Apple has released the second beta versions of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18 to developers, two weeks after the initial betas were introduced at WWDC 2024. These updates bring a wave of new features and enhancements designed to improve the user experience across Apple’s ecosystem. Here’s a closer look at some of the highlights:
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
- Apple Intelligence: A suite of AI features built into the core of the operating system. While still under development, Apple Intelligence promises to refine and edit writing, generate images and emoji, and significantly improve Siri and search. Siri will gain a better understanding of natural language and context, and will integrate with ChatGPT to answer more complex queries. However, it’s important to note that Apple Intelligence features are currently limited to iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with M-series chips.
- Home Screen and Lock Screen Customization: Users can now rearrange Home screen apps to create open spaces, add widgets, and even choose a dark mode for app icons with tinting options. The Lock Screen receives similar treatment, with the ability to replace or remove the Flashlight and Camera icons for a more personalized look.
- Enhanced Messages: Apple is bringing Rich Communication Services (RCS) support to Messages, allowing for improved group chats and media sharing with Android users. Additionally, users can now schedule texts to be sent later, add new text effects, send messages over satellite in cellular-less areas, and even use any emoji for Tapback responses.
- Improved Security and Organization: A dedicated Passwords app now stores logins, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes in a secure and centralized location. Users can also lock and hide apps, requiring secondary Face ID or Touch ID authentication even when their phone is unlocked for an extra layer of protection.
- Safari and Photos Revamps: Safari gains a highlights feature that summarizes articles and surfaces key information on websites, while the Photos app receives a complete interface overhaul.
- Other Notable Features: Notes gains equation solving and voice memo transcription capabilities, a game mode is available to optimize performance during gameplay, and users can now respond to Siri on AirPods with head gestures.
macOS 15 Sequoia
- iPhone Mirroring: Control your locked iPhone from your Mac, open and use iPhone apps, interact with notifications, and drag and drop files between devices.
- Enhanced Window Management: New window tiling options and suggested tiled locations make it easier to use multiple apps simultaneously.
- Passwords App: A dedicated app for managing passwords, similar to the one introduced in iOS 18.
- Safari Improvements: Safari gains website summarization capabilities and highlights key information, just like its iOS counterpart.
- Notes Enhancements: Notes now supports live audio transcription and math equations, bringing it in line with the features found in iOS 18.
- Apple Intelligence: All of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 will also be available in macOS Sequoia, including Writing Tools and Image Playground, but they will be added later in the beta testing process. Siri on macOS will also become smarter and more capable.
watchOS 11
- Vitals App: A new app that aggregates health metrics collected during sleep, like heart rate and respiratory rate, for better health tracking.
- Training Load: Monitors workout intensity and its impact on the body over time.
- Updated Smart Stack: New widgets, Live Activities and Translate support, and better suggestions based on time and routine.
- Photos Watch Face: Suggests the best images to use.
- Check In Safety Feature: Now works with Workouts.
- Activity Rings Customization: Set daily goals and pause for rest days without losing streak.
- Double Tap Navigation: Navigate apps with one hand.
- Apple Maps Route Creation: Create custom walking and hiking routes.
tvOS 18
- InSight Feature: Provides real-time information about actors, music, and more in Apple TV+ shows and music.
- Enhanced Dialogue: Improved machine learning and computational audio for better vocal clarity over background noise and music, available on built-in TV speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices.
- Automatic Subtitles: Subtitles now appear automatically when the TV’s volume is muted, a show or movie is rewound, or the language of a show doesn’t match the device language.
- Additional Features: 21:9 aspect ratio support for projectors, new screen savers and improved controls for swapping screen savers, and support for Live Captions during FaceTime calls through an iPhone or iPad.
Currently, the betas are available exclusively to registered developers, but Apple plans to release public betas for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18 in July. The official launch of all five operating systems is expected in the fall.
