Apple announced iOS 18 with new customization options, updated Photos, and a game mode

During the main presentation at the WWDC conference, Apple announced the next version of its mobile operating system for the iPhone - iOS 18. Software Vice President Craig Federighi demonstrated a number of innovations. iOS 18 offers more options for customizing the main screen, which finally allows you to freely place application icons anywhere. In addition, the operating system has new tools for customizing the main screen. App icons now have a dark mode, and users can tint them to create a unique look. The Control Center has been redesigned, now it also has extensive customization options thanks to a new gallery. Developers can provide tools from their apps in the Control Center. Users can swipe to access other Control Center screens. Lock Screen controls can also be customized. The Messages app in iOS 18 will support RCS. This new standard will replace SMS as the standard communication protocol between Android and iOS devices. Users in Messages will also be able to react to any emoji, schedule message sending, format text in bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough. New text effects allow you to highlight words and phrases with automatic suggestions. Additionally, users will be able to send and receive messages via satellite connection. In the Mail app, emails can be automatically sorted into categories to help determine message priority. Maps have new topographic maps with a network of trails and hiking routes. In Wallet, the new Tap to Cash feature allows you to send money by holding phones together. The Photos app has been completely redesigned. It offers a unified view with a grid of photos at the top and a library organized by themes at the bottom. The grid of photos showcases the entire library. Users can use month and year views at the bottom, as well as a filter button that allows you to hide screen shots and sort in other ways. The space below the grid contains collections with the ability to view by themes such as time, people, memories, travels, and more. Recent Days section displays photos from the last few days, and things like receipt photos are automatically filtered. People and Pets now collects photos of groups of people. Collections can be edited or pinned. Swipe right from the grid, and you'll see a new carousel with Featured Photos and other favorite collections. This section automatically updates to show new images. iOS 18 introduced Game Mode for the first time on the iPhone. It minimizes background activity to maintain high frame rates, as well as provides better and faster interaction with AirPods and wireless gaming controllers. The first beta version of iOS 18 for developers is available today, and the public beta version will be released later. The official release of the new OS version is expected in the fall. Source: macrumors, The Verge