Everything Apple iOS 18 Will Do Android Already Does

Apple lastly previewed what’s coming to iOS 18 at its annual developer convention keynote. The iPhone’s subsequent main software program replace will roll out later this yr, that includes loads of AI infusion—Apple Intelligence—plus different quality-of-life enhancements throughout the platform. It’s all good news for iPhone customers, even when Android wielders have heard it earlier than.

In some circumstances, iOS 18 is taking part in catchup to its Android competitors. However iPhone customers appear enthusiastic about what’s coming—there have been many cheers within the keynote viewers—and so-called copycat options imply extra parity throughout cell platforms, which suggests much less of a Sophie’s Selection at any time when searching for a brand new smartphone. Listed below are some new options coming to the iPhone with iOS 18 and the way they evaluate to these already on Android gadgets.

Transfer apps wherever you want

Customized icon placement is not restricted to Android customers with time to burn. At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced that iOS 18 would lastly allow you to place app icons wherever you need on the Residence display, releasing them from the stringent rail it was on earlier than. You’ll be able to transfer apps to both aspect of the display with area within the center to spotlight a topic in your wallpaper.

Tinted icons

iOS 18 customers may have entry to tinted icons—one thing the Pixel Launcher has accomplished since Android 13. The iOS 18 developer beta exhibits that the colour accents choose up based mostly in your wallpaper and system theme. And in the event you don’t like the colour Apple picks for you, you possibly can regulate it to one thing else.

RCS

When you’ve learn any tech weblog up to now few years, you understand that Google had RCS first—and gained’t cease reminding us about it. It even took out an enormous promoting marketing campaign to hone in on the message.

Nonetheless, regardless that Apple quietly introduced RCS help this week throughout its developer convention, Google doesn’t get its victory lap. Apple didn’t dedicate any fanfare to its acquiescing to the cell protocol. On the plus aspect, messages between iPhones and their inexperienced bubbles will have the ability to share options like high-resolution pictures and Tapback animations later this yr.

Schedule a message

The Messages app on the iPhone will allow you to schedule your messages to ship later when iOS 18 rolls out later this yr. Google Messages has been capable of schedule textual content messages since 2022. It’s how I’ve stored my iPhone-using mates from coming after me for sending them textual content messages late at night time when my mind is most energetic.

Sport Mode

iOS 18 will supply a Sport Mode. Apple advertises that it’s going to reduce background exercise to assist maintain a constant framerate. Android has had an official recreation mode providing since Android 12. Some Android smartphones have even made it their identification to be gaming telephones— you, Asus Rog Telephone.

Sort to Siri

Okay, I’ll admit that Google’s transition from the Assistant to Gemini has not been clean. However I’ve been capable of kind out a command to the Assistant for years now, sufficient that I’ll miss it when the Assistant ultimately faces its expiration date.

Properly, at the very least Siri customers can kind instructions, or you’ll as soon as iOS 18 goes stay. I noticed an indication of typing to Siri at WWDC, which jogged my memory that it’s a function I’ll miss if/when Google forces me to Gemini. Sob.

Dwell Audio Transcriptions

iOS 18 may have a useful function that allows you to document audio classes with the Notes app after which have it generate a transcription of the session, which you’ll be able to then mix with different paperwork and checklists.

Google launched Dwell Transcribe to the Pixel again in 2019. As of 2021, it’s built-in into the Android system settings.

Management Middle

iOS 18 will deliver extra customization to this pull-down a part of the iPhone. Along with residence controls and fast settings, third-party app builders can supply pinnable shortcuts.

Android has all the time had the notification shade. In Android 7, the Fast Settings within the notification shade added editable tiles, which have been ultimately opened as much as third-party app builders.

iPhone Mirroring

There’s good news for iPhone customers with a Mac on the desk. iOS 18 will allow you to stream your iPhone stay to your Mac and use it with a mouse and keyboard. You’ll be able to even drop media between the desktop and cell environments easy-peasy.

Android customers have been having fun with this type of mirrored synchronization with their telephones because the first third-party provided the flexibility within the 2010s. But it surely’s nonetheless as much as third events a decade later, as there’s no native implementation between Android and Google’s Chrome OS. Solely the newest Samsung flagships have the additional advantage of cellphone mirroring to the PC utilizing Micorosft’s Telephone app.

Genmoji, meet Emoji Kitchen

Apple customers can generate emojis from a textual content immediate on the iPhone when iOS 18 hits later this yr. Genmoji, because it’s referred to as, is supposed to showcase the corporate’s underlying Apple Intelligence capabilities.

The flexibility sounds much like Android’s Emoji Kitchen, which has been a success because it launched on the Google Keyboard in 2020. Emoji Kitchen isn’t as AI-forward as Apple’s Genmoji however simply as enjoyable.

Dwell audio transcripts

Apple introduced its Apple Intelligence infusion will assist energy a stay transcription function within the Notes app on iOS 18. The instrument will document your name after which spit out a abstract after you’ve hung up.

Android has been capable of do each these items individually however not collectively. The Pixel’s Dwell Transcribe works nicely, however it’s meant for in-person interactions somewhat than over-the-phone audio. And whereas Android has allowed third-party apps to allow name recording, the transcription half requires some research to seek out the correct service.

Sort-to-Siri

iOS 18 will allow you to kind out a command to Siri. There’s been a run-around method to allow this since iOS 11, however this methodology is extra direct and simpler to entry. It’ll even be extra contextual than Siri’s ever been, giving us Android customers struggling to simply accept Gemini somewhat FOMO.

I’ve been typing utilizing Google Assistant for 5 years. It’s been useful after I can’t communicate out loud, which is why Apple additionally adopted the function for iOS 18. This skill remains to be out there on Android gadgets, although the eventual transition to Gemini might change this skill.

Bonus: Calculator app on the iPad

iPad OS 18 is lastly getting its very personal optimized calculator app. This isn’t associated to iOS 18, however it’s value mentioning as a result of Android has had a calculator for tablets lengthy earlier than Apple did.

On the very least, Apple sweetened the deal for iPad customers with its calculator app by providing Math Notes, that are unlockable with the Apple Pencil.