iOS 18’s Borrowed Features: 5 Ways Android Beat Apple to the Punch

iOS 18 is on the horizon, promising a slew of new features. But while Apple boasts innovation, some of these features are a familiar sight for Android users. Here are 5 examples of iOS 18 borrowing from Android’s playbook:

1. Customizable Widgets: (Widget, Home Screen, Personalization) iOS 18 is rumored to introduce larger and more customizable widgets. This is a feature Android users have enjoyed for years, allowing them to personalize their home screens with informative and interactive widgets.

2. Advanced Notification Management: (Notifications, Quiet Mode, Focus Modes) iOS 18 is expected to refine notification management with new focus modes and automated rules. This is something Android has offered for a while, letting users tailor notifications based on time, location, or app.

3. Multi-Window Functionality: (Multitasking, Split Screen, Picture-in-Picture) While iOS has offered split-screen for a while, iOS 18 is rumored to introduce more advanced multi-window capabilities. Android users have long enjoyed features like picture-in-picture and true multitasking, allowing them to run multiple apps simultaneously.

4. Desktop Mode: (DeX, Continuum, Desktop Experience) Rumor has it that iOS 18 will introduce a desktop mode for iPads, similar to Android’s DeX and Samsung’s DeX. This will allow iPad users to connect to an external monitor and keyboard for a more PC-like experience.

5. Gesture Navigation: (Navigation Gestures, Full Screen, Navigation Bar) Android pioneered gesture navigation, allowing users to control their device with swipes and gestures instead of physical buttons. iOS has gradually adopted these gestures, and iOS 18 is expected to refine this feature further.

While Apple’s iOS 18 promises exciting new features, it’s interesting to note how some of these innovations were already present in the Android ecosystem. This highlights the ongoing competition between the two operating systems, pushing both to constantly evolve and innovate.