Apple Will Release iOS 18, macOS 15, iPadOS 18, Other Updates on September 16 9
Apple plans to release the next versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS to the general public on September 16, the company announced via its website following its iPhone-centric product event earlier today. From a report: We should also see updates for tvOS and the HomePod operating system on the same date. The new releases bring a number of new features and refinements to Apple's platforms: better texting with Android devices thanks to support for the RCS standard, iPhone Mirroring that allows you to interact with your iPhone via your Mac, more UI customization options for iPhones and iPads, and other improvements besides. What won't be included in these initial releases is any hint of Apple Intelligence, the batch of generative AI and machine learning features that Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Apple is testing some of the Apple Intelligence features in betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1, updates that will be released later this fall.
And for the first time ever (Score:2)
Apple will let you sideload app. Yeah!!!
Or not. Pass.
Meh features list (Score:2)
Apart from any changes to photos, none of the iOS 18 features look evenly remotely useful.
(Not a 12 year old with a bunch of 12 year olds pontificating and kicking people outside of the group because of 'wrong text message colors')
Did not see:
- Simpler color scheme
- Turn off all animations (some already there but needs much more turned off)
- High contrast color schemes with user selective colors (yellow on black, orange on black, lime green on black) and not the usual has to look like a variation of printed
Good news / Bad news (Score:4, Informative)
Good news: Finally, RCS support.
Bad news: Will probably make my aging iPhone 13 mini lag like it's full of lead, and chew through the battery faster than the former president with a McDonald's hamberder. Also, since all OS upgrades are a one-way trip with Apple due to cryptographic firmware signing, the only "fix" truly is to buy a new phone.
This is why I have a really difficult time getting excited about anything new from Apple. Sometime after the iPhone X it stopped feeling like they were genuinely improving the product and instead just saying "It's that time again, bend over and give us more money!" *sigh*
Re: (Score:2)
> instead just saying "It's that time again, bend over and give us more money!"
That's part of the allure of iPhone. You're in a club that doesn't include "poor losers".
Or jamokes or Deplorables, if you prefer, depending on your political clique.
It's not subtle if you talk to some users. Remember "Clubhouse" that was a huge fad before Twitter Spaces? What was it "worth", $4B?
Personally, I hang with the losers - they're way more fun.
Re: (Score:2)
Will probably make my aging iPhone 13 mini lag like it's full of lead, and chew through the battery faster than the former president with a McDonald's hamberder.
What? I'm using an 11 Pro and it runs fine. I did wipe and reinstall last year, it seemed to be getting a bit pokey before but it's still plenty zippy, and will run for two days of regular use between battery charges.
Re: (Score:2)
The 13 mini wasn't the best in the battery life department even when it was new. As it is, mine only makes it through the day when I have an opportunity to plug it in around midday. I really hate having to tote a power bank around with me, but that's probably what I'll end up doing.
Re: (Score:2)
I have a 12 mini and have to charge multiple times per day as a heavy user. I hate huge and heavy smartphones.
Re: (Score:2)
Sometime after the iPhone X it stopped feeling like they were genuinely improving the product
That recent? I've had trouble getting excited about phone hardware or software a good several years before that. There hasn't been a killer feature for phones since Android added multi-touch and iOS added a clipboard.
Re: (Score:2)
You don't need to upgrade iOS to major versions right away. Although, Apple does force users to upgrade to newer major version after a month or so if iPhone can run the newer version. :(