Apple rolls out iOS 18.1 beta with Apple Intelligence: Key features

Apple Intelligence iOS 18

Apple has rolled out iOS 18.1 beta version for registered developers. This is a significant update as it marks the initial rollout of Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI-driven features set to change the iPhone experience for users.

While developers now have the opportunity to explore and test these new capabilities, Apple has yet to announce a public beta release timeline.

It's important to note that iOS 18.1 is currently limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as these are the only models equipped to harness the full potential of Apple Intelligence.

The iOS 18.1 beta introduces a range of AI features across various core applications. With iOS 18.1 beta, Apple is introducing a redesigned Siri experience featuring  glowing light that encircles the screen during active interactions. Users now have the flexibility to engage with Siri through either voice or text commands. Expanding its capabilities, Siri offers device support across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, providing answers to how-to questions related to Apple devices.

Furthermore, Siri demonstrates improved understanding by following along even when users stumble over words and maintaining context across multiple requests.

In the Mail app, a new inbox interface prioritises urgent emails like dinner invitations or boarding passes at the top, while providing concise summaries of all emails without requiring users to open them. Enhanced Smart Reply offers quick response suggestions and identifies questions within emails to ensure complete replies.

Users can enhance their writing across various platforms with tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarising text.This functionality extends to popular apps like Mail, Notes, and Pages, as well as many third-party options.

In the Photos app, users can now search for specific photos using natural language and give prompts like “river rafting in Rishikesh”. Video search allows users to pinpoint exact moments within clips, while the Memories feature empowers users to create personalised stories by simply describing the desired content.

Apple Intelligence can also analyse photos and videos to automatically generate a storyline with chapters and a narrative arc based on the provided description.

Also read: Namaste, iOS 18: Six India-specific features coming soon for iPhone users