In the latest edition of his “Power On” newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman revealed that iOS 18, the upcoming major update for Apple’s mobile operating system, will bring new customization features to the iPhone home screen.
Freely Placing App Icons
One of the most notable changes is that iOS 18 will allow users to place app icons anywhere on the home screen, breaking free from the current fixed grid layout that has been in place since the iPhone’s inception in 2007. This new flexibility will enable users to arrange their apps in more creative and personalized ways, such as forming patterns or images with icons.
Recoloring App Icons
Perhaps the most exciting new feature is the ability to change the colour of app icons in iOS 18. Users will be able to coordinate their apps by colour, such as making all social media icons blue, finance-related apps green, or any other colour scheme they prefer. This level of customization has been available on Android devices for years, but it will be a first for iOS.
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Other Notable Features in iOS 18
In addition to the home screen customization features, Gurman also mentioned that iOS 18 will introduce several other notable improvements, including:
– Transcribing voice memos
– Retouching photos with AI
– Improving web search in Safari
– New AI features
Availability and Release Timeline
Apple will likely unveil the iOS 18 system at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, where the company will showcase the new features and improvements coming to its software platforms.
Following the preview at WWDC, the public release of iOS 18 should occur in the fall, likely alongside the launch of the iPhone 16 series.
The new home screen customization features, particularly the ability to recolour app icons, are expected to be among the most significant additions to iOS 18. While Android users have enjoyed similar features for years, the introduction of these capabilities in Apple’s latest system will provide iPhone users with more flexibility and personalization options than ever before.