Apple is giving developers a sneak peek at upcoming features for iPhones and iPads with the release of the second betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights:
Mirroring your iPhone on your Mac: Imagine using your iPhone directly from your Mac! This dream becomes reality with iPhone Mirroring, a new feature in iOS 18 beta 2 that works with macOS Sequoia beta 2. Simply enable iPhone Mirroring on your Mac and you'll be able to control your iPhone, open apps, manage notifications, and more – all while your iPhone remains locked.
Improved Messaging with Android Users (Coming Soon): Tired of blurry pictures and missing features when texting Android users? iOS 18 paves the way for the future of messaging with built-in support for RCS (Rich Communication Services). While not yet functional in beta 2, the inclusion of an RCS toggle hints at its upcoming arrival. Once available, RCS will bring features like higher-quality image and video sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators, making messaging between iPhones and Androids a smoother experience.
Subtle Interface Tweaks: Apple is also refining the look and feel of iOS 18. The App Store icon now sports a sleek dark mode design, and you can now set your wallpaper to automatically adjust to a darker shade at night. Additionally, some app icons have been tweaked to improve contrast in dark mode.
More to Explore: The update also includes a new widget for Connected Cards, which integrate with the Wallet app for managing finances. While not functional yet, it has the potential to streamline how you track spending. The Control Center gets a minor but helpful upgrade too – the power button now requires a deliberate press instead of a tap to avoid accidental activation.
Changes for the EU: If you're in the European Union, you'll see additional options in iPadOS 18 beta 2. This update aligns with new EU regulations, allowing you to download apps from alternative app marketplaces and even directly from websites, similar to the changes introduced in iOS 17.4 for iPhones.
This is just a taste of what's to come in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Apple is likely to continue refining these features and introducing more throughout the testing period before the official fall release. Stay tuned for further updates!
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