Hold onto your flip phones, folks! Apple’s iOS 18 is about to unleash a wave of nostalgia with the long-awaited return of T9 dialing. Yes, that’s right, the good ol’ “Text on 9 keys” technology is making a comeback on iPhones.
Now, before you start questioning my age (or yours), hear me out. T9 dialing might seem like a relic from a bygone era of flip phones and chunky keypads, but let’s be honest, it’s incredibly convenient.
T9: The OG of Predictive Text
Remember those pre-smartphone days when typing out a text message felt like a marathon? T9 swooped in like a superhero, allowing us to tap out words using just a numeric keypad. It was a marvel of its time, and now it’s back to grace our iPhones with its predictive prowess.
Android users have been enjoying T9 dialing for years, effortlessly finding contacts with a few taps on the number pad.But iPhone users? We’ve been left in the dust, forced to manually enter numbers or scroll through endless contact lists. It’s been a long, arduous journey, but iOS 18 is finally bringing T9 back into our lives.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re like me and still secretly yearn for the simplicity of those old flip phones,you’re in for a treat. But even if you’re a die-hard touchscreen fan, T9 dialing can be a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry or trying to dial one-handed.
Of course, iOS already has other ways to quickly dial contacts, like using Spotlight Search. But let’s face it, nothing beats the satisfying clickety-clack of a T9 keypad. It’s a nostalgic throwback that reminds us of simpler times, when phones were just for calling people and not for doomscrolling through social media.
So, embrace the T9 renaissance, my friends! iOS 18 is here to prove that even in a world of touchscreens and facial recognition, there’s still a place for good old-fashioned keypad magic. And who knows, maybe this is just the first step in a full-blown retro revival. Flip phone anyone?
