Apple Music may not have stolen the spotlight at WWDC, but it’s bringing some exciting new features to iOS 18. Here’s what you can expect:
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Music Haptics: This innovative feature uses the Taptic Engine on your iPhone to create taps and vibrations that sync with the music playing on Apple Music. Not only does this enhance the listening experience, but it also benefits those who are deaf or hard of hearing by allowing them to "feel the music." You can find this feature under Accessibility settings in iOS 18.
- SharePlay Control: Good news for non-Apple Music subscribers! You can now take control of music during a SharePlay session without needing a subscription. Share and enjoy music from a HomePod, Apple TV, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker with friends and family. No subscription required!
In addition to these exciting updates, Apple Maps is also getting a makeover in iOS 18:
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Custom Walking Routes: Explore thousands of hikes in U.S. national parks with filters for length, elevation, and route type. Save your favorite routes for offline use and create custom walking paths with just a few taps. Whether it’s a local workout route or a city tour, Apple Maps has you covered.
- Places Library: Keep track of your national park hikes and custom walking routes with personal notes for each location. And with topographic maps showing terrain details in 3D on a 2D map, you’ll never miss a beat when exploring new places.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, expressed his excitement about these new features: "We’re excited to give them even more to love about our services, like the ability to explore national parks with hikes in Apple Maps…and enjoy music with loved ones through SharePlay in Apple Music."
The iOS 18 developer beta is already available, with the public beta coming next month. The final stable version will be released in September. Stay tuned for an enhanced Apple experience!
