Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently revealed that the iOS 18 operating system will greatly enhance the Control Center. He claims these upgrades will be the most substantial redesign since the introduction of iOS 11 in 2017. The Control Center, accessible by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen on iPhone X and later models, will now offer a customizable layout and support for a multi-page display, according to IT Home and other reliable sources.
iOS 18 Control Center Upgrades
Customizing Button Layout
The redesigned Control Center will allow users to rearrange or remove buttons through the Settings app, providing a more personalized experience. Currently, users can only adjust the lower half of the Control Center, which includes controls such as the flashlight, low power mode, and more. The new layout will enable users to customize the entire Control Center, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Multi-Page Display Support
Mark Gurman, a reliable source from Bloomberg, has confirmed that the revamped Control Center will support a multi-page display. This feature will allow users to adjust control options more flexibly, providing a more comprehensive and organized interface.
New Music Controls
Gurman also revealed that the revamped Control Center will include a new music widget, expected to span the entire width of the Control Center and feature more visual elements like album art in the default view. This upgrade will enhance the overall music experience within the Control Center, making it more engaging and interactive.
Significance of the Update
The anticipated overhaul of the Control Center in iOS 18 marks a significant departure from the current setup. For many years, this center has largely remained the same, and it is time for a change. The new design will provide users with greater control over their device settings and offer a more streamlined interface for managing various functions. This update is expected to be the biggest redesign of the Control Center since its inception, reflecting Apple’s ongoing efforts to improve user experience and enhance overall functionality.
Timeline for Release
Apple is scheduled to unveil iOS 18 during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on June 10, 2024. Following the presentation, the first beta of iOS 18 is expected to be released to members of the Apple Developer Program. The public release of the update is predicted to occur in September, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 16 line.
History of iOS Control Center
The Control Center in iOS has undergone significant changes since its introduction in iOS 7. The feature, designed to provide quick access to various device settings and functions, has evolved to include new features and improvements with each major update.
Early Years (iOS 7-9)
Control Center was first introduced in iOS 7, released in 2013. It featured a single-paged slide-up panel with a blurred background, providing a layer of translucency over the content below. The design remained largely the same until iOS 10 when it morphed into a card-like design with a white background. It was also separated into three separate cards accessible by swiping horizontally.
Major Redesign (iOS 11)
The Control Center received a significant redesign in iOS 11, released in 2017. The unified design allowed users to 3D Touch (or long press on devices without 3D Touch) the icons for additional options and vertical sliders enabled users to adjust volume and brightness. This redesign also made Control Center customizable via the Settings app, allowing for a wider range of settings features to be shown.
Subsequent Updates (iOS 12-16)
Since then, the Control Center has continued to evolve with each major update. iOS 12 introduced new additions such as Do Not Disturb being updated to allow 3D Touching or long pressing the icon to access a menu of preset durations of a Do Not Disturb session. In iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the Control Center received new additions like sleep tracking, sound recognition, and a Shazam toggle. In iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Control Center received a new Focus option and a new Keyboard Brightness option. Finally, in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Control Center’s sound recognition Shazam feature integrated its history with the main Shazam application’s history instead of the histories being separated.
However, all the additions to the Control Center after iOS 11 were just minor. They made the center more seamless for users. With iOS 18, the upgrade is a major focus point and marks a significant departure from previous updates.
Conclusion
The upcoming iOS 18 update promises to revolutionize the Control Center experience on Apple devices. With a customizable layout, users will be able to rearrange or remove buttons through the Settings app, offering a more personalized experience. The multi-page display will enable users to adjust control options more flexibly, providing a more comprehensive and organized interface. The new music widget will enhance the overall music experience within the Control Center, making it more engaging and interactive.
The redesigned Control Center will provide users with greater flexibility and control over their device settings. This update marks a major milestone in the evolution of the Control Center and reflects Apple’s commitment to continually improving user experience. These upgrades represent a major shift from the current setup, offering users a more streamlined interface for managing various functions on their devices.