A collection of teenagers Apple Iphone’s. Photo via Ashley Ingebrigtsen
The Revamp of Siri
With the recent release of the iPhone 16, Apple released a new annual update. iOS 18 will upgrade old features and introduce new ones. The biggest addition will be upgrading Siri, the Apple virtual assistant introduced in 2010. Siri is getting an AI revamp, which will now be Apple Intelligence.
Siri helps Apple’s users with basic tasks on their devices, such as reading aloud calls, answering mathematical calculations and providing shortcuts to search engines. Refurbishing Siri with Apple Intelligence will enhance these capabilities further. Siri’s additions include providing writing tools, prioritizing notifications, and summarizing email and call transcripts.
Another AI-powered feature is Genmoji. Users can give AI a prompt, which then will generate an emoji specifically catered to the prompt. Apple Intelligence and Genmoji is available to the iPhone 15 Pro and all later models.
All Up For Change
Older devices are also receiving upgrades. The control center, used for quick access to frequently used settings, is now ready for personal customization. Apple also changed their icons, with unlimited coloring options to choose from across all apps. Users will also be able to resize their apps.
Texting with the new update will also allow for more creativity. Bold, underline, italics and strikethrough are now available through iMessage. Reacting to texts will also change, letting users react to messages with any emoji they would like.
iOS 15 welcomed the SharePlay feature, letting users share their device’s screen with others on FaceTime. Additionally, iOS 18 enhances this feature by allowing users to request control through SharePlay on their devices.
Safety in both the virtual and real world are important issues. Both of these problems are addressed by the update, not only by keeping privacy and security up to date, but adding a password app. Users’ passwords will be organized securely for each organization they are registered with.
Beta testing for iOS 18 is available for those who are eligible. iPhone XR and all newer models are compatible with this update. Users who own the new iPhone 16 will receive the fullest of this update, complete with Apple Intelligence.
