AI was undoubtedly the most talked about feature both leading up to and atApple’s 2024 WWDCkeynote. However, there’s one feature I – and according to Apple – many other iPhone users are excited about that has nothing to do withAI. After years of Android users enjoying the luxury, Apple finally announced its rolling out scheduled messages as a part of itsiOS 18update. The ability to schedule iMessages will allow users to compose a message and save it to deliver at the later date and/ or time you choose.
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Nodding to answer a phone call or shaking your head to decline can either be a massive help or inconvenience.
Whether that be a work-related message you don’t want to bother a boss or colleague with that 3am breakthrough, want your best friend to receive a “Happy Birthday” text message right at midnight without having to stay up, or simply want to come back to the message a bit later, iPhone Message’s ‘schedule send’ promotes both convenience and consideration.
The schedule and send Message feature, along with the other iOS 18 iMessage updates will be available later this fall. Users can also download thebeta versionfor early access.
More iOS 18 iMessage updates
Adds personality
In addition to the schedule send feature, iOS 18 also gives Messages a boost in personality, giving users the ability to bold or amplify text to emphasize a specific word. For example, if you wanted to tell your co-worker that you were super jittery after your morning coffee, you could add an effect to the word “jittery.”
Users can also cross words out or underline them to add humor or importance.
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Meanwhile, an existing feature, Tapbacks also gets a boost. With iOS 18, users can use emojis to react to messages, expanding expressions beyond the six existing options.
Since iMessage extends across other Apple ecosystem hardware, these features are available on iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
Message via satellite and RCS
iPhone Messages have a bigger reach
Of course, after much anticipation, Apple addedRCS messaging, which makes for better, easier iPhone to Android communication.
And for when Wi-Fi isn’t available, iOS 18 introduces Message via satellite, which Apple says “immediately prompts users to connect to their nearest satellite right from the Messages app” and includes all the extras like emojis and Tapbacks.
