What are the advantages of using cell configuration?

The advantages of using cell configuration, as discussed in the WWDC sessions, include:

1. Automatic Updates: When configurations are applied to a cell, they automatically update for the cell's configuration state. This means that properties will automatically match the style of the list, reducing the need for manual updates when the appearance changes. This is particularly useful in iOS 18, where the new list environment trait in the configuration state's trait collection ensures that configurations update their properties to match the list style.

2. Simplified Code: The use of cell constructors for content and background configurations simplifies the code. For example, the Files app uses the cell constructor for content configuration and the new list cell constructor for background configuration, which greatly simplifies the function that updates the appearance based on the issidebar variable.

3. Consistency Across Platforms: Configurations are supported across all platforms, including iOS and macOS. This ensures a consistent experience and behavior of configurations across different devices.

4. Enhanced Customization: Configurations allow for enhanced customization options. For instance, in Quick Look, configurations enable users to switch between different colors or variants of a product within a single file, making it easier to explore different options without needing multiple files.

5. Synced Across Participants: In the context of FaceTime calls, configurations are synced between all participants, ensuring that everyone sees the same configuration, which is particularly useful for collaborative scenarios.

For more details on cell configurations, you can refer to the session What’s new in UIKit (09:49).

Relevant Sessions

1. What’s new in UIKit
2. What’s new in Quick Look for visionOS