Apple WWDC 2018: iOS 12 to include 'Digital Health' feature to help fight iPhone addiction

Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, which begins on June 4, is rumored to introduce new software updates for iPhones, iPads, Macs and much more. However, reports suggest that the company will most likely not unveil new hardware during the event.

Instead, the iPhone maker will release a new ‘Digital Health’ initiative which will include tools that can help iOS users check how much time they spend on their devices. According to a report by Bloomberg, these details will be bundled into a menu inside of the Settings app in iOS 12, the likely name of Apple’s refreshed mobile operating system, according to people familiar with the plans. Additionally, the company will also introduce tools for tracking the stock market.

The report also points out that the new iOS 12 will feature an mproved, more advanced version of Apple’s ARKit augmented reality platform as well. “As part of new software called "ARKit 2.0" internally, the company has been planning a new mode that would let users play AR games against each other in the same virtual environment”, mentioned Bloomberg.

There are other rumours around WWDC 2018 as well. The upcoming version of Apple's mobile operating system could bring new NFC features, enabling iPhones to open hotel rooms and even car doors. A report from The Information suggests that such features could be part of the iOS 12 unveiling set to take place at Apple's WWDC next week.

Apple first brought NFC chips to its devices with the iPhone 6, giving users the ability to pay with their phones via Apple Pay but that was more or less it. Then with iOS 11, the Cupertino, California-based tech company allowed third-party apps to access the NFC chip but with limited access. The user's iPhone would need to be unlocked and the app in the foreground for them to gain access to NFC, which in some cases defeats the point of being quick. In that same amount of time a user could usually open a wallet and pull out a card.

According to The Information, Apple is in discussions with Cubic, a company that makes transit cards, in regards to replacing such cards with iPhone NFC technology. In some cities in the UK, Japan and the US, commuters can already pay transport fares using either an NFC chip or FeliCa Chip (found in the iPhone 7, 8 and X).

If Apple further opens up this technology and invites developers to provide various solutions to everyday issues, iPhone users could potentially reduce the number of items they carry in their pockets. It's not clear what exactly will be part of the iOS 12 announcement, whether the brand will reveal preferred partners for using the tech or whether it will be a more preliminary launch.