Home screen personalization and Apple Intelligence features are frequently highlighted while talking about the anticipated iOS 18 upgrade. But iOS 18’s plethora of productivity improvements is perhaps one of its most important—if subtle—features. The iPhone will become an even more potent instrument for handling personal and professional duties thanks to these features, which are intended to simplify daily tasks and increase efficiency.
One of the key improvements in iOS 18 is the new Highlights feature in Safari. This functionality identifies and showcases relevant information as you browse, providing contextual details directly within the web page. For instance, when visiting a restaurant’s website, Safari can automatically display a map with the restaurant’s location, along with buttons for directions or calling. This feature extends beyond just restaurants, offering insights on people, music, movies, and TV shows. This integration aims to save users time and make browsing more intuitive and informative.
Another significant enhancement is the integration of Reminders with the Calendar app. This feature allows users to create reminders directly within the Calendar, using the same method as scheduling an appointment or event. The integration is bi-directional, meaning tasks from Reminders will appear in Calendar on their due date, and Calendar events will show up in Reminders. This seamless sync ensures that users never miss a task, regardless of which app they prefer to use, thereby enhancing productivity and task management.
The Notes app also sees substantial upgrades in iOS 18. It now includes an integrated recorder app, eliminating the need to switch to the Voice Memos app for recording purposes. More impressively, Notes can transcribe audio recordings in real-time, allowing users to search for specific words or phrases within the transcription. This feature is particularly useful for meetings, lectures, and interviews, making it easier to organize and review spoken content. However, it requires an iPhone 12 or later to function.
iOS 18 also introduces the ability to record and transcribe phone calls. This feature, available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, and more, is integrated directly into the Phone app. It provides users with a transcript of their phone calls, which can be invaluable for record-keeping and reference purposes, especially in professional contexts.
The Notes app further benefits from its integration with the Calculator app, introducing a feature known as Math Notes. This allows users to input mathematical formulas directly into their notes and receive automatic solutions. On iPads, this feature supports handwriting recognition, enabling users to sketch formulas and see the solutions in what appears to be their own handwriting. While this is more challenging on the smaller screen of an iPhone, it still provides a valuable tool for students, professionals, and anyone needing to perform calculations on the go.
Scheduled text messages in the Messages app represent another productivity boost. This feature allows users to compose texts and schedule them to be sent at a later time. This can be particularly useful for sending timely reminders or messages when it’s inconvenient to send them immediately. The Send Later command is conveniently located in the same menu as other messaging features, making it easy to access and use.
A notable addition in iOS 18 is the new Passwords app, which builds on the capabilities of Keychain. This app provides a centralized location to store and manage passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes. With robust search tools and the ability to filter accounts by various criteria, Passwords aims to simplify the often cumbersome task of managing multiple credentials. Moreover, it works across all Apple platforms, ensuring that your passwords are synchronized and accessible from any device.
Privacy and security settings in iOS 18 also receive a redesign. The new interface provides users with greater control over their data, allowing them to manage which apps can access their information, location, camera, and microphone. This enhanced control is part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to user privacy and security, making it easier for users to protect their personal information.
Finally, the Mail app in iOS 18 will feature categorized inboxes, though this update will arrive slightly later than others. Leveraging machine learning, Mail will automatically sort emails into categories such as Primary, Transactions, Promotions, and Updates. This categorization helps users prioritize their emails and manage their inbox more efficiently. Users will also have the option to teach Mail to reassign messages to the correct category, improving the accuracy of the sorting over time.
Beyond the features that draw the most attention, iOS 18 offers a plethora of productivity improvements. With features like integrated calendar entries and reminders for easier task management and more intelligent browsing with Safari Highlights, these enhancements aim to improve the efficiency of everyday chores. Apple has demonstrated its dedication to improving user productivity with the release of new apps like Passwords and updates to long-standing ones like Notes and Mail. iPhone owners should anticipate a host of tools that will make managing their digital life simpler and more effective as the public beta of iOS 18 rolls out and the final release draws near.
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