Apple has recently released the fourth developer betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, focusing on Apple Intelligence features. This new round of betas follows the third set released two weeks ago and includes the first betas of watchOS 11.1, visionOS 2.1, and tvOS 18.1.
Developers can download the updates through the Settings app on compatible devices. Previously, these betas were limited to devices supporting Apple Intelligence, but now they are available for all devices running iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15. However, the Apple Intelligence features still require specific hardware—an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 for iOS, and a Mac or iPad with Apple silicon.
Apple Intelligence offers advanced tools like spell checking, grammar fixing, tone rewriting, and summarization. Siri has also received a redesign, featuring a subtle display glow and the ability to follow along if users stumble over words. With this update, Siri can maintain context between requests. Safari now includes an article summarization feature, and the new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode aims to minimize distractions. In the Messages and Mail apps, smart replies and prioritization of time-sensitive messages enhance user experience.
Additionally, the Photos app now allows the creation of slideshows based on text descriptions and supports recording, transcribing, and summarizing phone calls and audio recordings.
The fourth round of developer betas replaces the previous set introduced on August 28. This round includes build numbers 22B5045g for iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, 22J5543e for tvOS 18.1, 22R5545g for watchOS 11.1, and 22N5548d for visionOS 2.1.
Alongside these updates, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 bring more customization options to the Home Screen and Control Center, a major redesign to the Photos app, and enhancements to the Messages app. Notably, the Messages app now supports RCS for more reliable group messaging. A new app called Passwords is built on Keychain, making it easier to access all user credentials in one place.
iPadOS 18 introduces new features like Calculator with Math Notes and Smart Script handwriting tools for Apple Pencil. It also brings more ways to customize the Home Screen and Control Center and introduces significant updates to the Photos app and Messages.
watchOS 11 offers health and fitness insights, including a feature to identify signs of sleep apnea. The new Vitals app allows users to check key health metrics, and users can measure training load to make informed fitness decisions. The Smart Stack and Photos face use intelligence to offer a more personalized experience.
tvOS 18 introduces InSight, which provides real-time information about actors, characters, and music in Apple TV+ content. The system uses machine learning to enhance dialogue clarity and provides subtitles at the right moments.
macOS Sequoia offers iPhone Mirroring, expanding Continuity by allowing users to access and control iPhone directly from macOS. Safari and the Passwords app have also received significant updates.
visionOS 2 enhances spatial computing experiences for Apple Vision Pro users with new hand gestures and improvements to key apps.
The compatibility for these updates includes iOS 18 for iPhone XS and later, iPadOS 18 for several iPad models, watchOS 11 for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, and tvOS 18 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. macOS Sequoia supports iMac 2019 and later, Mac Studio 2022 and later, and other Mac models from 2018 onwards.
Apple Intelligence will initially roll out in the U.S. in October, with plans to expand to more regions and languages by December. As part of its ongoing development process, Apple continues to release beta versions to gather feedback and make necessary improvements before the public launch.
As always, users are advised not to install these beta versions on primary devices due to the potential for issues that could result in data loss. It’s best to use secondary devices and ensure that critical data is backed up.
Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.
Comments