# iOS 18: Thrilling Features Postponed Until 2025 and Beyond
As Apple prepares for the launch of iOS 18.2, iPhone users are keenly looking forward to a variety of new functionalities that aim to elevate the iOS experience. Nonetheless, not all the advancements initially scheduled for iOS 18 will debut this year. Several significant features have been postponed until 2025, with some possibly being deferred even longer. Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect, what’s been postponed, and the implications for Apple users.
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## **Features Postponed Until 2025**
While iOS 18 brings remarkable updates, some of the most awaited features have been delayed. Below is an outline of what’s on pause:
### 1. **Personal Context Understanding**
Apple is developing a feature that would enable Siri to deliver personalized responses by scrutinizing on-device information such as emails, messages, photos, calendar entries, and documents. This functionality, driven by Apple Intelligence’s semantic index, aims to enhance Siri’s contextual awareness. Regrettably, this feature is now anticipated to be launched in 2025, likely as part of iOS 18.4 or a later version.
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### 2. **In-App Actions**
Siri is poised to become more dynamic, with the capacity to execute hundreds of new tasks in both Apple’s native applications and third-party apps. Activities such as photo editing, note-taking, and more will soon be enabled through voice commands. However, complete access to this capability will not be available until 2025.
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### 3. **Onscreen Awareness**
One of the most thrilling updates is Siri’s capability to engage with content on your display. For instance, if a friend texts you about a new cafe, you could request Siri for directions right from the discussion. This feature, which promises to make Siri more intuitive, has also been postponed until 2025.
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### 4. **Apple Intelligence Expansion**
Currently, Apple’s AI-driven features face limitations regarding language and regional support. The company intends to broaden Apple Intelligence to more countries and languages, but this expansion is expected to coincide with iOS 18.4 in 2025.
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### 5. **Sketch Style in Image Playground**
The Image Playground app by Apple is crafted to provide creative tools for animation and illustration. Although the Sketch style feature is already present in the Image Wand app, its incorporation into Image Playground has been postponed. Users will need to wait until 2025 to use this functionality.
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### 6. **Integration with Other Large Language Models (LLMs)**
At present, Apple supports ChatGPT integration for its Writing Tools. Future enhancements will allow iOS to be compatible with other LLMs, such as Google’s Gemini. This expanded compatibility is expected in 2025, further enriching Apple’s AI ecosystem.
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### 7. **New Emojis**
Apple typically introduces new emojis a few months subsequent to a major iOS update. If the company adheres to its customary schedule, iOS 18.4 in 2025 could unveil a new set of emojis, providing users with additional ways to express themselves.
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### 8. **Robot Vacuum Cleaner Integration**
Apple is elevating smart home capabilities by facilitating robot vacuum cleaners’ integration with the Home app. This feature will enable users to incorporate their vacuum cleaners into automation routines and activate them through Siri. Although this update is anticipated to launch with iOS 18.3 in early 2025, it exemplifies Apple’s postponed yet ambitious plans.
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## **The Bigger Picture: Siri and Apple Intelligence**
While these features are promising, they underscore a wider concern regarding Siri and Apple’s AI infrastructure. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Siri’s foundational technology is outdated in comparison to modern generative AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Apple is making progress in enhancing Siri’s capabilities, but the delays indicate that the company is still striving to catch up in the AI competition.
Gurman remarks that although these updates will render Siri more user-friendly, they do not signify the comprehensive rework the assistant requires. Siri’s existing architecture restricts its ability to rival more advanced AI systems, and a complete overhaul might be necessary to transition it into the generative AI age.
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## **What’s Next for iOS 18?**
In spite of these postponements, iOS 18.2 will still provide a range of new features to iPhone users. Apple continues to refine its operating system, concentrating on incremental enhancements while establishing the foundation for more substantial changes in the future.
For now, users can anticipate updates such as:
– Enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities.
– Improved Siri design and functionality.
– Bug fixes and performance enhancements.
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## **Wrap-Up**
The delayed features of iOS 18 emphasize Apple’s dedication to delivering refined, innovative updates, even if it means requiring additional time.
