The New iOS 12 and WatchOS 5 Features I'm Excited About (WWDC 2018)
**WWDC 2018: Chris’ Reactions to iOS 12, watchOS 5, and More**
---
### Introduction
Hey, it's Chris! I'm here at WWDC in San Jose, and this is my first time attending. It’s been an incredible experience so far—super exciting, and the keynote was absolutely awesome. However, I almost didn’t make it here because I got sick yesterday. But looking back, getting sick turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it gave me some extra time to reflect on everything that was announced.
I want to make sure I don’t just create a video that’s just an announcement of the announcements. Instead, I want to take my time and share my thoughtful reactions from the perspective of someone who is hardcore about Apple products. There’s so much to cover this year, so I think I’ll break it up into two parts. In part one, I’ll focus on my reactions to iOS 12 and watchOS 5, and in part two, I’ll share my thoughts on macOS Mojave and the new Apple TV updates.
---
### Sponsor Plug
Before diving in, I want to shout out one of the sponsors that helped make this video possible: Pluggable. Their new Thunderbolt 3 dock is a game-changer for MacBook or tablet users who are constantly plugging and unplugging multiple devices. The dock features an anodized aluminum enclosure with a sleek black bezel design, which can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. Plus, it supports uncompressed 4K at 60Hz monitors. I love how this thing looks on my desk, and it’s way more convenient than dealing with multiple cables. If you want to check them out, the link is in the description below.
---
### iOS 12: Performance Improvements
Let me kick things off by talking about something that might seem boring but is actually super important—performance improvements in iOS 12. For instance, an iPhone 6 (and even older devices) will now be able to launch apps 40% faster and open the camera app shortcut 70% faster. While many people were disappointed that Apple didn’t announce any new hardware this year, these performance updates are huge for a lot of users. They’re essentially making older devices feel like new again, which is something a lot of people will appreciate.
---
### Screen Time: Reducing Phone Addiction
One feature I’m really excited about in iOS 12 is **Screen Time**, which aims to help us be less addicted to our iPhones. As a tech reviewer, I know firsthand how easy it is to spend hours scrolling through my phone from sunup to sundown. With so many notifications and apps screaming for your attention, Apple’s focus on this issue is much-needed.
**Screen Time** provides detailed insights into how you’re using your phone. It breaks down which apps you’ve used the most—both individually and by category (like games or social media). You can view this breakdown anytime, and at the end of the week, you’ll get a recap of how you spent your time. Additionally, you can set limits on how long you want to spend using certain apps. If you reach your limit, you have the option to request more time, but it’s a great way to become more aware of your usage and take control of your digital habits.
---
### Enhanced Do Not Disturb
Building on the theme of digital wellbeing, **Do Not Disturb** is getting an upgrade. You can now enable it for specific times, like an hour or until you leave your current location, or even at the end of an event (like a meeting). This feature is perfect for helping you stay focused and avoid distractions when you need it most.
---
### Group Notifications: A Game-Changer
Another feature I’m super excited about is **group notifications**—something people have been asking for forever. With iOS 12, all notifications from the same app will now be stacked together, allowing you to interact with them all at once. For example, if Twitter sends you 50 notifications, you can dismiss or respond to them all in one go instead of dealing with each one individually.
This is a huge quality-of-life improvement, especially for those who receive a lot of notifications throughout the day. It’s efficient and helps keep your phone feeling less cluttered.
---
### Quiet Notifications: Customizing Your Experience
Along the same lines, **quiet notifications** are another feature I’m excited about. With this option, you won’t get any buzzes or vibrations for certain apps—instead, notifications will simply appear in your notification center when you check it. This is great if you want to stay aware of updates but don’t want constant interruptions throughout the day.
These features allow you to fine-tune your digital life and tailor your experience to what works best for you.
---
### FaceTime Gets a Major Upgrade
FaceTime is getting a major update in iOS 12, too. While we’re all used to making calls with one person, Apple is introducing **group FaceTime calls**—up to 32 people at once! This is mind-blowing, and while I’m not sure who would actually use that many people on a call, it’s an exciting new feature nonetheless.
What’s even cooler is the rumored ability to join or listen in using just audio on your Apple Watch. If you’re somewhere where you can’t show your face, this could be incredibly useful for staying connected during important conversations.
---
### Siri Shortcuts: Automating Your Life
Another feature I’m really excited about is **Siri shortcuts**, which some people have compared to the popular automation app IFTTT (If This Then That). With Siri shortcuts, you can create a series of actions and trigger them with a specific word or phrase. For power users or tech enthusiasts, this is going to be huge—making your life even more efficient and customizable.
While regular users might not use it as extensively, there’s no doubt that this feature will make things more powerful for those who embrace it.
---
### AR Improvements: The Future of Apple
Moving on to another big topic: augmented reality (AR). While the dual AR experience might not be something I personally see myself using much, what excites me is the progress Apple is making in this space. For example, if you and a friend have iPads, you can both interact with the same objects or games in the same environment. Even people who aren’t participating can watch along.
While AR glasses are likely years away, seeing Apple invest in AR is a strong indicator of where the company is heading. I’m eager to see how this technology evolves in the future.
---
### New Emojis and Memoji: Customization on Steroids
iOS 12 also introduces some fun new features like **Memoji**, which are customizable emojis based on your face. You can tweak details like skin color, hair, eyebrows, and even eye color to create a truly unique emoji that represents you. Plus, you can superimpose this Memoji over live video for an extra layer of fun.
While traditional emojis might only be used during the first week after their release, I have no doubt that Memoji will see much more use because of how customizable and personal they are.
---
### watchOS 5: Enhancing Productivity and Wellness
Now, let’s shift over to **watchOS 5**, which is packed with exciting updates. One feature I’m most excited about is the improved **Siri watch face**. Last year, Apple announced this concept, and it was already impressive—but now it’s getting even better.
The updated Siri watch face gives you access to live sports scores, commute times, heart rate tracking, and more. For example, if you just got off work, your watch can automatically show your driving-home playlist. This integration is seamless and perfect for keeping you connected to the things that matter most.
---
### Enhanced Notifications on Apple Watch
Another big win for watchOS 5 is enhanced notifications. Like iOS 12, notifications are now stacked by app, making it easier to manage them all at once right on your wrist. For instance, if you need to check in for a flight, you can do so with just one tap—no more swiping through multiple alerts.
What’s even better is that you don’t have to say “Hey Siri” anymore when raising your wrist. Your watch will now recognize when you’re speaking, which is a small but significant improvement for everyday use.
---
### Web Content on Apple Watch: A New Level of Convenience
I also love the fact that **WebKit** has been optimized for the Apple Watch. This means you can now view web content—like images or other media—on your watch. While it might not seem like a big deal, this is a step forward in making the Apple Watch even more versatile and functional.
---
### Fitness and Competition Features
Of course, Apple continues to focus on fitness with the Apple watch, which is great for users who prioritize health and wellness. One feature I’m particularly excited about is the ability to start fitness competitions with friends over a seven-day period. Turning exercise into a game makes it more fun and motivating.
Also, if you’re like me and love productivity tools, I have some sad news: **Apple Notes** isn’t coming to the Apple Watch this year. As someone who uses Notes heavily for scripting videos, taking notes, and developing content strategies, this is a bit of a letdown. For now, I’ll stick with Drafts, but I’m hoping Apple brings Notes to the watch in a future update.
---
### Closing Thoughts
That’s part one of my WWDC coverage! I’ve covered iOS 12, watchOS 5, and even included a shout-out to Pluggable for their amazing Thunderbolt 3 dock. There’s still macOS Mojave and Apple TV updates to cover, so stay tuned for part two!
If you have any thoughts or reactions to the features I’ve discussed here, drop them in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram and Twitter (@dailytechser) for more updates and giveaways.
Until next time, keep those notifications coming—but maybe not too many at once!