iPadOS 18.1 Beta 1 | Apple Intelligence has Arrived!

Introduction

Introduction

Hello everyone, it's not often I say this, but I was right about iOS 18.1 and iPad OS 18.1 being released, signifying the debut of Apple Intelligence to an extent. Before we dive into the details, please consider becoming a channel member to support the channel. You get access to awesome wallpapers and other perks like live podcasts, office hours, and more. Now, let's focus on Apple Intelligence on the iPad.

The State of the Beta Update Cycle

The 18.1 beta update marks a significant step in Apple's development cycle. If you're on the developer beta, you now have the opportunity to switch to the 18.1 beta update. However, this means you'd forgo the rest of the 18.0 updates. We got as far as 18.0 Beta 4, but now you can switch to 18.1 Beta 1. Do bear in mind that installing this beta comes with risks, including potential performance issues and bugs. Make sure to install it on a device where data loss won't be detrimental.

Supported Devices and Installation

As of now, the 18.1 beta update is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which have the A17 Pro chip. Unfortunately, this means even the iPhone 15 and the 15 Plus won't be getting Apple Intelligence in this update. However, any M-chip powered iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini will be eligible for updates to macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 18.1 Beta 1. Once installed, you'll experience some—but not all—of the new features Apple has promised.

Installation Process

To install the 18.1 Beta 1, head to the settings, navigate to General, then Software Update. You'll find an option to opt into the 18.1 Beta cycle. Here's a breakdown of the installation size and build number:

• Update size: Approximately 885 MB
• Build number: 22B57p

Make sure you have at least 2 GB of free storage to install the update smoothly.

Apple Intelligence Features

Activation Process

Upon opening the Notes application, a splash screen for Apple Intelligence and Siri will appear. To use Apple Intelligence, you'll need to join a waitlist. This process took about 10 minutes, indicating a quick activation. Once activated, you can turn on Apple Intelligence, access new tools, and use the updated Siri interface.

Interactive Siri

You can interact with Siri via voice or text. For voice commands, you can long-press the home button and ask questions like:

• "Who won the USA basketball game yesterday?"

For text interaction, double-tap the home button and type your query:

• "What's the weather tomorrow?"

Notes Application and Mail Integration

Apple Intelligence really shines in the Notes app, where you can select text, proofread, rewrite, and even summarize it. Similarly, the Mail app now features a "Summarize" button for emails, giving you quick, digestible summaries of lengthy messages.

Context Rules and Limitations

Currently, Siri's context rules are somewhat limited and inconsistent. For example, asking about a sports team's leading scorer might take you to a Wikipedia page, rather than providing a detailed summary. These limitations indicate that while promising, Apple Intelligence is still in its early stages.

Missing Features

Not all touted features are available yet. We are still waiting for gen emojis, playgrounds, advanced mail sections, and more. However, the current update includes exciting new Siri animations and easier access to text-based commands.

Conclusion

Apple Intelligence on iOS and iPadOS 18.1 Beta 1 is an intriguing first step towards a more interactive and intelligent experience. Though it has limitations and is missing several features, the foundation seems promising. As Apple iterates on these updates, we can expect more refinements and added functionalities.

Keywords

• iPadOS 18.1
• Apple Intelligence
• Siri updates
• Developer beta
• Supported devices
• Installation guide
• Notes application
• Mail integration
• Context rules
• Missing features

FAQs

What devices support iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1?

The update supports the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. For iPadOS, any M-chip powered iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini will be eligible.

How do I install the 18.1 Beta 1 update?

Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update, and opt into the 18.1 Beta cycle.

What are the new features of Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence allows for advanced Siri commands, interactive text-based commands, proofreading, rewriting, and summarizing text in the Notes application, along with email summarization in the Mail app.

Are all the promised features available in this beta?

No, features like gen emojis, playgrounds, and advanced mail sections are still missing.

How stable is the 18.1 Beta 1 update?

As it is a beta update, it may have performance issues and bugs. Install it at your own risk and preferably on a secondary device.

When can we expect the full public release?

The final public release is anticipated around October, following multiple beta iterations.