Apple is rolling out a host of new features across its suite of services with the release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18.
These updates bring significant enhancements to Apple Maps, Apple Pay, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and more, promising a richer and more integrated user experience.
Explore the Great Outdoors with Apple Maps
Apple Maps is set to become an adventurer’s best friend with the introduction of U.S. national park hikes and custom walking routes. Users can browse thousands of hikes in national parks, filtered by length, elevation, and route type, and save them for offline use. Custom walking routes allow for easy planning of local exercise routes or full-day tours in new cities. Additionally, users can save their favorite hikes and routes to a new Places Library, complete with personal notes.
Enhanced Flexibility with Apple Pay
Apple Pay is expanding its functionality to include the ability to redeem rewards and access installment payment options. These features will be available in supported markets and integrated by any Apple Pay-enabled bank or issuer. Initially, reward redemption will be available in the U.S. through Discover and Synchrony, while installment access will start in Australia, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. Users can also make secure payments via third-party browsers by scanning a code with their iPhone and add eligible cards to Apple Wallet with a simple tap.
Seamless Cash Transfers with Tap to Cash
The new Tap to Cash feature allows users to send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhones together, without sharing phone numbers. This feature is perfect for quick transactions like splitting a dinner bill or making purchases at a garage sale.
Revamped Apple Fitness+ Experience
Apple Fitness+ is receiving a major redesign to help users maximize its extensive library of workouts and meditations. New features include personalized recommendations, a revamped Explore section, and a Library for easy tracking of favorite sessions. Enhanced search capabilities and front-and-center awards and streaks reminders aim to keep users motivated and consistent in their fitness routines.
Collaborative Listening and Accessibility in Apple Music
Apple Music is enhancing its new SharePlay feature, allowing more users to share control of music on HomePod, Apple TV, or Bluetooth-enabled speakers without requiring an Apple Music subscription. The new Music Haptics feature will enable users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music through vibrations from the Taptic Engine in iPhone, making millions of songs more accessible.
Optimized Viewing on Apple TV
The Apple TV app introduces InSight, a new feature that provides real-time information about actors, characters, and music in Apple TV+ content. Enhanced Dialogue leverages machine learning to improve vocal clarity over background noise, while smart subtitles appear at crucial moments for a more engaging viewing experience.
Improved iCloud Mail and Apple Account
iCloud Mail is getting better and new inbox management with new categorization for emails, and Apple ID is being rebranded to Apple Account for a consistent sign-in experience. These updates aim to simplify user interactions across Apple devices and services.
With these exciting new features, Apple continues to enhance the daily experiences of its users, offering more ways to explore, connect, and stay entertained.
