The Weekender
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5 best new Messages features

5 best new Messages features

iOS 18 brings fun and powerful new ways to communicate via text.

Lewis Wallace
August 03, 2024

In partnership with

If you thought text messaging was fun before, wait till you try the new features coming to the Messages app in iOS 18.

For example, iOS 18 gives Tapbacks — those little gray icons like thumbs up and “Ha ha” that let you quickly reply to a text — a color upgrade. Plus, you’re not limited to the six standard Tapbacks. You can use any emoji you want. 🤯

And that’s just the start. Read this weekend’s featured story (or watch our video) for a look at the five best new features coming to the Messages app in iOS 18.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Anyone can try the new Messages app in the iOS 18 public beta. And, if you really want to live dangerously, you can download the first developer beta of iOS 18.1. It gives you early access to Apple Intelligence.
Photos of dummy units purport to show this year’s colors for the regular iPhone lineup as well as a bold new option for iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Cult of Mac Deals just dropped some deals on refurbished Apple gear. You can save big on first-gen AirPods Pro ($119.99) and a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar ($399.99). And the Cult of Mac Store has a limited-time sale on multi-device MagSafe charging stands.
Finally, we now have a premiere date for season two of Silo. You don’t have long to wait for the sci-fi hit to return to Apple TV+. Also incoming: a thriller starring … Billy Crystal?!?

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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How-tos

The 5 best new features coming to Messages in iOS 18

With iOS 18, Messages gains five great new features that will make texting all the more fun. Here’s what you can look forward to this fall.

How to get Apple Intelligence features early

You can get the Apple Intelligence beta right now on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Speed up Haptic Touch with this hidden iPhone setting [Pro Tip]

This hidden setting will speed up the iPhone feature that lets you preview links and bring up option menus.

Check how many times your iPhone 15 battery has cycled

The iPhone 15 series shows the battery cycle count, helping users track the long-term “health” of the battery. Here's how to see it.

News

iOS 18.1 beta 1: All the new features and changes

iOS 18.1 beta 1 arrives with several Apple Intelligence features baked in. But that's not all. Here's everything new in the beta release.

Plus: Every Apple device gets a bug-fix OS update this week

iPhone 16 Pro Max looks stealthy in leaked black titanium shade

A picture shows alleged iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy units in three colors, including a deep black shade.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Strong iPad sales help return Apple to revenue growth

Apple sees growth in Q3 2024 with 5% year-over-year revenue increase.

‘Silo’ season 2 hits Apple TV+ November 15

Join the Earth's last survivors as they uncover the truth in this thrilling sci-fi series.

Plus, more on Apple TV+:

Apple yanks another 'tone-deaf’ ad after flurry of complaints

The latest Apple ad featuring the Underdogs causes a stir in Thailand. Find out why.

Deals

Slash 20% off MagPower charging stands for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods

These wireless magnetic charging stands can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Two models -- a powerful 4-in-1 and a compact 2-in-1.

Get refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro for just $119.99

Want noise-canceling Apple earbuds for less? Hop on this deal.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Take iPad 10 back to school at $50 off from Amazon

Amazon's iPad 10 back-to-school deal slashes $50 off all models.

Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac for just $90

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (Home and Business edition), with essential productivity apps Word, Excel and more.

Plus, more software and services from Cult of Mac Deals:

Reviews

Your iPad needs this iPad stand and wireless charger [Review] ★★★★½

Enjoy the convenience of wireless charging with Lululook's stylish new iPad stand. It's flexible, rotates and is all-around brilliant.

This 100W magnetic cable includes a built-in power meter [Review] ★★★★☆

We went hands-on with the Chargeasap Connect Pro, a charging cable with cool extras.

Setups

Can't afford a Studio Display? Build one.

DIY Studio Displays? Yes, this M3 MacBook Pro user crafted two 5K resolution displays based on the same panel that Apple and LG use.

Killer MacBook Pro rig enjoys awesome audio recording and playback

Want to sound good on podcasts or conference calls? Today's setup shows you how, with a Shure MV7 USB microphone.

Modern-classic USB mic serves up audio to Mac Studio

Into podcasting, streaming, gaming or music recording? A Blue Yeti USB microphone like the one in this Mac Studio setup might be for you.