IOS 18 has been released with desktop customization, RCS, but without AI – the update is already available for all compatible iPhones

Apple has released iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 with many new features for iPhone and iPad. One of the important changes in iOS is support for the RCS protocol for exchanging messages, including photos and videos in high resolution, with Android users. And the iPad will finally get the long-awaited calculator.

Image Source: Apple

The RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging protocol offers more advanced capabilities than traditional SMS. With RCS, iPhone and Android users will be able to share high-quality photos and videos and see typing indicators. However, messages from Android users will still be marked with a green bubble. In addition to RCS, The Verge reports that iOS 18 introduces new text effects and formatting options in iMessage, the ability to schedule messages, and a feature for sending messages via satellite.

The iPhone home screen with the new iOS has received expanded personalization options. Users will be able to change the location, size and color of app icons and widgets on the home screen, and will also have more options to customize the lock screen. Additionally, the Photos app has received a significant design update.

Image Source: Apple

It is now possible to control smart devices that support the Matter standard locally through the Home application without the need to use a home hub. However, devices on the Thread network will require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Interestingly, the Home app will now allow you to give guests access to locks, gates and alarm systems. There is also a new way to unlock doors without having to take out your phone, but this cannot yet be implemented, since there are no Smart locks that support this function yet.

Note that the new artificial intelligence-based features announced by Apple will appear only in iOS 18.1 in October as part of a public beta version. Apple will introduce tools for working with text, generating images using the Image Playground, and interacting with a more advanced Siri. Initially, Apple Intelligence will be available only in the United States, by the end of the year it will appear in a number of English-speaking countries, and next year it will expand its geography.

As for iPadOS 18, this update will finally bring the Calculator app to the iPad after more than a decade without it. And “Notes” has learned to solve mathematical problems, and it will understand not only numbers and signs, but also graphs and diagrams. There are also many other useful changes coming to the iPad, including more options for customizing the home screen, an updated tab bar and a redesigned Control Center. Apple Intelligence features will come to iPad, but later.

You can download the update to your iPhone or iPad by going to “Settings” – “General” – “Software Update” and then follow the instructions for installing iOS 18. The new operating system is available for all iPhones starting with the iPhone XS. The full list can be found here.