Aussies robbed of major Apple iOS 18 feature

Apple's update has some good news for those who text with Android users, but Aussies who want to get on board with the new cashless feature are set for disappointment. (Apple/Getty)

Apple has revealed major changes are coming with the new iPhone iOS 18 update, including how you can text your Android friends and make cashless payments. But that’s not all.

The technology giant took the opportunity to detail how it's going to step up its artificial intelligence offering, dubbed Apple Intelligence, during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Largely, this is going to impact how Siri will be able to help you day-to-day.

Taking a gander at the wider update, there are a couple of features Yahoo Finance thought will be of interest for Aussies, like the changes to text messages, and cashless payments.

But you won't get them all.

Here’s a breakdown of the updates, without the tech jargon.

What changes are coming to Apple Pay’s cashless features?

I felt behind the curve when I was shocked by someone sending me an image via Bluetooth simply touching our phones together.

But that’s what you can expect as Apple Pay makes a change.

The new Tap to Cash feature will allow users to send and receive ‘Apple Cash’ by holding their devices together.

"A quick and private way to exchange Apple Cash without sharing phone numbers or email addresses," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering.

Currently, if you wanted to pay a mate for dinner you could use Osko, but you need their personal details.

However, a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance Australians would not be getting this update.

I guess this is a win for the wave of Aussies calling for everyone to keep a bit of cash in their wallets?

What changes are coming to iMessage?

Australian smartphone users prefer Android over Apple, according to recent reports, and this latest update delivers some good news to those iPhone users confronted with a ‘green bubble’.

Not only will Apple users be able to schedule text messages and create custom, one-of-a-kind emojis or photorealistic AI images with text prompts, if you’ve got a mate with a modern Android, you will soon be able to enjoy features like the three dots when they are typing and ‘tap back’ responses like a thumbs up.

Plus, have you ever noticed your photos or videos send in terrible quality?

That should be amended with the ‘RCS Messaging Support’ update.

The one big thing Apple didn’t go into (which this author thinks should head to the top of their priority list) is when iOS and Android users will be allowed to create group chats.

What are the other big updates in the latest iOS update?

Siri: Apple Intelligence will make Siri a whole lot smarter. Consider how you have to speak to the AI assistant like a robot, this should change.

You will be able to make in-app requests, which sounds boring but, for example, you could ask about a meeting and it will find the time and location from your calendar plus give you a summary of the email your co-worker has sent you about it.

You will also have an optional gateway to ChatGPT, one Elon Musk ain’t happy about.

One example Apple offered up was being able to say: “I have fresh salmon, lemons and tomatoes. Help me plan a 5-course meal with a dish for each taste bud.” Find out more here.

AirPods: Gesture controls will allow you to feel a bit more futuristic by accepting or rejecting a call with just a nod or shake of the head.

App overtake: Apple is making a meal of applications we’ve been forced to download to fulfil the needs it couldn’t.

A couple of examples are:

Password app: Instead of just being a part of the ‘Settings’ section, a new app will be created to organise, store and protect your passwords. Find out more here.

Real-time call transcripts: iPhones will be able to record and create transcripts of phone calls (with everyone notified of course).

Photo editing: You will be able to remove unwanted objects in the background of photos all in the Photos app, which Google phones and many photo editing applications already offer.

Interface changes:

Apps can be grouped by colour and even organised so gaps are allowed on the home screen.

Users will be able to lock or hide apps from their home screen that need FaceID to recover (secret Tinder profile anyone?). This will also stop notifications from popping up at inopportune moments.

Find out more here.

Photos: Apple is spruiking it as the “biggest ever redesign” to help you easily find what you’re looking for in an age where most of us have tens of thousands of images stored.

This includes auto-play options for your carousel images or being able to prompt the creation of a ‘memories’ reel simply by giving a description. Apple Photos will choose the pictures and “craft a storyline”.

This includes changes to the carousel and memories features like auto-play features, along with pinned collections so you can access the things you need faster. Find out more here.

When is iOS releasing and which iPhones can get it?

iOS 16 is expected to go live in July and can be downloaded on iPhone X or later.