iOS 18: Why is Apple’s new Photos app so controversial?

The redesign of Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18 has caused controversy during the beta release for developers and regular users. The new “unified design” is sometimes considered confusing, such as the new functions for sorting, filtering and using so-called collections, some of which use artificial intelligence. In addition, you can sometimes reach your destination in different ways, which confuses users. However, Apple is now backing down again, so some of the innovations will probably not make it to the final version of the app.

Advertisement

Which Apple probably doesn’t do

As Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman points out in his weekend newsletter, this is what it says A “course correction” That applies to iPadOS 18 as well. So the new “carousel” interface is being pushed back; it’s already been removed in the latest beta. Instead, albums have come back to the top, saved content can be found more quickly and overall the app relies less on complex filters.

Still, it makes sense to take a closer look at the settings. This means you can sort and organize where different sections – for example pictures from the last few days, “pinned collections” or people and animals – end up in the interface. What’s not wanted can also be hidden. However, the overall navigation via the aforementioned “unified design” remains: there are no longer separate tabs for different areas. This is likely to be frustrating, especially at first, because you have to scroll more – at least it feels that way.

iPhone 16 rumors: 2 TB for the first time – and an optimistic Apple

Better sorting in Photos – and new search

New sorting options that are very useful have been retained. The new “Utilities Collection” includes handwritten documents, invoices, images, QR codes, documents, duplicates, imports, recently edited photos, and more.

Apple has also optimized the search. For example, you can formulate queries in natural language and find the combination – “dog outside”. Apple Intelligence also offers a new “Memory Maker”. Retrospectives (or “memories”) of the self generating, which can also be customized. However, Apple Intelligence is not initially active within the EU.

(B.Sc.)