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Upon Apple’s recent unveiling of iOS 18, my initial disappointment stemmed from the scarcity of substantial new features addressing safety and privacy concerns. Despite initial reservations, I still find myself applying this approach to a certain degree. Despite extensive testing of the iOS 18 beta over two weeks, a select few standout features warrant particular attention. So, below are my ratings in ascending order:
Apple has further enhanced its popular Pictures app by introducing the capability to selectively share individual images from a user’s entire library, while also allowing for the choosing of specific contacts to whom those images can be shared. Prior to iOS 18, users faced a stark choice: granting an app unrestricted access to all their contacts or having none at all.
What information about customers’ contacts may they unwittingly share? A healthcare professional’s contact may highlight a sensitive medical scenario; a specific sports term like “crunch,” “temple,” or “mosque” tackle can imply a religious affiliation or connection.
4. Lock and Disguise apps
In iOS 18, Apple extends the functionality of its Pictures app by introducing the ability for users to lock or hide any Home screen icon, giving them greater control over their device’s layout. The application remains concealed, except for discreet appearances within the Settings menu and a secure, hidden apps folder – both accessible only after authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or a personalized passcode.
By introducing this feature, Apple enables users to protect sensitive information from accidental exposure when sharing devices or displaying screens to others.
Apple’s Director of Person Privacy Erik Neuenschwander declares, “We remain unwaveringly committed to providing our customers with the most advanced and robust privacy protections available.” This year isn’t an exception; Apple empowers users to maintain control over their data by providing features like app locking and concealing, ensuring that even when they share devices with others, their information remains secure.
Here’s how it operates:
- Press and hold onto any app.
- Choose
- Then select between or
- The latter option will remove the app from your home screen entirely and relocate it to a designated folder, accessible through your device’s menu or settings.
3. RCS
As Apple released the final beta of iOS 18, a significant update was rolled out, introducing RCS support for iPhone users; this feature now enables them to send rich messages featuring audio and larger media files to Android device owners? RCS technology offers a more comprehensive set of features than traditional SMS, including learned behavior cues and enhanced typing indicators, as well as significantly bolstered privacy and security capabilities.
Until the final week, any SMS or MMS messages sent to non-iPhone users were transmitted in unencrypted form, making them readable to potential malicious third parties. One significant advantage of RCS is its robust full end-to-end encryption, guaranteeing that only the sender and intended recipient are privy to the conversation’s contents. While RCS presents a message verification system that guarantees only validated companies can send texts to clients, this approach effectively minimizes the number of spam and phishing attempts customers may encounter.
2.
Prior to later iOS iterations, Apple had its native Keychain password management tool discreetly integrated within the Settings application. Although it enabled automated password creation and storage in the Passwords section, this feature often proved inconvenient when users needed to manage unique login credentials.
In iOS 18, Apple has introduced a dedicated app called Passwords, providing users with a streamlined and secure way to manage their passwords. Apple aims to simplify password management for its users with this innovation. Similar to 1Password, saved passwords are accessible on any device where you’re signed in with your Apple ID, providing seamless convenience across all your devices. You can also enter and sync your saved passwords to Windows using the iCloud for Windows app. Can passwords really escalate to such an extent that they necessitate aggressive measures?
“Building on the inspiration of Keychain, which Apple first introduced over 25 years ago, the new Passwords app simplifies access to account passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and two-factor authentication codes safely stored in Keychain.” The app also includes alerts for customers regarding recurring vulnerabilities, such as easily guessable passwords, repeated use of previously compromised credentials, and those appearing in publicly disclosed data breaches.
Apple’s innovative endeavors continue to fascinate, and I look forward to witnessing their next moves.
1. Non-public Cloud Compute
Is a relatively under-the-radar feature unveiled at WWDC 24 that deserves more attention. The PCC was developed using Apple’s silicon chips to process Apple Intelligence requests while ensuring end-to-end encryption throughout the entire process. Apple asserts no prior involvement in this breakthrough, highlighting an unprecedented level of privacy in the Synthetic Intelligence field.
Although iPhones, iPads, and Macs are powerful devices, they still fall short in handling all the AI models users require locally at this very instant. While Apple Intelligence has its strengths, it’s fair to say that they excel in just one area where their intelligence truly shines. In iOS 18, whenever you employ a feature like Siri, a combination of on-device and server-based generative AI models will be leveraged to process requests. Data gathered outside Siri’s parameters is encrypted and stored safely in the cloud infrastructure.
The true power lies in non-public cloud compute’s ability to revolutionize workflows.
When a user initiates a request, Apple’s sophisticated intelligence software evaluates whether it can be handled by the device in question. To enhance its processing power, the system can leverage the scalability of Non-Public Cloud Compute, allowing it to offload specific task-related data onto Apple’s robust silicon servers. In compliance with Apple’s guidelines, when requests are forwarded to Non-public Cloud Compute, data is neither stored nor made available to Apple, serving solely to fulfill customer demands at that moment.
PCC functions by leveraging a proprietary algorithm that analyzes patient data and identifies potential treatment options based on evidence-based guidelines. This algorithm is constantly updated with the latest research and medical findings to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness.
Within this framework, clinicians can access detailed information about each patient’s condition, including diagnoses, treatments, and medication regimens. The system also provides real-time alerts when patients miss appointments or fail to adhere to treatment plans, allowing for timely interventions and improved outcomes.
Moreover, PCC seamlessly integrates with electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory results, and other relevant data sources to create a comprehensive patient profile. This aggregated information enables healthcare providers to make more informed decisions about patient care, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance the overall quality of care.
By streamlining clinical workflows, PCC reduces administrative burdens, freeing up clinicians to focus on what matters most: providing exceptional patient care.
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