iOS 18.1 Beta 3: A Deep Dive into New Features and Enhancements
Apple has been busy releasing new betas across its software ecosystem. While iOS 18.0 betas focused on stability and performance, iOS 18.1 beta 3 has introduced a wave of exciting new features and improvements, notably in Apple Intelligence and iPadOS 18's tab bar. Let's explore these enhancements in detail.
Apple Intelligence Takes Center Stage
Clean Up in Photos
Say goodbye to unwanted photobombers and distractions. The new Clean Up feature in the Photos app allows you to effortlessly remove objects from your images. Simply select the Clean Up option within the photo editor, then tap, brush, or circle the elements you want to eliminate. The feature intelligently suggests objects for removal, making the process even faster and more intuitive.
AI Notification Summaries for All Apps
Notification summaries have been expanded beyond Messages and Mail, now available for all apps in iOS 18.1 beta 3. This feature uses AI to provide concise summaries of notifications, giving you a clearer understanding of their content without needing to open the app. You have full control over which apps use summaries.
US Region Restriction Removed: Previously, Apple Intelligence was restricted to users with their device region set to the US. This limitation has been lifted in beta 3. As long as your device and Siri's language are set to US English, you can access Apple Intelligence regardless of your location. However, it's important to note that Apple Intelligence remains unavailable in the EU and China due to regulatory constraints.
New Setup Walkthrough: Upon installing beta 3, you'll be greeted with a new setup walkthrough that guides you through the various iOS 18.1 features, including Apple Intelligence and notification summaries. You can choose to set these features up immediately or postpone them for later.
iPadOS 18 Tab Bar Gets a Boost
The new tab bar introduced in iPadOS 18 has received mixed reviews due to inconsistent implementations across apps. In iPadOS 18.1 beta 3, Apple has addressed this by providing enhancements that make the tab bar more versatile and customizable. Apps like Apple Music and Apple News now offer additional options for adding playlists, folders, and publications to the tab bar, improving accessibility and navigation.
macOS 15.1 Beta 3: Download Flexibility
macOS 15.1 beta 3 brings a significant change to the Mac App Store. Previously, strict download size limits were enforced. Now, you have the option to download apps larger than 1GB directly to an external drive, offering greater flexibility, especially for Macs with limited internal storage.
Conclusion
iOS 18.1 beta 3 showcases Apple's commitment to refining its software and expanding the capabilities of Apple Intelligence. The new features and enhancements across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS promise a more intelligent, user-friendly, and customizable experience. While some of these improvements may make their way into the final iOS 18 release, others might remain exclusive to iOS 18.1. Stay tuned for further updates as Apple continues to polish its software ahead of the official launch.
Remember: These features are currently in beta and may change or evolve before the final release. It's always recommended to back up your device before installing beta software.
