Weekly Review 24: WWDC24, iOS 18, Apple Intelligence, Vision Pro in EU and more

It’s been a particularly busy week for Apple full of new announcements. During WWDC 2024, we were introduced to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and tvOS 18. We also got a taste of Apple’s vision on artificial intelligence through the announcement of Apple Intelligence.

Last week we paid extensive attention to these new topics. We can imagine that you have missed some details due to all the fuss surrounding WWDC, so you will find a summary of all our publications below.

During WWDC 2024, Apple took an important new step in the field of artificial intelligence, the company Apple Intelligence announced. A personal intelligence system for Mac, iPhone and iPad that combines the power of generative models with the user’s individual context, resulting in AI that is both useful and relevant.

Although Apple Intelligence is included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, the AI ​​features won’t be added in English (US) until late this year or early next year. We list Apple’s AI plans for you and explain what you can expect.

Thanks to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can use a lot of new features and apps on your iPhone or iPad. This includes a new control panel, customizable home screen, extensive calculator, new photos app and more.

But there are still some useful new features in the iOS update that Apple did not discuss during the various announcements or on their information page. Below you will find an overview of all the new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 features.

Would you like to test iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10 or tvOS 17? Then you no longer have to wait for the public beta. For years, access to the beta and developer software was only available to users who had a paying developer account for €99 per year. Apple has now adjusted this.

During WWDC 23, Apple made some membership changes. So you now have a free and paid developer account. Via the free account it is already possible to download the test versions for the software and use Xcode.

For users who have been using Apple products for decades, it may be a bit of a pill to swallow. The name Apple ID will disappear from your Mac, iPhone and iPad after more than twenty years. For early Apple users, this may be a sentimental moment. With the release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and watchOS 11, Apple ID will be renamed to Apple Account.

Apple aims to provide users with a more consistent login experience across all Apple services and devices. The name Apple Account is simply a better choice because of the large number of different services that Apple offers nowadays.

The Vision Pro has been exclusively for sale in the US since February 2, but that will change soon. Apple has announced that the Apple Vision Pro will be available in more countries and regions starting June 28, including Europe.

Unfortunately, Apple’s spatial computer will not immediately appear in the Netherlands or Belgium, but it will appear in surrounding countries. The Vision Pro will be available from July 12 in Germany and France, among others. Instructions in the software also indicate this. The Apple Vision Pro has a starting price of 3,999 euros in Europe. In a separate article we explained how you can buy the Vision Pro as a foreigner.