Reacting to iOS 18: What You’d Say After Three Months

So, after spending a few months using iOS 18, it’s clear you have a lot to say about it. As you reflect on Philip Michaels’ review, his insights seem to match your experiences.

But you’ve might have got your own perspective, too , if you are already using it, or even if you are planning to update to IOS 18. Here’s a fresh take on the review of Apple’s latest iOS, Lest checkout few experiences based on Philip Michaels experience with the update.

Photos Redesign: A Shift in Discovery

Philip points out that Photos underwent the biggest redesign in its history, and you can’t help but agree. When he first opened the app after updating, the interface looked so different it almost felt like a new app. You were a little disappointed by the removal of the carousel feature from the beta. It was a fun way to rediscover forgotten photos, something that feels less intuitive now.

His view: Even though the layout has improved in some ways, the new design requires getting used to. One may agree with Philip that the customization features—like rearranging collections and albums—are a step in the right direction, but they’re not enough to win over everyone right away.

Notes: The MVP of iOS 18

The Notes app in iOS 18 can surprise you, just as it did for Philip. The addition of collapsable headers and the ability to record and transcribe audio directly in the app are standout features. The math formula tool, while flashy, is not as practical on a small screen, but it works better on an iPad.

Thoughts: Notes has truly transformed into a powerful tool for organizing thoughts, jotting down quick ideas, and even doing basic calculations. Philip’s take on the transcripts being less accurate than they should be rings true for you, but the feature is still useful overall.

Fitness: A Game-Changer for Rest Days

Philip appreciated the Fitness app update. Being able to pause activity streaks is a relief, especially when you need to take a day off without feeling guilty about losing your progress. Customizing daily move goals makes the app more flexible and suited to real-life routines, recognizing that not every day will be the same.

Thoughts: This feature feels like Apple is finally acknowledging that fitness isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. It’s a major win for users who want a more personalized approach to their exercise habits.

Safari Highlights: A Feature That Misses the Mark

Like Philip, you may feel that Safari’s Highlights feature doesn’t live up to its potential. The idea of pulling out key information from web pages could be great, but it falls short in practice. The tiny AI icon signaling extra info is easy to overlook, and the details it provides—like store hours and locations—aren’t particularly helpful.

Reaction: This feature needs more time in development. It doesn’t add much value in its current form and could be much more intuitive.

Customization: A Taste of What’s Possible

Customization is another theme that runs through Philip’s review. Being able to move app icons and change their tint feels like a big step forward for Apple, but it’s not quite as flexible as you’d hoped. You’d prefer more granular control, such as assigning different colors to different types of apps.

Thoughts: Apple is heading in the right direction with customization, but there’s room for improvement. Philip’s mention of this limitation resonates as you believe customization could go even further in future updates.

What’s Next? Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1

Philip is eagerly awaiting the Apple Intelligence features coming with iOS 18.1. The idea of a smarter Siri that can handle corrections mid-sentence is something you’re particularly excited about. And the promise of natural language searches for photos feels like a long-overdue addition.

Thoughts: You may hope that these AI-driven updates will make everyday tasks even easier and that they’ll bring some much-needed improvements to Siri’s usability.

Final Thoughts

After three months with iOS 18, users are still discovering the depths of what it offers, but may users have formed a clear opinion. Like Philip Michaels, you see a lot of potential in the update, but some features could use more polishing. The enhanced customization options and improved apps like Fitness and Notes are definite highlights, but certain elements—like Safari’s Highlights—still feel half-baked.

Looking ahead, iOS 18.1 and its Apple Intelligence features hold the promise of even more innovation, and you’re eager to see how it further transforms the iPhone experience.

FAQ

1. What are the key changes to the Photos app in iOS 18?

The Photos app in iOS 18 underwent a major redesign, the biggest in its history, according to Apple. The most notable changes include a new interface where the photo library now takes up the top half of the screen, while collections, albums, and memories occupy the bottom half. You can swipe downward to dive deeper into the library or swipe upward to access other collections. However, some features from early beta versions, like the photo carousel, were removed after feedback. Customization is possible, allowing users to reorder collections and albums.

2. How has the Notes app been improved in iOS 18?

The Notes app in iOS 18 introduces several useful features. The most significant is the ability to perform mathematical calculations directly within the app by typing or scribbling formulas. Other noteworthy improvements include collapsable headers for better note organization and the ability to record audio directly within Notes, complete with auto-generated transcripts. These enhancements make Notes a more robust tool for organizing ideas and tasks.

3. How does iOS 18 improve the Fitness app?

iOS 18 brings much-needed flexibility to the Fitness app. One of the most popular updates is the ability to pause activity streaks, which allows users to take a day off for recovery or due to illness without losing progress. Additionally, users can now customize their daily move goals for each day of the week, recognizing that different days have different activity levels. This helps users personalize their fitness experience based on their lifestyle and recovery needs.

4. What is Safari’s Highlights feature, and why is it controversial?

Safari’s new Highlights feature in iOS 18 is designed to pull out essential information from web pages, such as details about places, people, movies, or songs. However, many users, including reviewers like Philip Michaels, feel that it’s not yet intuitive or helpful. The information is often redundant, such as location and business hours already accessible via the Maps app. Additionally, the small AI icon that indicates the presence of Highlights is easy to overlook, making the feature less user-friendly.

5. What new customization options are available in iOS 18?

iOS 18 places a strong emphasis on customization. Users can now rearrange apps on the home screen more freely, without the rigid grid system from previous iOS versions. Additionally, app icons can be tinted with a uniform color, although many users wish for the ability to assign different colors to different types of apps for easier visual recognition. Lock screen shortcuts and certain elements of the Fitness app can also be customized. However, there are still limitations, and many users are hoping for even greater flexibility in future updates.