Apple shared the iOS 18 beta release notes on its developer website last week, revealing some smaller changes related to FaceTime, Siri, and the Wallet app.


iOS 18 is currently in beta for Apple Developer Program members, with a public beta to follow in July. The update should be widely released in September.

FaceTime

Apple says FaceTime will use more data in power saving mode on iOS 18 when network conditions are good, for better video call quality.

Siri

iOS 18 includes a new setting that Apple says can “significantly” improve Siri’s audio quality in Bluetooth-enabled vehicles without CarPlay.

The new option can be found in the Settings app under Siri → Siri Responses → “Respond via media source.” The description for this setting says that “Siri responds via A2DP car stereos, which is ideal while listening to media from your phone.”

Wallet

As Nicolás Álvarez noted, the notes indicate that users who add an ID to the Wallet app on iPhone may now be prompted to take a Live Photo instead of, or in addition to, performing a series of main and facial movements. Apple says the Live Photo will be evaluated by the device to ensure the real and rightful person is adding the ID.

Apple first announced the ability to add a driver’s license or ID to the Wallet app in 2021, but so far only four US states have rolled out the feature, including Arizona, Maryland, Colorado and Georgia. The feature provides a convenient and contactless way to display ID or proof of age at select airports, businesses and locations.

Popular stories

iOS 18 adds these 5 new features to CarPlay

Apple didn’t mention CarPlay during its WWDC keynote this week, but iOS 18 includes a handful of new features for the in-car software. Overall, there isn’t much new for CarPlay on iOS 18, with the changes so far seemingly limited to the Messages and Settings apps. Below we summarize everything that’s new for CarPlay on iOS 18. What’s new for CarPlay on iOS 18 1. Contact photos in the Messages app…

Kuo: Apple Watch Series 10 will have a larger screen and a thinner design

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this year’s Apple Watch Series 10 will be thinner and have larger screen sizes than previous models. In his latest industry note -10-and-98075c44ce92″>shared on Medium, Kuo says that the screen size options on the next-generation Apple Watch will increase from 41mm to 45mm and from 45mm to 49mm, while being encased in a thinner design .As a reference,…

Apple is developing thinner MacBook Pro, Apple Watch and iPhone

Apple plans to slim down the MacBook Pro, Apple Watch and iPhone, with the new ultra-thin M4 iPad Pro, a sign of the company’s new design trajectory, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. When the M4 iPad Pro was unveiled last month, Apple touted it as the company’s thinnest product yet, even comparing it to 2012’s iPod nano to emphasize its slim dimensions. Writing in the latest…

You can rename Siri with iOS 18’s vocal shortcuts

Apple added a Vocal Shortcuts accessibility feature in iOS 18, and now that iOS 18 is available in beta, users have discovered that this option can be used to give Siri a new wake word. Vocal Shortcuts lets you assign a custom phrase that Siri can understand to launch shortcuts and perform “complex tasks,” and one of the shortcuts you can set is an alternative to “Hey…

Here’s what’s new in Apple Wallet on iOS 18 for event tickets and more

iOS 18 includes a handful of improvements to the Wallet app on iPhone, with new features for Apple Pay, Apple Cash, event tickets, and more. Below, we outline everything that’s new for the Wallet app on iOS 18, based on information from Apple’s press release and a WWDC 2024 coding session. Redesigned Event Tickets Event tickets have a brand new design in the Wallet app on iOS 18, completely…