos.
The Bad
- Potential Bugs and Glitches:
- As the iOS 18 beta is still under development, users might encounter bugs and glitches. This can be frustrating and may affect the usability of essential features.
- Privacy Concerns:
- While new privacy features are introduced, the initial stages might have vulnerabilities that could expose users to potential risks until fully patched and secured.
- Learning Curve:
- With significant changes in customisation and new features, users might face a learning curve to adapt to the new interface and functionalities. This could be time-consuming and inconvenient for some users.
- Battery Drain:
- Beta versions often have unoptimised software that can lead to increased battery consumption. Users might experience shorter battery life, which could be problematic for daily usage.
- App Compatibility Issues:
- Some third-party apps might not be fully compatible with the new operating system, leading to crashes or malfunctions. This can disrupt the user’s workflow and productivity.
- Incomplete Feature Set:
- Not all expected features, like Apple Intelligence, are available in the beta version. This partial rollout can lead to disappointment among users who were looking forward to exploring the complete set of new features.
The Gist
Apple has unveiled a beta version of iOS 18, offering a sneak peek at the latest operating system for iPhones and other devices. This preview introduces several new features, although some, like Apple Intelligence, are not yet available. Users can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program to test the new OS but should be prepared for potential bugs and glitches typical of beta versions.
Key features of iOS 18 include enhanced home screen customisation, allowing users to reposition apps and change app icon colours. Privacy functions have been improved, enabling users to hide and lock certain apps. The messaging app now supports scheduling messages, using emojis and stickers for reactions, and text formatting. Satellite messaging is also introduced, allowing users to send messages without WiFi or cellular service.
The mail app has been upgraded to categorise emails into four sections, making inbox management more efficient. The Photos app has undergone a significant redesign, providing a single view for browsing photos and filtering out screenshots.
While these features offer many benefits, users may encounter issues typical of beta software, such as bugs, glitches, and increased battery consumption. Additionally, there may be a learning curve to adapt to the new interface and functionalities.
The Take
Apple has once again set the tech world abuzz with the release of the iOS 18 beta, giving both developers and some consumers an early look at what promises to be a significant update to its operating system. While the full suite of features is not yet available in this beta version, the enhancements on display already suggest a user-centric evolution designed to increase personalisation, privacy, and overall user experience.
Customisation Galore
One of the standout features in iOS 18 is the enhanced ability to customise the home screen. Apple users have long enjoyed the capability to set personal wallpapers, but the new system takes it a step further. Now, apps can be repositioned to different parts of the screen, allowing users to better showcase their chosen background images. This added flexibility means that users can have a cleaner, more personalised look for their home screens, reflecting their style and preferences more accurately.
Moreover, the ability to change the colour of app icons adds another layer of personalisation. Users can adjust the shades to their liking, creating a cohesive and visually appealing home screen. This feature, as highlighted by Craig Federighi during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, opens up endless possibilities for making the iPhone truly one’s own.
Privacy Enhancements
In an age where digital privacy is a growing concern, iOS 18 introduces new privacy functions that offer more control over app visibility. Users can now lock certain apps, preventing others from accessing sensitive information when they share their devices. Additionally, the ability to hide apps in a locked folder ensures that private applications remain out of sight. These enhancements are particularly useful for individuals who handle sensitive data on their devices, providing peace of mind and an extra layer of security.
Advanced Messaging Features
Messaging on iOS 18 becomes more dynamic and flexible with several new features. The ability to schedule messages is a long-awaited addition that mirrors the functionality found in many email clients. This is particularly useful for sending timely messages, such as birthday wishes or reminders, without needing to remember to do so in real-time.
The expanded range of reactions in messaging, now including emojis and stickers, allows for more expressive and personalised communication. Users can react to messages in ways that better reflect their feelings, adding a fun and interactive element to conversations.
Moreover, the introduction of satellite messaging is a game-changer. In situations where WiFi or cellular service is unavailable, users can still send messages, ensuring they remain connected in remote areas or during emergencies. This feature underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and ensuring users can communicate under all circumstances.
Organised Email and Redesigned Photos App
Email management gets a significant boost with the new capabilities in the mail app. By categorising emails into primary, transactions, newsletters, and promotions sections, iOS 18 helps users keep their inboxes organised and clutter-free. This organisation makes it easier to navigate and find important emails quickly, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
The Photos app has also seen a substantial redesign. The new interface provides a single view for browsing photos, with a grid at the top of the screen and a library at the bottom organised by themes such as people, favourite memories, or trips. This thematic organisation makes it easier to locate specific photos and enjoy browsing through collections of memories. Additionally, the ability to filter out screenshots ensures that the photo library remains focused on meaningful images rather than cluttered with accidental captures.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the exciting new features, users should approach the iOS 18 beta with some caution. As with any beta software, there are potential bugs and glitches that could impact usability. Early adopters might experience issues that could disrupt their daily use of the device. Additionally, beta versions often have higher battery consumption due to unoptimised software, which could be inconvenient for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
There is also the matter of a learning curve. With new features and customisation options, users might need some time to adjust to the changes and fully utilise the new capabilities. This could be a minor inconvenience, especially for those who prefer the familiarity of the existing interface.
Conclusion
The iOS 18 beta offers a promising glimpse into the future of Apple’s operating system. With enhanced customisation, improved privacy features, advanced messaging capabilities, and a redesigned Photos app, iOS 18 is set to provide a more personalised and user-friendly experience. While there are challenges typical of beta software, the new features and improvements highlight Apple’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. As the official release approaches, users can look forward to a more dynamic and secure iOS environment.
