Apple iPhone reportedly getting more powerful OneNote alternative with iOS 18

Rumors have been circulating for months that iOS 18 will be one of the biggest iPhone updates of all time, with newer models such as the iPhone 15 in particular receiving a range of new AI features. AppleInsider has just learned that the popular Notes app is also being fundamentally overhauled in order to better compete with OneNote.

The app already allows users to not only save text, but also photos and screenshots, as well as scan documents with the iPhone's camera. iOS 18 is expected to integrate the Voice Memo app into Notes, allowing users to start an audio recording at the touch of a button, which can then be placed directly into a note along with other content, such as text describing the content of the voice recording. This recording will automatically sync via iCloud with all compatible iPhones, iPads and Macs, provided they are already running iOS 18 or macOS 15. The user interface of this feature is intended to be adopted from Apple's Voice Memo app with only a few changes.

Apple is also said to be working on a feature called "Math Notes", which integrates the calculator app directly into the Notes app. While the exact functionality of this feature is not yet known, AppleInsider assumes that mathematical formulas will be recognized and calculated in the Notes app in the future, similar to what is already the case with Microsoft OneNote. More details on the new Notes app and the other new features of iOS 18 are likely to be revealed at the WWDC keynote on June 10.