iOS 18.1 Beta 1 - 20+ Apple Intelligence features - everything new!

Introduction

Apple has released the iOS 18.1 Beta, introducing the first phase of Apple Intelligence, including an all-new Siri. Here's a detailed look at everything new in this release.

Installation

To install the iOS 18.1 Beta, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. This version is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in the US.

Initial Setup

Joining the Waitlist

Upon initial setup, you'll need to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. This can be found under Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Tapping this will show you a splash screen detailing Apple Intelligence's new tools, privacy aspects, and a join button.

New Siri Interface

Invoking Siri

The new Siri UI surrounds the edge of the phone, reflecting the bezel's design when you press the side button and volume buttons. New features include:

• Feedback Button: Allows you to share feedback about your Siri experience.
• Type to Your Assistant: Double-tap the screen's bottom edge to type your requests.

Contextual Understanding

Siri now better understands context. For instance, after asking, "What time is it in Guatemala?" you can simply follow up with, "What about in Chicago?"

Proofreading and Writing Tools

Initial Tools

Apple Intelligence offers an impressive proofreading utility. For example, you can transform a poorly written paragraph into a polished one with the Proofread tool.

Writing Tools Options

• Rewrite: Allows you to recompose text in various styles such as Friendly, Professional, and Concise.
• Layouts: Provides different layouts like summary, key points, list, and table.

Privacy and Feedback

Apple Intelligence Report

Under Settings > Security and Privacy > Apple Intelligence Report, you can check how Apple uses your data, including whether it's using a specific model or private cloud compute requests.

Updated Feedback App

A new feedback app lets you rate your experience with Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence Assistant Focus

Reduced Interruptions

A new focus mode uses AI to decide which notifications to allow or silence based on intelligent breakthroughs.

Enhanced Email and Messaging

Summarized Message Preview

In the mail app, a new AI feature provides summarized message previews instead of showing the first few lines, cutting straight to the chase.

Priority Messages

AI now highlights what it thinks are your most important messages.

Summarized Messages in Messages App

Similar to email, the Messages app now includes summarized messages, providing a concise overview of long threads.

Quick Replies

AI-crafted quick replies in both mail and messaging apps offer prompt response options, tailored to the context of the message.

Photos App: Describing a Memory

Creating Movie Memories

In the Photos app, you can describe a memory, such as "mountain," and AI will craft a movie with relevant pictures and sound.

Enhanced Search

Subject Highlighting in Photos

When searching for specific subjects, blue lines will highlight where the subject appears within the frame.

Call Recording

Recording Feature

During calls, you can press a button to start recording. Participants will be notified, and the audio will be saved along with a transcript in the Notes app under a new Call Recordings folder.

Keywords

iOS 18.1 Beta, Apple Intelligence, Siri, iPhone 15 Pro, US, Waitlist, Siri UI, Feedback, Type Requests, Contextual Understanding, Writing Tools, Proofreading, Privacy Report, Feedback App, Focus Mode, Email Summarization, Summarized Messages, Quick Replies, Photos Memory, Enhanced Search, Call Recording.

FAQ

1. How do I install iOS 18.1 Beta?

Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max in the US.

2. What is the Apple Intelligence waitlist?

It's a feature you need to join during initial setup under Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri to access new AI tools.

3. What new features does Siri have in iOS 18.1 Beta?

New UI, contextual understanding, type-to-assistant feature, and a feedback button for sharing user experience.

4. How does the proofreading tool work in the new iOS?

It analyzes and corrects text, providing styles like Friendly, Professional, and Concise, and supports various layouts.

5. What privacy features are included?

An Apple Intelligence Report under Settings > Security and Privacy lets you monitor how your data is used.

6. What does the new focus mode do?

It uses AI to intelligently decide which notifications to allow or silence based on the context.

7. How is email handling improved in iOS 18.1 Beta?

AI provides summarized message previews and highlights priority messages for quick insights.

8. Can the Photos app create memory movies?

Yes, it can create movie memories based on a description you provide.

9. How does the enhanced search work in Photos?

When searching for a subject, it highlights portions of the photos where the subject appears.

10. Does iOS 18.1 Beta have a call recording feature?

Yes, you can record calls with participant notifications, and the audio along with transcripts are saved in the Notes app.