Throughout 2024, Apple will introduce several new features distributed between new updates of iOS 17 and iOS 18.
Apple Music shared playlists
Collaborative playlists for Apple Music allow multiple people to add, rearrange, and remove songs from one shared playlist.
This feature was originally expected to debut with iOS 17.2, but it was removed in one of the betas without Apple providing an explanation. The company itself has confirmed that this innovation will arrive in the coming months, probably with a subsequent iOS 17 update expected in 2024.
Alternative app stores
To comply with European regulations, Apple must give the green light in 2024 Third-party app stores and to enable sideloading of apps. This will allow users to install apps outside of the App Store, expected to begin in the first half of 2024 with a special iOS 17 update.
Next generation CarPlay
We’ve been waiting for it for almost two years now, that is, since Apple previewed it during WWDC 2022 next generation of CarPlaywhich promises deeper integration with vehicle features like air conditioning and FM radio, support for multiple dashboard displays, greater customization options and more.
Apple’s website still says the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in “late 2023,” but with just a few weeks until December 31, it’s unclear whether that time frame is still being adhered to. Regardless, the next-generation CarPlay experience likely won’t be available to customers until 2024.
Satellite roadside assistance outside the US
Starting with iOS 17, all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models offer Roadside assistance via a satellite feature that allows users in the United States to contact the AAA roadside assistance company when there is no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Apple said the feature will be available outside the US starting in 2024.
AirPlay in hotels
Originally announced for 2023, also the function AirPlay in hotels coming in 2024. AirPlay in hotels offers guests a way to more easily use televisions in hotel rooms. By scanning a QR code on an AirPlay-compatible TV in their room, users can stream content from their device to the larger screen in just a few simple steps.
RCS support
In November, Apple announced it would support it RCS cross-platform messaging standard in the Messages app on iPhone starting “late next year,” so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature.
RCS support is expected to result in the following improvements to the native messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices:
- High-resolution photos and videos
- Audio messages
- Tip indicators
- Indicators whether messages have been received
- Wi-Fi messaging between iPhone and Android devices
- Group chat, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that also includes Android users
- Improved encryption compared to SMS
These features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations via iMessage, and many are also available in third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on iPhone extends functionality to green bubbles in the Messages app.
Smarter Siri
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects iOS 18 to include: generative artificial intelligence technology This should improve the way Siri and the Messages app can answer questions and autocomplete sentences. Apple is also developing generative AI capabilities for other apps on its platforms, including Apple Music, Pages, Keynote and Xcode.
Sources report that Apple plans to integrate large language models into Siri to allow users to automate complex tasks, a feature that would require deeper integration with the Commands app.
These innovations are expected with iOS 18.
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