We are quickly approaching the WWDC 2024, already announced for June 10th, and therefore we are quickly approaching iOS 18. The rest of Apple’s operating systems would also receive updates, but those destined for the iPhone are always the ones that attract the most attention.
The truth is that we know very little about what can come with iOS 18, beyond the whole AI topic, but what we can do is write our letter to the kings of Apple Park. Based on improvements we have already seen in the past, rumors, assumptions, and also simple ideas and proposals, allow me to tell you what I would like to see in iOS 18.
AI at the service of our Health
The Health app is a truly powerful tool for monitoring various aspects of our health. Lots of information, but perhaps too little context. Is my resting heart rate high or low for my age? Am I in the average range of breaths per minute? Does coffee consumption have anything to do with my HRV?
Using artificial intelligence to provide explanations, reference values, and deep analysis not only of individual metrics but also of multiple related metrics could offer us a much, much clearer view of our overall well-being. A system of customized recommendations, advice, and contextual analysis that adds more and more value to a lot of data that too often doesn’t make sense in isolation.
Something, I must say, in which Apple has been advancing for years — for example with trends or certain metrics like Cardio Fitness, where it provides reference values — and that now with iOS 18 and all the rumors about AI could take a big step forward.
Interactive widgets on the home screen, and customizable buttons
A classic section. The home screen of our iPhones is the first thing we see when unlocking our devices. Nowadays, despite the improvements in the latest versions, there is always room for more flexibility in terms of customization.
In iOS 18 we could see the arrival of more interactive widgets, similar to the ones we can already place on the iPhone’s home screen. Also the possibility to customize which functions activate the two buttons at the bottom of the screen, currently dedicated to the flashlight and the camera. Especially the latter, as the gesture of swiping the lock screen to the left already allows us quick access to taking photos or videos.
SplitView, but on the iPhone
The larger models of iPhone, such as the iPhone Pro Max, offer us a wide screen space that could be used with a multitasking mode. The iPad’s SplitView would fit on larger iPhones, especially now that their screens will grow a few millimeters with the iPhone 16 Pro.
A function that could be really useful in various circumstances and that already has part of its code, design, and functionality implemented in functions like Screen Sharing via SharePlay and Picture-in-Picture mode for video playback.
More control over our privacy and improvements in iCloud Private Relay
I admit it, my recurring desire since Apple launched iCloud Private Relay. The one that can be described as Apple’s VPN, although it is much more secure and its technical implementation is different, currently only covers browsing through Safari.
With iOS 18, this protection, which masks our IP address and makes our traffic invisible to carriers, could expand to the rest of the system. Similarly, greater control over app connections would be more than welcome. Right now, we can see which domains apps connect to, but I would love to see that, just like Apple implemented an ad-blocking mode in Safari through third-party apps, now we could prevent certain connections for certain apps.
Siri as a universal assistant and Spotlight as its written interface
Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, has significantly improved over the years, but there is still room for growth. Rumors are already pointing to a transcendental change with iOS 18, and personally, I would like to clarify it.
I love talking to Siri, but sometimes we need a more discreet interaction. I think Spotlight could be that middle ground. A place where we can not only search for our files, photos, or reminders, but also schedule an event in the calendar, talk to something similar to ChatGPT, and more. A window to a written Siri that, with the improvements and capabilities promised to gain with this update, could be more omnipresent than ever. Oh, and also a method to access Spotlight from any app, perhaps by swiping down from the top left of the screen —reserving the center for the Notification Center and the right side for the Control Center—.
iOS 18 has the potential to be a truly revolutionary update for the iPhone. Rumors suggest that even at Apple they are calling it the most important iPhone update since its launch. While we wait for its arrival, it’s a good time to brainstorm ideas.
