Apple may add AI-powered Emoji generation and app icon customization with iOS 18: report

Apple is reportedly planning some major new features for the iPhone with the iOS 18 update. The Cupertino-based tech giant is expected to unveil the new operating system at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 scheduled for June 10. A new report now claims that the company could introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based custom emojis that will be displayed based on what the user sends. Users can also get an app icon customization feature that will allow them to change the color of the app icons as they see fit.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple is set to introduce several new iPhone features with iOS 18. While many of these features may use artificial intelligence, some of them will also add more customization to the existing interface. Speaking first about the AI ​​feature, Gurman claims that custom emojis could be introduced at WWDC 24.

It is reported that iOS 18 will get its own emoji based on artificial intelligence

AI features have become a talking point for Apple. It was previously reported that the company will add AI-based conversational skills to Siri. Now Gurman says iPhone users will also see AI features when they type in the messaging app. iOS 18 may introduce its own AI-powered emojis that will go beyond the existing emoji library that users receive.

Explaining how the feature might work, the report claims that custom emojis can be created automatically based on what the user inputs. For example, if a user types “Happy Diwali,” the AI ​​will be able to understand the text and suggest unique emojis related to the Indian festival. The report did not mention whether there will be any guidelines to prevent people from abusing the feature and creating lewd emojis.

iOS 18 is said to introduce customizable app icons

The iPhone’s home screen is also reportedly getting a major upgrade. Apple may ditch the standard app grid that’s been around since the first iPhone and let users place app icons wherever they want. In addition, users can also change the color of app icons.

The latter can help group similar programs. For example, all social media apps can be changed to one color for easy identification. The ability to place icons anywhere will also allow users to be creative and set icons according to their preferences. This and more could be available for iPhone on June 10 when Apple officially unveils iOS 18.