Apple confirms iPhone upgrade with 2 key new features is here in a few days

The next developer beta of iPhone software, iOS 18, is coming soon: Monday, June 24, to be exact. And, unusually, we have this release schedule from Apple itself, made in a statement that also talked about Apple Intelligence and the fact that it won’t be released in the EU this year.

Apple almost never gives these kinds of details, although the timing, two weeks after the first beta, is very fast and ahead of some beta versions at this point. Here’s what’s coming.

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The statement was made by Apple to The Verge on Friday, June 21, as part of explaining why Apple Intelligence will be delayed in the EU due to the recent Digital Markets Act.

Apple has again said that Apple Intelligence will be available for beta testing this summer, for users whose language is American English and with the EU caveat. But this Monday’s update will include two key features.

Mirroring iPhone

It’s really cool. If your iPhone is in your bag, you can still use it on your Mac, for example, and interact with it as easily as if it were in your hand. iPhone notifications appear on the Mac and when you click one, the iPhone appears on your Mac screen.

You can then control it with your keyboard or the Mac’s trackpad, by swiping between home screens or interacting with apps. And you’ll be able to drag and drop files between devices, although that will come later.

SharePlay screen sharing

It’s also very interesting. It already exists in iPadOS 17 but is currently being upgraded. In the new iPadOS 18 version, you will be able to draw on your iPad screen and what you draw will appear on your friend’s device. This applies to iPhones because you can draw on their iPhone screen as well as their iPad screen. And, even cooler, you can request permission to remotely control their device. This is something I’ve wanted for a long time, especially to help friends or family members who aren’t sure how to do something on their Apple device.

Apple Intelligence won’t arrive on Monday, but will be with us this summer, and the public beta of new versions of the operating system will probably land in July.

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