First Official iOS 18 Features Announced!

Introduction

Apple has made an official announcement about the first features that will be coming to iOS 18. These features have been confirmed by Apple on their website and will be available to beta testers and developers in the coming weeks. The announcement will be made at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10th, 2024. These features focus on accessibility, making iOS more inclusive and user-friendly. Here are some of the key features that are coming with iOS 18:

Magnifier Updates

The Magnifier tool on iOS will have a new Reader mode added to it, making it easier to read and navigate text. Additionally, there will be an Action Mode for the Magnifier, accessible directly from the button on iPhone 15 series devices.

Eye Tracking

One of the most significant updates is the eye tracking feature, which allows users to control their iPad or iPhone directly with their eyes. This feature will be particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, paralysis, and other conditions that limit physical movement. Users will be able to navigate the entire device using their eyes, without the need for any additional hardware.

Music Haptic Feedback

For individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf, iOS 18 will introduce a new experience by providing music haptic feedback. This feature will allow users to feel vibrations that correspond to the music they are listening to, enhancing their overall enjoyment and understanding of the music.

VoiceOver Updates

VoiceOver, a popular accessibility feature, will receive some updates in iOS 18. New voices will be added, along with a flexible voice rotor, customized voice control, and keyboard shortcuts for VoiceOver on macOS 15.

Customizable Vocal Shortcuts

iOS 18 will introduce vocal shortcuts, enabling users to create customized sounds that trigger specific actions or tasks. This feature will be particularly useful for individuals with speech-related disabilities, such as those with cerebral palsy, ALS, or stroke.

Vehicle Motion Queues

To help reduce motion sickness while using an iPhone or iPad in a car, iOS 18 will introduce vehicle motion queues. This feature will display moving dots on the screen that correspond to the motion of the vehicle. It can be disabled if preferred.

CarPlay Accessibility Features

CarPlay will receive accessibility updates, including voice control, color filters, sound recognition, bold text, large text, and other visual accessibility features. These updates will make CarPlay more inclusive and user-friendly for individuals with visual impairments or color blindness.

Personal Voice Updates

The Personal Voice feature, which allows users to type out their voice recordings, will receive some enhancements. Users will now be able to set up personal voices using shortened phrases, and support for Mandarin Chinese will be added.

Braille Screen Input

iOS 18 will introduce new ways to start and stay in the Braille screen input for visually impaired or blind users. Multi-line Braille with DotPad, different input and output tables, and support for the Japanese language will also be added.

Switch Control

Switch Control, an accessibility feature that allows users to control their devices using physical switches, will now enable the camera to recognize finger gestures as switches. This feature aims to enhance the user experience for individuals who rely on Switch Control.

These are just some of the features announced so far for iOS 18, with many more yet to be revealed by Apple at WWDC 2024.

Keywords

iOS 18, Accessibility, Magnifier, Eye Tracking, Music Haptic Feedback, VoiceOver, Vocal Shortcuts, Vehicle Motion Queues, CarPlay, Personal Voice, Braille Screen Input, Switch Control.

FAQ

Q: When will iOS 18 be available for beta testers and developers?
A: iOS 18 will be available for beta testing and development in the coming weeks after the official announcement at WWDC 2024 on June 10th.

Q: What is the significance of the eye tracking feature in iOS 18?
A: The eye tracking feature in iOS 18 allows users to control their iPad or iPhone using just their eyes, making it more accessible for individuals with disabilities that limit physical movement.

Q: Will iOS 18 enhance the music experience for individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf?
A: Yes, iOS 18 will provide music haptic feedback, enabling users to feel vibrations that correspond to the music they are listening to, enhancing their overall experience and enjoyment of the music.

Q: What accessibility updates are coming to CarPlay in iOS 18?
A: CarPlay will receive updates including voice control, color filters, sound recognition, bold text, large text, and other visual accessibility features, making it more inclusive for individuals with visual impairments or color blindness.

Q: What improvements are being made to the Personal Voice feature in iOS 18?
A: iOS 18 will allow users to set up personal voices using shortened phrases and add support for Mandarin Chinese. These enhancements expand the capabilities of the Personal Voice feature for users with speech-related disabilities.

Note: This article is a rewrite of a script from a video and is intended for informational purposes only. The information provided may be subject to change as new details are released.