Apple’s alleged plans for its future iOS 18 upgrade are the latest chatter around the company’s ongoing efforts to outdo each other with novel features in the quickly changing world of smartphone technology.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Cupertino-based company is preparing to release what might be the “biggest” update in the history of iPhones.
In the Q&A part of the Power On newsletter, Gurman hinted at something intriguing, but he refrained from disclosing any specifics. “I’m told that the new operating system is seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company’s history,” he wrote, leaving expectant iPhone enthusiasts guessing what Apple may have in store.
The long-awaited support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), which Apple revealed in November 2023, is one verified feature. This functionality, which will begin with iOS 18, promises to improve iPhone customers’ messaging experiences by providing perks such as higher-resolution images and videos, voice messages, read receipts, and stronger encryption.
The AI-powered Siri in iOS 18 is another much-awaited feature. According to a Financial Times story, Morgan Stanley analysts believe that the update will push generative AI to the forefront, potentially altering Siri with the inclusion of Large Language Models (LLMs). This move is consistent with the broader industry trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into smartphone features.
Gurman continued by speculating that Craig Federighi and his colleagues at Apple are actively investigating methods to incorporate generative AI capabilities into several areas of iOS 18. For example, there are rumors that Apple Music will receive auto-generated playlists, while productivity apps such as Keynote or Pages may offer a function that automatically builds slide decks. The business is also reported to be focusing on improving AppleCare with generative AI, which might streamline customer assistance processes.
