The Weekender
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Hands-on with iOS 18 + WWDC24 wrap

Hands-on with iOS 18 + WWDC24 wrap

What you need to know about Apple's big upgrades.

Lewis Wallace
June 15, 2024

Monday’s WWDC24 keynote was a total whirlwind, with Apple laying out its well-thought-out plan for bringing AI to iPhones, Macs and iPads. Dubbed “Apple Intelligence,” it looks quite promising (even if some people are freaking out about it).

Apple Intelligence will be woven into iOS 18, macOS Sequoia and iPadOS 18. And all of Apple’s operating systems will gain substantial new features — some powered by AI, some not. Cross-platform apps like Mail, Messages, Photos, Safari and a new Passwords app should make our lives more productive and fun.

2024 is going to be an exciting year for Apple fans. Find out what to look forward to below.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

The first developer betas are out, and we’ve got hands-on looks at the shockingly customizable iOS 18 and the cool new Smart Script feature in iPadOS 18.
The WWDC24 keynote kicked off the event in style. I’d recommend you watch the whole thing, but if you’ve got only 90 seconds, we’ve got a frenetic recap for you that hits all the major points.
Cult of Mac Deals wrangled an exclusive discount on this 2TB portable SSD. Get one for just $44.97 while supplies last. (We also spotted deals on AirTags and Apple Pencils this week.)
And finally, this might be the year that Siri gets smart. Fingers crossed!

Enjoy your weekend …

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Hands-on

Hands-on with iOS 18: Impressive but incomplete [Hey, it’s a beta!]

iOS 18 really is one of the biggest updates in a long time. But after a hands-on week with the beta, there’s plenty to clean up by September.

Hands-on with Smart Script in Notes in iPadOS 18

Enhance your note-taking with Smart Script in iPadOS 18. Keep your handwriting consistent and legible during long meetings or lectures.

News

Apple Intelligence is AI, done Apple's way

With highly personal (and highly useful) features and privacy in mind, Apple Intelligence is artificial intelligence, Cupertino-style.

Plus, more on Apple Intelligence:

AI-powered Siri is the new face of Apple Intelligence

Find out how artificial intelligence is transforming the Siri voice assistant into a tool that iPhone, Mac and iPad users actually want.

Watch Apple’s WWDC24 keynote in just 90 seconds

If you don’t have time to watch Apple's full hour and 45-minute WWDC24 keynote, here it is in just 90 seconds.

Major iOS 18 update packs cool iPhone customization features

The huge new iOS 18 update at WWDC24 may be one of iPhone's biggest ever, with Home Screen customization, generative AI upgrades and more.

Plus, more on iOS 18:

macOS Sequoia brings iPhone and Mac closer than ever

Apple announced macOS Sequoia at WWDC24 with iPhone Mirroring, improved Safari, improved window management, and more.

watchOS 11 adds long-awaited fitness features

WatchOS 11 will monitor your Training Load, enable you to pause your Activity Rings when you're sick, and track your pregnancy.

Plus: Apple Watch gets automatic sleep tracking with watchOS 11

iPadOS 18 brings bevy of AI and Home Screen improvements

iPadOS 18 offers a Calculator(!) app, UI improvements and enhanced AI capabilities for a more powerful and intelligent iPad experience.

Plus: Why Steve Jobs would love the Calculator app for iPad

visionOS 2 brings Spatial Photos, bigger Mac Virtual Display and other niceties

visionOS 2, the first major update to the Vision platform, will bring Spatial Photos and many quality-of-life improvements.

Image Playground and Genmoji bring AI images to iMessage and more

In iOS 18, you’ll be able to use the power of Apple Intelligence to generate fun, relevant images in your Messages conversations and Notes.

Plus, more system-wide improvements:

AirPods Pro will let you answer calls by nodding your head

Apple is adding new gestures to AirPods Pro that'll allow you to answer a phone call with a simple nod of your head.

Deals

This 2TB portable SSD holds all your data for less than $45

This 2TB portable SSD external hard drive keeps your data close and your devices unclogged. And for a limited time, it costs just $44.97.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Get 1TB of cloud storage with this Google Drive alternative, just $80 for life

Need reliable, user-friendly cloud storage that won’t cost you year after year? Meet FolderFort. It's an affordable Google Drive alternative.

Price drop: Learn up to 25 languages with this lifetime Rosetta Stone sub

Save big-time on the app that helps users master foreign languages quickly. This lifetime deal includes all 25 Rosetta Stone languages.

Plus, more price drops:

AirTag and Apple Pencil deals include Pencil 2 for $50 off

If you head over to Amazon, you can score deals on AirTag and Apple Pencil -- including the excellent Pencil 2 for a big 50 bucks off.

Learn how to take and edit stunning photos with this $40 master class bundle

Get the Photography Master Class Bundle for just $39.99. This iPhone photography course will teach you everything you need to know.

How-tos

How to download the iOS 18 developer beta

You can download the iOS 18 developer beta for free. Get a look at the exciting new features coming to the iPhone.

Plus: How to get betas for macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and visionOS 2

Setups

Love it or hate it, this is a great way to store gear

Some people love 'em and some hate 'em, but pegboards for setup storage make for a fantastic way to stow your gear.

Primo speakers and subwoofer blow the roof off

Ready to really pump up the sound in your computer setup? Try this MacBook Pro user's Audioengine A2 Plus speakers and Kanto subwoofer.

Would you spend $650 on a desk lamp?

You could buy a computer for the price of a Dyson Solarcycle Morph Desk Light. Or you could buy a highly functional, self-adjusting lamp.