Exploring iOS 18.1 Beta: New Features Unveiled

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

iOS 18.1 Beta 1 Released - What's New? (Apple Intelligence)

Brandon Butch

Jul 29, 2024

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Science & Technology

Well this is a welcomed surprise

  1. Apple released iOS 18.1 Beta 1 to registered developers with iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, focusing on Apple Intelligence.
  2. The update is not available in the EU or China and also includes iPad OS 18.1 Beta 1 and Mac OS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 1.
  3. Public Beta 2 for iOS 18 and other platforms were also released, but the focus is on iOS 18.1 Beta 1 and Apple Intelligence.
  4. The update size is just under 640 MB, and the build number is 22B57P, indicating more development is needed before the final release.
  5. iOS 18.1 is expected to be released publicly in October, following the release of iOS 18.0 in mid-September.

Apple Intelligence waitlist & onboarding

  1. Apple Intelligence is the main new feature in iOS 18.1.
  2. The first change is found in the settings under Siri, where there is a toggle for Apple Intelligence.
  3. Upon first installing the update, users must join an Apple Intelligence waitlist.
  4. After joining the waitlist, a splash screen appears, detailing new tools for writing, creating personalized images, and expressing oneself in new ways.
  5. The splash screen also highlights a new era for Siri and groundbreaking privacy features.
  6. The waitlist process is quick, taking about 30 seconds, and then the download begins immediately.
  7. Once downloaded, users can turn on Apple Intelligence and go through a tutorial on how to use the new features.

These Writing Tools are insane!

  1. Apple Intelligence features are integrated into applications like Messages and Notes in iOS 18.1.
  2. The new writing tools include options such as proofread, rewrite, friendly, professional, and concise.
  3. Users can create summaries, key points lists, and tables from selected text.
  4. The tools allow for multiple rewrites to adjust tone and professionalism.
  5. Users can revert to the original text or retry for different results.
  6. The tools are particularly useful for emails and other written communications.

Summarize Safari pages

  1. You can use writing tools in Safari to select and summarize text from web pages.
  2. By selecting text and tapping on the writing tools popup, you can access various features similar to those in the Notes app.
  3. These features include summarizing the text to get key points, rewriting, proofreading, and making the text more professional or concise.
  4. The summarization feature provides a relevant summary that captures the gist of the article without including every detail.
  5. These tools can be used not only on text you type but also on text from other sources.

RIP Grammarly! Proofreading

  1. Apple has introduced a new proofreading tool in iOS 18.1 Beta 1 that competes with Grammarly.
  2. This tool can automatically proofread text and suggest changes, such as correcting unnecessary punctuation, adding missing words, and replacing incorrect punctuation marks.
  3. For example, it corrected unnecessary punctuation, added the word 'do' in a sentence to make it grammatically correct, and replaced an exclamation point with a question mark.
  4. These corrections were not detected by the default iOS autocorrect, highlighting the advanced capabilities of the new tool.
  5. Users have the option to accept the changes, revert to the original text, or revert all changes made by the proofreading tool.

New Siri UI & Sound!

  1. iOS 18.1 introduces a new Siri user interface (UI) that looks particularly impressive against dark backgrounds.
  2. The new Siri UI includes visual elements that move in response to the user's voice, enhancing the interactive experience.
  3. A new sound has been introduced for Siri, providing a fresh auditory experience for users.
  4. In addition to the new UI and sound, Siri now features a new animation when responding to user queries.

Siri is still dumb

  1. Siri's intelligence has not improved with iOS 18.1, and it is not considered Siri 2.0, which is expected in 2025.
  2. The update includes a new user interface (UI) and a flipping animation for Siri.
  3. There is an option to provide feedback on Siri's performance within the new UI.

New Trigger & Animation for Type to Siri

  1. A new feature in iOS 18.1 allows users to interact with Siri by tapping on the bottom bar, which lights up with a slick animation.
  2. Tapping the bar again pulls up Siri, enabling users to type their queries with a new interface and a moving gradient background.
  3. The animation is visually appealing, transitioning from a dark screen to the Siri interface smoothly.
  4. Users need to tap the bar twice to activate Siri, after which they can type their questions and receive immediate responses.

Mail Summaries using Apple Intelligence

  1. Apple Intelligence feature allows summarizing emails automatically.
  2. A 'summarize' button appears by default at the top of the email.
  3. Tapping the button generates a brief summary at the top of the email.
  4. The feature works for both newsletters and regular emails.
  5. Users can provide feedback on the summary by tapping three dots.
  6. Summaries also appear as notifications on the lock screen.

Phone Call Recording

  1. iOS 18.1 Beta 1 introduces phone call recording with Apple Intelligence.
  2. When you initiate a call, a new icon appears in the top left corner of the screen.
  3. Tapping the icon sends an audible prompt to the other person, notifying them that the call will be recorded.
  4. An animation appears with the option to take notes on the call, and the call is recorded.
  5. After the call, a transcript of the conversation is provided.
  6. You can stop the recording at any time without ending the call.
  7. The 'view saved call' option allows playback of the recorded call and viewing of the transcript.

New AI Setting

  1. A new option for Apple Intelligence Report is available in the Privacy and Security settings. This feature is enabled by default and allows users to report durations, which can be adjusted from 15 minutes to 7 days.
  2. The bigger emoji keyboard has returned in iOS 18.1, making emojis larger and easier to see. Additionally, M Emoji is now integrated into the emoji keyboard, eliminating the need for an add-on.
  3. Several Apple Intelligence features are missing in iOS 18.1 Beta 1, including Gen Emoji and Image Playground, which allow users to create custom emojis and generate images. Chat GPT integration and priority notifications are also not available in this beta version.

This has returned

  1. Apple has released iOS 18.1 Beta 1 to registered developers, introducing Apple Intelligence for the first time.
  2. Apple Intelligence can detect which notifications are most important and prioritize them on the lock screen.
  3. Siri 2.0, which will include smarter Siri with onscreen awareness and in-app actions, is not yet available in this beta.

Performance & Battery Life on iOS 18.1

  1. Performance on iOS 18.1 Beta 1 is very similar to previous iOS 18 betas, with no significant changes expected.
  2. A Geekbench 6 test showed a single-core score of 2818 and a multi-core score of 6882, which is slightly lower on single-core but slightly higher on multi-core compared to iOS 18.0 Beta.
  3. Battery life is expected to be slightly worse in iOS 18.1 Beta 1 due to the additional processes running in the background, such as Apple Intelligence and data feedback to Apple servers.
  4. The user will report back in a future Apple weekly episode to confirm if the battery life is indeed worse and to discuss any new features discovered.

iOS 18.1 Release Date

  1. iOS 18.1 is not expected to be released to the public until October.
  2. There will be approximately two months of beta testing for iOS 18.1.
  3. The next iOS 18.1 beta release is anticipated around the week of August 12th.
  4. The current focus is on iOS 18.0, the regular version.

iOS 18 Beta 5 Release Date

  1. iOS 18 Beta 5 is anticipated to be released the week of August 5th, possibly on August 5th or 6th.
  2. The public beta version should be available within 24 to 48 hours after the developer beta release.
  3. Apple is not expected to delay the public beta release as much as they did with Beta 2.

iOS 18.1 will be for all devices (not just 15 Pro)

  1. iOS 18.1 Beta 1 is currently available only for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Apple is focusing on testing and getting feedback on the new Apple Intelligence features with these devices.
  2. In later beta versions, other devices might be included in the testing phase. However, the final public release of iOS 18.1 will be available for all devices, as has been the case in previous years.
  3. iOS 18.1 Beta 1 introduces several new Apple Intelligence features, with more expected to be added in future betas and versions of iOS 18.
  4. The update is considered surprising and amazing due to the new features it brings. Users are encouraged to subscribe to stay updated on future Apple Intelligence features.