WWDC 2024 is scheduled to begin tonight at 10:30 PM IST. Apple has not revealed any further details, except for the timing of the keynote. However, it is expected that the tech giant will introduce the much-awaited operating system, iOS 18. The upcoming operating system for Apple devices is expected to have full customisation and deeply integrated AI.

According to rumors and leaks, the event will mainly focus on artificial intelligence integrated into the OS to improve user experience. Along with other features, it is reported that the Messages app on iOS 18 will also be changed. These features are expected to improve the user experience.

iOS 18: New features for the Messages app

Rich Communication Services (RCS) support: Last year, Apple confirmed bringing RCS support to iPhones, but nothing was clear. However, in April 2024, Google confirmed that the feature will be introduced by Apple. Interestingly, this timeline coincides perfectly with the release of the iPhone 16 as well as the anticipated launch of Apple’s next major iOS update, iOS 18.

Apple’s adoption of RCS is a significant step towards a more unified messaging experience. RCS has features that SMS texting currently doesn’t have, including read receipts, typing indicators, high resolution photos and videos, audio messages, Wi-Fi messaging, and potentially end-to-end encryption. Most importantly, it will enable seamless cross-platform messaging between Android and iOS devices, finally eliminating the frustrating green bubble situation. Hopefully SMS will remain available as a fallback option.

Per-word effect: Currently, iPhone users can only send texts with confetti, invisible ink, and several other effects. But with iOS 18, Apple will reportedly bring basic formatting to the Messages app. Rumor has it that Apple will also add bold, italics, and underline formatting options, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Custom emoji: One of the most talked-about features coming to the Messages app is AI-powered emojis. During WWDC 2024, Apple may introduce another AI power that will improve the user experience of iMessages. According to the report, Apple is moving towards developing a software that can create custom emojis based on what users are texting. This means that whatever you text, you will have another set of AI-powered emojis to express the same emotion, going beyond the list of options that Apple currently offers.

Apple is known for introducing new emojis with iOS updates every year, but with this feature, users won’t have to wait another year. This new tool will allow users to create emojis that express their emotions more accurately.

Suggested Answer: Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI is expected to make the iPhone even smarter. This is evident from another rumoured AI feature, Suggested Replies. According to the report, iOS 18 may add AI-generated Suggested Replies to the Messages app. This feature will analyse recent messages in a conversation and provide some suggested replies that users can tap to send.

Message Review: As mentioned above, the main role of AI in iOS 18 is to summarize. This feature is one of the most important evidence. iOS 18 is rumored to provide an AI-generated recap of information from multiple apps, including recent messages received in the Messages app.

New tapback icons: According to rumours, more options may come to the tapback icon. Tapback icons are the options that appear when you long-press on any text. Currently, these options are heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, ‘haha’ question mark, and exclamation mark.

Although all these features are rumored to arrive at WWDC 2024, they should not be completely doubted. However, all the features will be revealed soon.