iOS 18 Update

Apple has announced a major software update set to launch in December. The update will introduce new features and enhance the recently released iOS 18. The focus is mainly on the further development of Apple Intelligence, but users in Europe can also expect additional changes.

Apple Intelligence Gets New Features

With iOS 18.2, Apple is expanding its AI-based functions.

Among the upgrades are Image Playground, an app for generating images via artificial intelligence, and Genmoji, which creates personalized emojis using AI.

Additionally, Siri will gain ChatGPT integration, allowing it to handle more complex queries. Several of these features are not yet available in the EU due to regulatory challenges. That said, Apple expects to add support for more English dialects from countries such as Australia, Canada, and the UK.

New Features in Business Connect

Through new capabilities within Apple Business Connect, businesses can sign up to display their brand in the Mail and Phone apps and customize their logo in Tap to Pay on iPhone. Every business — including those that provide a service or operate fully online or without a physical location — can register for Business Connect.

With Branded Mail, businesses can display their brand name and logo in emails to customers, so their emails stand out in the Mail app and are more easily recognizable. Businesses can sign up for Branded Mail today, and their logo will begin appearing to customers later this year.

Any verified business can now create a consistent brand and location presence across apps that customers use every day, including Apple Maps, Wallet, and Mail. Additionally, businesses can now choose to display their logo, rather than a category icon, when accepting payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone, so customers know they’re making a payment to a trusted and verified business.

How to Register

Owners of virtual, online, and service businesses can now use their existing Apple Account — or create a new Apple Account — to register for Business Connect at the self-service website from any cell phone, tablet, desktop, or laptop computer. Once a business has signed up, they can begin to customize their brand for free. Businesses can also manage their location presence at scale through listing management agencies like DAC Group, Rio SEO, SOCi, Uberall, and Yext.

For inquiries about Business Connect, businesses can refer to the user guide or log a ticket with Business Connect support.

The ultraportable new iPad mini, powered by the A17 Pro chip and built for Apple Intelligence, is available today. Starting at just $499 with double the storage of the previous generation, the new iPad mini delivers incredible value and the full iPad experience in an ultraportable design.

Meet the New iPad Mini 

A17 Pro delivers a huge performance boost for iPad mini, unlocking entirely new experiences — including pro apps used by designers, pilots, doctors, and others — and making it faster than ever for users to edit photos, dive into more immersive AR applications, and more. A17 Pro also brings support for Apple Intelligence, the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting user privacy.

Deeply integrated into iPadOS 18, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and Apple-built generative models to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English as a free software update this month with iPadOS 18.1 on the new iPad mini, with more features rolling out in the coming months.

With faster connectivity, users can do even more on iPad mini. The new iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 6E, so users can download files, play games online, and stream movies even faster, and the USB-C port delivers 2x faster wired connections than the previous generation, with data transfers up to 10Gbps.

The 12MP wide back camera on the new iPad mini now supports Smart HDR 4 and uses machine learning to detect and scan documents right in the Camera app.

The versatility and advanced capabilities of the new iPad mini are taken to a whole new level with support for Apple Pencil Pro, and iPadOS 18 brings powerful features that enhance the iPad experience.

Available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, the new iPad mini starts at $499 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $649 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The new iPad mini starts with 128GB of storage — double the storage of the previous generation. The new iPad mini is also available in 256GB and 512GB configurations. For full details, visit apple.com/shop/buy-ipad.

Mid-December release set for iOS 18.2

Apple has committed to releasing its next big wave of software updates, including iOS 18.2, this December.

But by looking at recent history, we can idenfity an even more narrow time frame.

Apple usually follows very predictable patterns with its software updates. For example, here are the days the last three x.2 releases shipped.

• iOS 17.2: Monday, December 11
• iOS 16.2: Tuesday, December 13
• iOS 15.2: Monday, December 13

If the usual pattern holds, the public should see iOS 18.2 launch in mid-December—just a few weeks away.

Apple just started its iOS 18.2 public beta this week, and it’s a very big release that could use as much testing as possible.

Taking into account the Thanksgiving holiday, a launch during December’s first week would mean Apple has very little time left for bug fixes and improvements before release.

Features coming in iOS 18.2 and more

• New writing tools option to ‘Describe your change’
• Localized English support in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK

But there’s more coming in iOS 18.2 and these other updates. The Mail app gets a big redesign on iPhone, visionOS brings huge Mac Virtual Display upgrades, Find My lets you share an item’s location with others, tvOS adds proper projector support, and a lot more.