iOS 18: A Compilation of Features Inspired by Android

Apple's latest operating system, iOS 18, has garnered much attention for its slew of new features. While some of these enhancements are truly innovative, it's worth noting that a significant number of them are strikingly similar to features that have been available on Android devices for some time. In this article, we'll delve into the key features of iOS 18 that bear a striking resemblance to their Android counterparts.

1. Interactive Widgets

iOS 18 introduces interactive widgets that can be placed on the home screen. These widgets allow users to perform quick actions directly from the home screen, such as opening apps, controlling music playback, and viewing calendar events. While interactive widgets are a welcome addition to iOS, it's important to acknowledge that they have been a staple feature on Android devices for many years.

2. Lock Screen Customization

iOS 18 brings forth the ability to customize the lock screen with widgets, live wallpapers, and other elements. This level of customization is reminiscent of Android devices, which have long offered users the flexibility to personalize their lock screens to their liking.

3. Focus Modes

Focus modes in iOS 18 are designed to help users stay focused on specific tasks by filtering out distractions and notifications. This concept is similar to the "Do Not Disturb" modes found on Android devices, which allow users to silence notifications during specific times or under certain conditions.

4. Live Captions

One of the most notable features of iOS 18 is Live Captions, which generates real-time captions for videos and audio content. This feature bears a strong resemblance to Live Caption, which has been available on Android devices since Android 10.

5. Haptic Keyboard Feedback

Haptic keyboard feedback in iOS 18 provides a subtle vibration when users type, offering a more tactile experience. This feature is reminiscent of the haptic feedback found in Android keyboards, which has been a mainstay on Android devices for many years.

6. Crash Detection

iOS 18 boasts a new Crash Detection feature that utilizes the device's sensors to detect if a user has been in a car crash. If a crash is detected, the device will automatically contact emergency services and share the user's location. This feature is similar to the Crash Detection feature found in Google's Pixel devices, which was introduced with the Pixel 3.

7. Weather App Redesign

The redesigned Weather app in iOS 18 features a more detailed and user-friendly interface. This redesigned app bears a striking resemblance to the Weather app introduced in Android 12, which also featured a similar design and functionality.

8. Passkey Support

iOS 18 introduces Passkey support, which allows users to sign in to websites and apps without using passwords. This feature is similar to the password manager functionality found in Android devices, which has been available for several Android versions.

9. Photo Picker Redesign

The Photo Picker in iOS 18 has been redesigned to make it easier for users to quickly find and select photos and videos. This redesigned picker is reminiscent of the Photo Picker introduced in Android 12, which also featured a similar design and functionality.

10. Spatial Audio with Head Tracking

iOS 18 brings forth Spatial Audio with head tracking to provide a more immersive audio experience. This feature is similar to the Spatial Audio feature found in Android 13, which also offers head tracking capabilities.

Conclusion

While iOS 18 includes a number of innovative features, it's evident that Apple has drawn inspiration from Android for many of its latest enhancements. The interactive widgets, lock screen customization, focus modes, live captions, haptic keyboard feedback, crash detection, weather app redesign, passkey support, photo picker redesign, and spatial audio with head tracking are all features that have been available on Android devices for some time. Whether or not this is a good thing is a matter of opinion, but it's clear that Android has had a significant influence on the development of iOS 18.