iOS 18 Speculation Thread

[cbreze]

Sorry about the paywalled article. Forgot about that. Here’s the part you referred to

Hopefully most of the features will be usable on-device.

That sux, sounds like my 13 will get left out. I guess apples wants us to upgrade. typical

 

[Kal Madda]

As I said, I hope you guys are right. I’m typing this right now on my M2 11” iPad Pro. I would love to be able to use this device for more than simply forum browsing and video watching.

And I don’t disagree that Apple has grudgingly provided some more laptop-like features in recent years. But its still painful to use for document-type work. The Files app, as you mentioned, is not good. In fact, its awful. No smart search. Limited Quick Actions. Etc…. I hate using it. iCloud Drive is much better than it used to be but still feels like an amateur effort vs Google Drive and MS OneDrive.

If Apple is going to make a move in the direction you suggest, I’d say its quite possible it may not be this year. They are consumed, it would appear, with getting AI embedded into iOS, which has to have been a titanic effort. So it might happen next year, as things with iPadOS tend to follow a year after their introduction with iOS.

So, if they haven’t done it by WWDC 2025, I’d say its ever going to happen.

I know some people don’t like the Files app, but personally, I like it. I don’t know where I mentioned it being not good. I do think it could use some improvements, but I wouldn’t say it’s currently awful. 👍🏻

And that is a fair point about AI, but I do think some of these changes will be directly tied to the AI push. It seems like Apple is also going to be converting several Mac apps over to a shared Swift code base, and if they do, it seems plausible that would also bridge the small feature gaps in some of their system apps between macOS and iPadOS. For example, one of the main feature differences between Photos on iPadOS and Photos on macOS (at least that I’ve been able to find) is the heal brush, and as an AI feature, that’s rumored to be coming to iOS and iPadOS as well. Depending on how it’s implemented, I think that AI could actually unlock a lot more macOS level functionality.

For me, I have completely replaced my laptop with an iPad Pro with the current version of iPadOS. I still technically have an old MacBook, but I never use it, it’s in storage. I now have my iPad Pro, and then a Mac Mini that I use occasionally. But all of my main workflow works on my iPad. My workflow includes professional graphic design, 3D modeling/sculpting, and writing. I also do some video editing and audio editing, and I occasionally dabble with some coding. I understand that not everyone can do this yet, but I think that is a testament to how far iPadOS has come. Just the difference between iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 17 is tremendous. So I think Apple has been making steady progress in that direction, and I hope they will at the very least match the progress they’ve made with 17 with 18. But something tells me it will be more like an iPadOS 16 level update. I could be wrong, and I understand why people are skeptical, but I do think big changes may be coming. 👍🏻

 

[Realityck]

I disagree. I think Apple has decided that the iPad is what it is. For years now, they’ve given it way more power than it needs for whatever the current iteration of iPadOS is. And every time the tech bloggers and podcasters say “this is the year!”, but it never is.

Agreed. After the last 3 years of iPadOS general UI not significantly changing along without the various 3rd party iteration App UI adhering to a more rigid model like MacOS utilizes it seems like Apple is indeed happy with it’s current iPadOS iteration. They need a stable baseline to implement both the new EU DMA stuff as well as the grouping of reminders in Calendar as well as AI summaries related to spotlight/search/Siri/Safari as examples. Why experiment with the UI main elements with AI preview? AI should be about improving navigation and interaction/usage of iPadOS 18 first IMHO. Same for iOS. Then once this AI preview process is wrapped up then tackle some other aspects of both OS’s. 😉

 

[Kal Madda]

Agreed. After the last 3 years of iPadOS general UI not significantly changing along without the various 3rd party iteration App UI adhering to a more rigid model like MacOS utilizes it seems like Apple is indeed happy with it’s current iPadOS iteration. They need a stable baseline to implement both the new EU DMA stuff as well as the grouping of reminders in Calendar as well as AI summaries related to spotlight/search/Siri/Safari as examples. Why experiment with the UI main elements with AI preview? AI should be about improving navigation and interaction/usage of iPadOS 18 first IMHO. Same for iOS. Then once this AI preview process is wrapped up then tackle some other aspects of both OS’s. 😉

Do you not think Stage Manager was a significant general UI change? Also, I think Apple is encouraging third party apps to adopt a more standardized UI with Swift. But I also think a lot of the seeming app UI uniformity in macOS is in part due to the Menu Bar. Technically iPadOS already has a Menu Bar, it’s just not displayed, but has to be surfaced with a hold-press of the CMD key. Something like a hybrid between Dynamic Island and the macOS Menu Bar could potentially create more uniformity in interaction across different iPadOS apps. Most of the pieces are already in place for something like this, so I think it’s quite possible Apple could implement something like that. Also, this new “Dynamic Menu” could be integrated with quick to access Siri Shortcuts or actions, which could be part of the AI integration.

 

[gwhizkids]

Here what ChatGPT “thinks” would be helpful for Siri to improve. Will see if this is inside baseball or simply an educated guess

While I don't have direct influence over Siri's development, I can certainly provide insights and suggestions that could be useful for enhancing virtual assistants like Siri. Here are a few ideas that could improve Siri's functionality:

1. **Enhanced Natural Language Processing (NLP)**: Improving NLP capabilities would help Siri understand and respond to more complex and nuanced queries accurately.
2. **Context Awareness**: Developing better context awareness would allow Siri to maintain context over longer conversations and provide more relevant responses.
3. **Third-Party Integration**: Expanding integration with third-party apps and services would increase Siri's utility in everyday tasks.
4. **Customization**: Allowing users to customize Siri's responses and personality could make interactions more engaging and personalized.
5. **Proactive Assistance**: Making Siri more proactive in offering suggestions and reminders based on user behavior and preferences could enhance its usefulness.

These improvements could make Siri an even more powerful and versatile assistant for Apple users.

 

[Paddle1]

I'm curious how receiving RCS messages will sync and interact with devices that aren't on iOS 18. Will they just not appear? Maybe get converted?

 

[Realityck]

Do you not think Stage Manager was a significant general UI change?

Not when it illustrates the lack of minimum RAM and storage standards with most iPads deployed by consumers.

Feature availability is usually limited by system hardware - CPU and available RAM being critical to advanced functionality such as Stage Manager.

The new Stage Manager feature was originally being developed for iPad models with an M1 SoC/CPU, but was later extended to include iPad models with A12X CPUs. As such, this feature is available for these models of iPad:

• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
• Pad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)

In comparison Macs have been deployed with 8GB RAM/256GB storage since I believe 2012.
Also comparing Recent iPhones
iPhone 12 4/6 GB RAM, 64/128 GB storage
iPhone 13 4/6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 14 6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 15 6/8 GB RAM, 128GB storage

 

[gwhizkids]

I'm curious how receiving RCS messages will sync and interact with devices that aren't on iOS 18. Will they just not appear? Maybe get converted?

I would imagine that users not on ios 18 will simply not see the messages or see them only in a “degraded” SMS version (if that’s how it happens now).

 

[UliBaer]

Sorry about the paywalled article. Forgot about that. Here’s the part you referred to

Hopefully most of the features will be usable on-device.

Sounds good to me, so my 12 pro battery life will not be impacted too much by iOS 18.
...also no urge to update too soon. 😉

 

[Paddle1]

Not when is illustrates the lack of minimum RAM and storage standards with most iPads deployed by consumers.

The new Stage Manager feature was originally being developed for iPad models with an M1 SoC/CPU, but was later extended to include iPad models with A12X CPUs. As such, this feature is available for these models of iPad:

• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
• Pad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)

In comparison Macs have been deployed with 8GB RAM/256GB storage since I believe 2012.
Also comparing Recent iPhones
iPhone 12 4/6 GB RAM, 64/128 GB storage
iPhone 13 4/6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 14 4/6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 15 6/8 GB RAM, 128GB storage

iPhone 14 has 6GB RAM. Since Apple is still selling some 4GB RAM devices I would expect them to be targeting that for at least some of the features.

 

[Kal Madda]

Not when it illustrates the lack of minimum RAM and storage standards with most iPads deployed by consumers.

The new Stage Manager feature was originally being developed for iPad models with an M1 SoC/CPU, but was later extended to include iPad models with A12X CPUs. As such, this feature is available for these models of iPad:

• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
• Pad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)

In comparison Macs have been deployed with 8GB RAM/256GB storage since I believe 2012.
Also comparing Recent iPhones
iPhone 12 4/6 GB RAM, 64/128 GB storage
iPhone 13 4/6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 14 6 GB RAM, 128GB storage
iPhone 15 6/8 GB RAM, 128GB storage

How does that have any bearing on the advanced features they add for the M-Series iPad Pros? The number of iPads with 8GB of RAM didn’t stop them from developing features like Stage Manager. And now, there are more M-series iPads out in the wild, we’re now on the M4 iPad Pros, and the iPad Air has now had M-Series chips for two versions. So now it makes even more sense to develop more features that utilize the M-Series chips.

Also, I don’t understand how you conclude that Stage Manager doesn’t count as a major UI change. Maybe I misunderstand what you’re trying to say?

Apple hasn’t shied away from adding more macOS features and functionality to iPadOS for M-Series iPads at the very least, so I don’t understand why they would now. And there are several macOS features they could add in iPadOS that wouldn’t actually require that much RAM, like some hybrid of Dynamic Island/macOS Menu Bar, some features in Files like setting a default app for opening a certain file type, smart folders, an eject button for external drives to make it less confusing moving between the Mac and iPad, and possibly external drive reformatting options. They also could bring more of their basic system apps to feature parity as they already seem to be reworking several of them this go round with a Swift code base. These features wouldn’t require much RAM. And they could also add some more advanced features as well that would be designed for M-Series iPads, similar to Stage Manager. I’m not suggesting that all of the new features of iPadOS 18 would be resource intensive, but I do think there will be some, especially with the M4 iPad Pro.

 

[Tagbert]

That sux, sounds like my 13 will get left out. I guess apples wants us to upgrade. typical

What it sounds like is that some of the AI processing will happen on-device for newer devices and some will happen on the server for older devices.

typical.

_

 

[gwhizkids]

What is sounds like is that some of the AI processing will happen on-device for newer devices and some will happen on the server for older devices.

typical.

_

Yeah. That’s probably how it will go down.

Apple knows they are playing catch up here with AI. They can’t afford to have these features be exclusive to the newest and/or most powerful devices. They need it in the most hands possible.

In fact, that’s probably what is behind this whole on-device / off-device discussion. If they were only supporting the newest/best phones, it would probably be all on device if they had their way.

 

[Realityck]

How does that have any bearing on the advanced features they add for the M-Series iPad Pros? The number of iPads with 8GB of RAM didn’t stop them from developing features like Stage Manager. And now, there are more M-series iPads out in the wild, we’re now on the M4 iPad Pros, and the iPad Air has now had M-Series chips for two versions. So now it makes even more sense to develop more features that utilize the M-Series chips.

Also, I don’t understand how you conclude that Stage Manager doesn’t count as a major UI change. Maybe I misunderstand what you’re trying to say?

Apple hasn’t shied away from adding more macOS features and functionality to iPadOS for M-Series iPads at the very least, so I don’t understand why they would now. And there are several macOS features they could add in iPadOS that wouldn’t actually require that much RAM, like some hybrid of Dynamic Island/macOS Menu Bar, some features in Files like setting a default app for opening a certain file type, smart folders, an eject button for external drives to make it less confusing moving between the Mac and iPad, and possibly external drive reformatting options. They also could bring more of their basic system apps to feature parity as they already seem to be reworking several of them this go round with a Swift code base. These features wouldn’t require much RAM. And they could also add some more advanced features as well that would be designed for M-Series iPads, similar to Stage Manager. I’m not suggesting that all of the new features of iPadOS 18 would be resource intensive, but I do think there will be some, especially with the M4 iPad Pro.

Apple needs to make stage manager an actual iPadOS feature if your iPad is capable of running it. Yes that means it's not a separate mode within iPadOS that you enter and exit. The issue of only allowing certain features to work on specific configurations is a problem that Apple needs to address. They can accomplish that, not this miss mash of minimum RAM/storage IPad configs presently and in recent years. It shouldn't take top of the line to run pretty much all iPadOS features. Thats where I am comparing Macs, even the cheapest model of any Mac can run stage manager if thats what you want to use. Comparably iPads can't do that. 😉

Why Reviewers Lament iPadOS While Users Absolutely Love It

In the days and weeks after the launch of the new iPad Pro from Apple, I noticed quite a bit of discourse responding to critical reception of the tablet

petapixel.com

I loved this last comment to the article, how true

Apple is an at an impasse. It can continue iPadOS and the users who know it and nothing else will continue to love it, but reviewers and those who work in a wider ecosystem of devices will regularly complain. Or, Apple can change iPadOS to be more like a computer and upset the users that are used to the current experience. If there is anything obvious from all of this, it’s that Apple has to do something, but very likely whatever that is, it won’t please everyone.

 

[Kal Madda]

Apple needs to make stage manager an actual iPadOS feature if your iPad is capable of running it. Yes that means it's not a separate mode within iPadOS that you enter and exit. The issue of only allowing certain features to work on specific configurations is a problem that Apple needs to address. They can accomplish that, not this miss mash of minimum RAM/storage IPad configs presently and in recent years. It shouldn't take top of the line to run pretty much all iPadOS features. Thats where I am comparing Macs, even the cheapest model of any Mac can run stage manager if thats what you want to use. Comparably iPads can't do that. 😉

Why Reviewers Lament iPadOS While Users Absolutely Love It

In the days and weeks after the launch of the new iPad Pro from Apple, I noticed quite a bit of discourse responding to critical reception of the tablet

petapixel.com

I loved this last comment to the article, how true

I disagree. I think Stage Manager actually makes a lot of sense as a “mode”. Because those who don’t want the added complexity of multiwindowing can choose not to use it, and those who do can switch it on. And even macOS delivers Stage Manager as a “mode”. I think it makes sense the way it is set up.

I also don’t view adding features that unfortunately can only work on newer iPads with M-Series chips as a problem that needs addressed. By that logic, they shouldn’t be adding any M-exclusive features to the Mac, which would just hold back that platform until all Intel models were phased out. That would just slow down improvement.

And it wouldn’t take the top of the line to run most iPadOS features. Most iPadOS features currently run fine on low end iPads. But introducing additional features that do require more resources that the M-series chips can provide wouldn’t really change that, and would just add additional functionality for iPadOS on top of that for those who do have iPads with M-series chips. I think it would be a major problem if you limit the potential of a platform by making sure there isn’t a single feature that may not run on a model with 2GB of RAM or whatever. That just isn’t realistic IMHO. Unless you just want to cripple iPadOS for the next so many years until the M-series iPad’s are the oldest supported. That wouldn’t make much sense.

And I did read that article, and I thought he made some good points, but I don’t think it’s as clear cut of a “two option thing” as they make it seem. Apple can continue to improve iPadOS, and not make major changes in a way that would hurt the current experience. Stage Manager proves you can incorporate major features into iPadOS without disrupting the normal experience for those who don’t want to use it. And most macOS features wouldn’t require any changes to the UI of iPadOS at all. Like the features I talked about earlier for the Files app, those should be able to run even on the lowest end iPads, and wouldn’t really require a UI change at all. An update to the Status Bar would be a change to the UI, but I don’t know it would be one that would “ruin” the experience for those who like iPadOS and have used it for a while anymore than the Dynamic Island has ruined it on the iPhone.

Ultimately, I think there are A. Plenty of macOS type features that could be incorporated into iPadOS even on base iPads that would go a long way towards making some of these reviewers happy, and B. I don’t think the M-series iPads shouldn’t get any more advanced features just because there are still old iPads with less RAM out in the wild.

And I hope you don’t misunderstand, I’m very happy with where iPadOS is currently. I use my iPad Pro as my primary computer. And just in the time between iPadOS 15 and 17, we’ve made major leaps and bounds in functionality that I have benefited from. I bought my iPad before Stage Manager, and for a bit, I got used to full screening every app, and working with essentially a single app at a time. But now I use Stage Manager every day, and it’s been very useful for me. I’m definitely glad that Apple didn’t decide they couldn’t add it because there are still iPads that can’t run it out in the wild. 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

Only 9 more days!!!

 

[farmaceut]

AI only for iPhone15Pro is a cheating on those who bought iP15.

 

[Kal Madda]

AI only for iPhone15Pro is a cheating on those who bought iP15.

I’m pretty sure that the older iPhones will support most or all of the same AI features, just on cloud.

 

[farmaceut]

I’m pretty sure that the older iPhones will support most or all of the same AI features, just on cloud.

With the additional fee, hmm?...

 

[Kal Madda]

With the additional fee, hmm?...

I don’t think there would be a fee either.

 

[farmaceut]

I don’t think there would be a fee either.

The conference is coming up soon, so we'll see. Anyway, I've advertised my iP15 for sale. (._. ___)<

 

[Xuan Chen]

We need to consider redesigning the iPad's home screen.

 

[Kal Madda]

We need to consider redesigning the iPad's home screen.
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I hope they keep the current app dock design, or at least one that’s similar. I don’t like the one in that concept as much, it looks like the old one. But the other stuff would be cool! 👍🏻

 

[Bubble99]

I'm wondering if Apple is going to bring out customization to organize apps and folders better? I’m guessing by app folder skins to organize apps and folders better. May be different folder looks, For better organizing on the home screen.

 

[Kal Madda]

With the rumors of a new Settings app design for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that will share a Swift code base, I wonder if they will share more settings in common.