Apple will 'revamp' built-in notes, mail, and photos apps in iOS 18 - Mark Gurman

Earlier, there were rumors that "Notes" in iOS 18 will support displaying a greater number of mathematical equations and an embedded option for recording voice reminders, but information about updates for Mail, Photos, and Fitness became known for the first time - from Mark Gurman's report from Bloomberg.

Gurman also confirmed that Apple plans to launch the "Calculator" app for iPadOS 18.

Here is everything known about the application updates in iOS 18:

• Smarter Siri: Rumor has it that iOS 18 will include new AI generative features for Siri, Spotlight Search, Commands, Apple Music, Messages, as well as for Health, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and the like programs. It is expected that these features will work based on Apple's large language model (LLM) on the device, but the company has also reportedly discussed partnering with companies such as Google, OpenAI, and Baidu.
• Home Screen Customization: One of the design changes for iOS 18 is likely to be more home screen customization options, including the ability to place app icons anywhere on the home screen grid.
• Improved text messaging for Android users: Apple announced that it will support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone "later" in 2024, so it is likely to be a feature of iOS 18. Compared to SMS, RCS support will enhance the messaging experience between iOS and Android devices, allowing for sending higher resolution photos and videos, supporting voice messages, text input indicators, read notifications, message exchange over Wi-Fi, and the like.
• Calculator Update: It is expected that iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 will receive an updated "Calculator" app with several new features, including a sidebar with a list of recent calculations, an improved interface for unit conversions, integration with the Notes app, and so on. Yes, this means that Apple will finally make its Calculator app available for the iPad.
• Math in Notes app: It is expected that with iOS 18, Notes will receive support for displaying mathematical equations, allowing for including more types of algebraic equations and formulas.
• Custom Routes in Apple Maps: It is expected that iOS 18 will introduce at least two new features in Apple Maps, including custom routes and topographic maps. Custom routes will allow users to choose specific roads for travel during navigation, while topographic maps will include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking and other recreational activities. Apple has already introduced topographic maps on the Apple Watch with watchOS 10.
• Assistant in Safari browser: Another new generative AI feature potentially coming to iOS 18 is an assistant in Safari, but specific details are currently unknown. There are already several web browsers for the iPhone with AI tools, such as Microsoft Edge and its GPT-4-based Copilot, as well as Arc Search, which can summarize web pages.
• AirPods Pro as hearing aid: It is reported that iOS 18 will include a so-called "hearing aid mode" for AirPods Pro, but it is unclear how it will differ from the existing Apple Conversation Boost feature, which was launched in 2021.
• Next-generation CarPlay: Apple's website states that the first cars with the next-generation CarPlay will appear in 2024, so the platform may debut together with iOS 18 later this year. However, it is also possible that the next-generation CarPlay will be compatible with some versions of iOS 17.
• Freeform Scenes: Rumor has it that iOS 18 will add a new "Scenes" option to Apple's Freeform drawing app. This feature will allow users to select specific sections or "scenes" on the canvas for easier navigation.

Apple will announce iOS 18 at WWDC on June 10 and likely roll out the update widely in September.