Apple's upcoming iOS 18 update is set to bring significant changes to the iPhone experience, according to various reports. One of the most anticipated features is the ability for users to customize app icons by changing their colors. This feature was first reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter and has since been corroborated by other sources.
Gurman wrote, 'iOS 18 will allow users to change the color of app icons. For example, you can make all your social icons blue or finance-related ones green.' This level of customization is currently possible through hacks like creating single-action shortcuts with custom icons that launch an app, but with iOS 18, it will become a first-party feature.
Another major update coming to the home screen is the ability to place apps anywhere on the grid. This means users will be able to arrange their icons more freely and create unique layouts. Gurman reported that this feature was also confirmed in iOS 18, and it's expected to be a popular addition among iPhone users.
In addition to these home screen customization features, Apple is also rumored to be introducing AI-powered summarization and enhanced audio transcription for several of its operating systems. The default Voice Memos application is expected to be one of the first apps to receive these upgrades, providing a running transcript of each audio recording.
The iOS 18 update is expected to be unveiled at Apple's annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10. The release date for the public is not yet known, but it's anticipated to occur in the fall.
It's important to note that while these reports come from reputable sources, they should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by Apple. It's also crucial to remember that there may be biases and agendas at play when reading news articles, so it's essential to consider multiple sources and perspectives before forming an opinion.