iOS 18, Apple's next big annual update, is expected to roll out with some major AI-powered updates.

>>>>>>Replacement 1500mAh B26 for CAT Caterpillar B26

Yes, rumors are already flying around about iOS 18, the theoretical follow-up to last year's iOS 17 update. I say "theoretical" because Apple has yet to publicly talk about it, but you can rest easy knowing it'll almost certainly come out at some point this year. And when it does, it may or may not be a total overhaul of the iOS experience (more on this later).

>>>>>>Replacement 4550mAh W15 for Aierxuan AEX Book Pro

Here's everything we know about iOS 18 so far.

iOS 18 release date

Even with no confirmation from Apple, we can safely assume iOS 18 will launch in September, around the same time as the also-unconfirmed iPhone 16.

That's because every new version of iOS launches in September, around the same time as the new iPhone. Unlike MacBooks and iPads, iOS release dates are easy to pin down.

>>>>>>Replacement 5800mAh NV-4578107-2S for Geobook 120 IOTA_FLO

iOS 18: Everything we know so far, including AI features

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple prognosticator, reported in January that iOS 18 will "one of the biggest" updates in iOS history. And as mentioned, AI will be at the forefront of those updates. While some of the AI features will run on-device, there will be others that will rely on cloud servers.

According to MacRumors, Apple won't be making its own chatbot. Instead, it will reportedly lean on a popular existing chatbot — and it will likely be OpenAI's ChatGPT. Speaking of assistants, let's kick this iOS 18 rumor recap off with Siri.

>>>>>>Replacement 4000mAh MX56 for Pinchun SUXI P30 T3 T1

Siri

Siri is expected to have some AI integration that will allow it to, according to Gurman, "take command of all of the features within apps for the first time."

In other words, Siri, thanks to a new large language model (LLM) powering it, will reportedly allow the assistant to do the following:

open individual files

move notes to other folders

send emails

delete emails

launch a specific publication in Apple News

email a web link

summarize articles

transcribe voice memos

This would be a big deal because Siri is known for having its functionality limited to broader, macro-level commands (e.g., playing music playlists, controlling smart-home devices, and more). However, with this new AI-powered update, Siri can get more granular in fulfilling users' requests.

However, according to Gurman, this new-and-improved Siri is expected to hit iPhones, and by extension, iPads, some time next year.

RCS messaging standard

Aside from that, the best prediction we can make regarding iOS 18 is that texting with Android users will probably be a better experience.

That's because Apple already confirmed it will adopt the Rich Communication Services (or RCS) messaging standard starting this year.

As MacRumors pointed out, this means that the following should see improvements between iOS and Android devices:

Wi-Fi messaging

Read receipts

Typing indicators

Audio messages

Resolution of photos and videos

We're also expecting to see improvements to group chats between iPhone and Android phones.

Messages

According to Gurman, the Messages app is expected to automatically suggest replies to texts. (The Mail app will reportedly get the same functionality.)

Plus, users may also get AI-generated emojis.

In other words, instead of being limited by the current portfolio of emoji, you can generate your own based on your conversations. It's also worth noting that we may see a new crop of emoji head to iOS 18, including a baggy eyes character.

Also, Apple is revamping the trigger effects feature. For the uninitiated, this effect lefts you send fireworks, for example, to iPhone users you're texting. However, with the new update, you will now be able to send effects to specific words — not just the entire message.

Tapbacks, the feature that lets you send quick reactions to messages (e.g., an exclamation point), will have more options to choose from.

Safari

Safari will have two standout features Intelligent Search and Web Eraser, according to Forbes.

Intelligent Search - Based on an LLM, Safari will reportedly be able to identify key phrases and topics within a web page, according to Forbes, allowing Safari to summarize it.

Web Eraser - An ad-blocking feature built into the Safari browser

Forbes noted that publishers may be concerned about Web Eraser because it may hinder their ad revenue.

iOS 18 features: Every rumor we know so far, including AI and Siri