Exciting New Features for Apple Services This Fall: Explore Hikes, Redeem Rewards, and Enjoy a Redesigned Fitness+ Experience

By DaMarko Webster

This fall, Apple is set to enhance its user experience with the release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18. The updates bring a host of new features to Apple Maps, Apple Pay, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+, aiming to enrich the services users rely on daily.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, stated:
“So many of our users rely on Apple services throughout their day, from navigating their commute with Apple Maps to making easy and secure payments with Apple Pay, to curating playlists with Apple Music. We’re excited to give them even more to love about our services, like the ability to explore national parks with hikes in Apple Maps, redeem rewards or access installments with Apple Pay, and enjoy music with loved ones through SharePlay in Apple Music.”

Explore the World with Apple Maps

Apple Maps introduces new ways to explore with hikes and custom walking routes. Users can now access thousands of hikes across U.S. national parks, filtered by length, elevation, and route type, and save them for offline use. Custom walking routes can be created with a few taps, perfect for planning local exercise routines or full-day tours in new cities. Additionally, users can save their favorite hikes, custom routes, and places in a new Places Library, adding personal notes for future reference.

Greater Flexibility with Apple Pay

Apple Pay now offers more flexibility and choice for online and in-app purchases. Users can view and redeem rewards and access installment loan options from eligible credit or debit cards when making purchases. These features will be available in supported markets for any Apple Pay-enabled bank or issuer to integrate.

• Rewards: Available in the U.S. with Discover, Synchrony, and across Apple Pay issuers with Fiserv.
• Installments: Rolling out in Australia with ANZ, Spain with CaixaBank, the U.K. with HSBC and Monzo, and the U.S. with Citi, Synchrony, and issuers with Fiserv. U.S. users can also apply for loans directly through Affirm when checking out with Apple Pay.

Apple Pay can be used on any third-party web browser and computer by scanning a code on the iPhone for secure payments. Additionally, Tap to Provision allows users to add eligible cards to Apple Wallet by tapping the card to the back of their iPhone.

Redesigned Apple Fitness+ Experience

Apple Fitness+, available with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and tvOS 18, has been redesigned to enhance its workout and meditation offerings. New features include:

• For You: Personalized recommendations for workouts and meditations.
• Explore: Helps users discover new activities and get inspired.
• Library: Easy tracking of favorite workouts, meditations, Stacks, Custom Plans, and saved programs.
• Search: Quickly find specific activity types, trainers, durations, and favorite music artists.
• Awards and Streaks Reminders: Now prominently displayed.

In the Fitness app on iPhone, personalized Fitness+ recommendations appear in the Summary tab, integrating seamlessly with Activity and Workout data to help users find their next great workout or meditation.

Apple’s latest updates aim to make its services more intuitive and enjoyable, helping users navigate, pay, listen, and stay fit with greater ease and personalization.