Apple is set to release a major update for its iPhone operating system, iOS 18, which is expected to be the largest software update in the history of the iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman shared this information in the subscriber-only Q&A section of his Power On newsletter.
The specifics of iOS 18's features have not been disclosed by Gurman, but he mentioned that more details will be shared in the future. However, there are a few changes that are already anticipated for the update. One of the expected features is the inclusion of support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), which is a messaging standard that will enhance communication between iPhones and Android devices.
Apple announced its intention to support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone in November 2023, with plans to implement it "later" in 2024. It is likely that this timeframe aligns with the launch of iOS 18. With RCS support, iPhone users will have the ability to send high-resolution photos and videos, receive read receipts and typing indicators, and participate in group chats with both Android and iPhone users.
Additionally, Apple is reported to be working on generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology. According to Gurman, this technology is expected to enhance the capabilities of Siri and the Messages app in terms of answering questions and auto-completing sentences. Apple is also exploring the integration of similar AI features into other apps such as Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Xcode.
Furthermore, The Information has revealed that Apple is planning to integrate large language models into Siri, enabling users to automate complex tasks with deeper integration into the Shortcuts app. This feature is expected to be part of an iPhone software update in 2024, which is likely to be iOS 18.
These are just a few of the rumored features that are expected to be included in iOS 18. More details about the update are expected to be unveiled soon.
