In a recent revelation that has set the tech world abuzz, Bloomberg’s esteemed tech analyst Mark Gurman has heralded iOS 18 as a transformative update, poised to be the most significant since the debut of the original iPhone. Gurman, whose insights often mirror the pulse within Apple’s corridors, anticipates that the forthcoming enhancements to Apple’s AI will spearhead this monumental shift in the iPhone’s operating system. The tech community is abuzz with anticipation, particularly regarding the potential overhaul of Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant.
According to Gurman’s most recent release in his Power On newsletter, iOS 18 will bring in a new era of customization for the iPhone home screen, bringing user customisation to previously unheard-of heights. This move brings back memories of an era when fans of Android gloried in the widget capabilities of their platform—a feature noticeably missing from the iPhone lineup. But when Apple released iOS 14 in 2020, allowing iPhone users to decorate their home screens with widgets similar to those on Android devices, things started to change.
Drawing from my extensive experience with Android devices, I can attest to Apple’s commendable efforts in crafting an array of widgets that have significantly enhanced the iPhone user experience. The trend continued with iOS 16 in 2022, which introduced a customizable Lock Screen, replete with options for widgets, and a suite of personalization features for the Wallpaper and clock.
At this year’s WWDC 2024 Developer Conference in June, Apple will announce iOS 18’s complete feature set, with the keynote speech sure to steal the show. Fans of Apple’s iPhone are understandably excited to see how far the Home Screen’s newfound flexibility takes them, thanks in large part to Gurman’s predictions. After iOS 18’s public beta program launches in July or August, the last version of the OS is expected to be released in September, coinciding with the iPhone 16 series’ introduction.
Whether to give in to the temptation of early adoption and risk running into bugs is a constant dilemma that many iPhone users continue to face. Because beta software is inherently unstable, it poses hazards such as reduced battery life, disruption of important functionalities, and even bricking of the device due to boot loops.
The IT industry is eagerly awaiting WWDC, and shortly the curtain will rise on iOS 18, which will provide the first official look at the future of iPhone customization. Those interested in staying updated should expect the announcement of the date for this much anticipated conference to be made soon.