Experiment with Apple's Intelligence Functionality Immediately on the iOS 18 Beta Test Version
Getting ready to unveil the new iPhone lineup, Apple quietly releases the iOS 18.1 Beta 3, providing a sneak peek into the future with Apple Intelligence integrated. This update introduces AI features that Apple showcased at WWDC, such as Clean Up in Apple Photos and Notification Summaries, which utilize AI to streamline your daily life. Apple Photos now allows you to transform photos by summarizing scenes, plus you can customize album orders.
Join the Apple Intelligence beta and install it on your iPhone to give these intriguing AI features a whirl. Enroll your device by visiting Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and then sign up for the waitlist.
Exploring Apple Intelligence
While the newly added Notification Summaries have yet to land in my inbox, I can provide initial impressions of the overhauled Siri interface that's now more intuitive. Instead of a pop-up bubble, the screen itself lights up, signaling Siri’s activation. It seems to effectively distinguish between when I'm talking to it and when I'm uttering Siri's name for other purposes. You can also stop by the bottom of the screen and type your requests to Siri with a double-tap.
Apple's mapping app, Maps, has received a boost with AI-powered features as well, offering features like Priority Messages and Smart Reply. Priority Messages surfaces the emails that need your attention, while Smart Reply assists in sending one-handed email responses.
Mastering Apple Photos Clean Up
Apple Photos' Clean Up feature boasts similar functionality to Google Photos' Magic Eraser yet operates differently. These tools aim to simplify photos by eliminating distracting elements. With iOS 18.1, you can take advantage of the Clean Up feature solely through the Photos app.
Begin by opening the Image Edit menu under Clean Up, then swipe over to access the function. Apple's AI detects potential distractions in the photo and highlights the areas that can be erased. Although it may occasionally overdo it, there's no harm in undoing or redoing your edits as you navigate the photo. You may even choose to circle and select custom areas for AI to focus on.
I introduced the Clean Up feature to a few photographs, including WWDC's fireside alongside iJustine, AI head John Giannandrea, and Apple's SVP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi. The Clean Up struggled to reproduce Giannandrea's chair pattern while managing to erase my shadow and Tamagotchi bag charm triumphantly. The third attempt managed to remove background elements, like coats and other items, impressively — albeit not flawlessly.
Like Magic Eraser, Apple's Clean Up performs optimally with simpler subjects and backgrounds. Although it isn't an innovation, Apple's adaptation of such functionalities bolsters iOS's overall offerings for its users.
Precisely what more Apple Intelligence has in store remains to be unveiled at the iPhone launch event in September. As we continue to explore iPhones' AI-infused features, be ready for updates on what this new masterpiece has in store for its avid fans.
- The upcoming iPhone lineup is set to leverage advanced tech and technology, with the iOS 18.1 Beta 3 introducing AI features like Clean Up in Apple Photos and Notification Summaries, which are powered by Apple Intelligence.
- To experience these intriguing AI features firsthand, enroll your iPhone in the Apple Intelligence beta by visiting Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and then signing up for the waitlist.
- The Clean Up feature in Apple Photos, utilizing AI, operates differently from Google Photos' Magic Eraser, allowing you to erase distractions in photos, although it may occasionally overdo it, allowing for undoing and redoing of edits.
- The E36145c94f16808b13ddb7229430539a update, a part of iOS 18.1, introduces various AI-powered features, such as Priority Messages and Smart Reply, to Apple's mapping app 'Maps.'
