Apple Intelligence Beta Hands-On | Incredibly USEFUL Features!

Introduction

Apple has officially released the latest iOS 18.1 Beta, introducing users to an array of impressive features centered around Apple Intelligence. In this article, we take a hands-on look at some of the standout capabilities currently available in this developer beta release. It’s important to note that not all features are available yet, and the beta is exclusive to developers at this time.

Writing Tools

One of the most significant features in this beta is the Writing Tools. This tool allows users to select any text for proofreading, detecting spelling and grammatical errors. Additionally, users can rewrite the entire selection by choosing from tones such as friendly, professional, or concise. The Writing Tools also provide functionality for summarizing texts, extracting key points, and creating lists or tables.

Revamped Siri

The new look Siri has been introduced, featuring a glow around the edges of the screen when activated. This updated design is available across all Apple devices, including iPads, Macs, and Apple CarPlay. Users can now utilize a new type-to-Siri interface by double-tapping at the bottom of the display. For example, typing “8 a.m. alarm” will automatically set an alarm for the desired time. Additionally, Siri can maintain context across follow-up questions and accommodate mid-sentence changes in commands.

Contextual Assistance

Siri can also handle multi-step commands—for example, if you ask to set a timer for 10 minutes but change it to 5 minutes mid-request. It can even provide instructional support for various tasks, such as scheduling a text to be sent later.

Mail App Enhancements

The Mail app introduces a summarized button that can condense incoming emails, allowing users to view summaries in the notification center and inbox list, rather than just the opening lines. The Smart Reply feature generates contextually relevant quick responses to received emails. Furthermore, there are priority notifications in emails, which have been tested primarily on the iPad.

Messages and Photos Features

In the Messages app, Smart Reply options are available for incoming texts, analyzing messages to suggest appropriate responses. Meanwhile, the Photos app allows users to generate new memory movies simply by providing a description, intelligently selecting relevant photos and songs.

Enhanced Search Capabilities

Users can also search for specific moments within video clips and receive smart suggestions in other applications like Notes. In these apps, audio recordings can be transcribed, and a summary generated, making it particularly useful for lectures and meetings.

Call Recording

A noteworthy addition includes the ability to record phone calls. When initiating a call, users can tap the record button, with all participants receiving a notification that recording is in progress. These recordings are stored in the Notes app, where users can access written transcriptions and keyword-based search capabilities.

Focus Mode Improvements

iOS 18.1 introduces a dedicated reduced interruptions Focus mode that filters notifications to allow only the most important alerts through. There’s also a toggle for intelligent breakthrough and silencing, which prioritizes crucial notifications.

Safari Enhancements

Finally, when reading articles in Reader mode on Safari, there’s an option for Apple Intelligence to summarize the article automatically.

These features signify a tremendous leap forward in enhancing user productivity and improving interactions with Apple devices. Stay tuned for future updates, including the rollout of additional features such as Gen Emoji and others!

Keywords

Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 Beta, Writing Tools, Siri, Mail, Smart Reply, Photos, Call Recording, Focus Mode, Safari.

FAQ

1. What is Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 Beta? Apple Intelligence refers to advanced features designed to enhance user productivity and interaction across Apple devices.

2. How can I access the iOS 18.1 Beta? The iOS 18.1 Beta is currently available only for developers. Public access may follow in subsequent releases.

3. What are Writing Tools in this beta? Writing Tools allows users to select text to proofread for errors, rewrite it in different tones, and summarize it effectively.

4. Can Siri maintain context between requests? Yes, Siri in iOS 18.1 Beta can remember the context of previous requests to provide relevant responses.

5. Are phone calls recordable in this version? Yes, users can record phone calls with the app notifying all participants involved.

6. What improvements are made to the Mail app? The Mail app now includes features like Smart Replies, email summaries, and priority notifications.

7. Is there a Focus mode to reduce interruptions? Yes, iOS 18.1 introduces a Focus mode that filters notifications to allow only important alerts while silencing others.