Enhanced Messaging Functionality
With this update, Apple further enhances its business messaging capabilities by incorporating RCS (Rich Communication Services). As a reminder, this messaging protocol enhances compatibility between iPhones and Android devices and offers significant improvements over traditional SMS messages.
RCS will introduce several iMessage-like features to iPhone and Android communications, such as read receipts, typing indicators, and high-quality images and videos (finally)… It will also be possible to share one’s location within chat threads and to send messages over both cellular and WiFi networks.
Apple has added new carriers to the iPhone system: Telenet (Belgium), Proximus (Belgium), BASE (Belgium), TracFone (USA), and C Spire (USA). In France, only SFR currently offers this compatibility, with Orange, Bouygues Telecom, and Free still in the process of deployment. To check if RCS is activated, simply go to Settings > Messages > under the SMS Service section, and check the RCS Service
option.
Bug Fixes
Furthermore, this iOS 18.1 update also addresses several existing bugs, including the notorious issue with the iPhone 16 mentioned yesterday. This problem caused freezing and random reboots of the iPhone, occurring up to twenty times a day. Neither system reinstallation nor standard exchanges would fix it, as it was clearly a software issue with iOS 18.
– An issue in podcasts where unplayed episodes were marked as played.
– An issue with videos recorded in 4K 60.
– An issue with digital car keys not allowing vehicles to be unlocked or started.
Exploring Apple’s Upcoming Systems
Of course, all the new features are showcased in our various videos, starting with iOS 18 (the list is extensive, with Apple cataloging nearly 250 new functions of varying significance).
The iPad’s system also gets a makeover with the introduction of the Calculator app (finally) paired with Mathematical Notes, new features for the Notes app, numerous customization options with a cutting-edge Control Center. The Photos app has been revamped!
For macOS Sequoia (System Settings > Software Update), you’ll find the new Passwords app, Mathematical Notes, more responsive native applications (Safari, Mail…), the ability to organize your windows in a mosaic, and updates in Maps and Weather…