What’s New in Apple’s Latest Third-Round Developer Betas
Apple has once again pushed the envelope of innovation with its third round of developer betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. These updates are filled with thrilling new features, including upgraded Apple Intelligence capabilities that aim to elevate user experience significantly. Below, we delve into some of the most significant new enhancements and additions.
The Power of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s on-device AI technology, lies at the core of the new functionalities introduced in these latest betas. The updates offer two remarkable tools: a “Clean Up” feature in the Photos app and a “Notification Summarization” option that improves how you manage notifications across various applications.
Clean Up Tool: A Photographer’s New Best Companion
The Clean Up tool within the Photos app stands to revolutionize the experience for users who enjoy capturing moments and perfecting their shots. The tool utilizes Apple’s cutting-edge generative AI to help you effortlessly eliminate unwanted objects from your photographs. This functionality is available on devices powered by Apple’s M1 chip or newer, including the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the latest iPads and Macs.
Users can interact with the tool by tapping, circling, or brushing over unwanted elements in a photo. Once selected, the AI will erase the object and fill the area around it to create the illusion that it was never there. This feature is designed to be user-friendly and can even autonomously identify potentially unwanted objects. To enhance user experience, photos altered using the Clean Up feature are clearly marked, and any modifications can be reversed to restore the image to its original form.
Notification Summarization: Stay Informed, Stay Focused
In our fast-paced environment, handling notifications can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where Apple’s new Notification Summarization feature comes into effect. This Apple Intelligence-driven tool streamlines your notifications into brief, informative summaries that showcase right on your Lock Screen.
Originally available for the Mail and Messages apps, this beta release has now broadened the availability to a wider array of system and third-party applications. Users can personalize which apps they wish to summarize via a new setup interface in the System Settings menu. This feature is a great asset for those aiming to simplify their digital experiences by concentrating solely on the most essential updates.
macOS Sequoia: A New Era of App Management
While the Clean Up and Notification Summarization functionalities are accessible across Apple’s platforms, macOS Sequoia 15.1 brings a distinct improvement: the option to install App Store applications directly onto an external drive. This feature is especially beneficial for Mac users with constrained internal storage, particularly those with 256GB capacities.
External Drive Installation: A Storage Solution for Mac Users
The new setting enables macOS to automatically install applications exceeding one gigabyte on an external drive, provided that one is attached. Lesser applications will continue to be installed on the internal drive. This system-specific feature marks a significant advancement, as it not only alleviates storage constraints but also eliminates the former requirement of having free space that equals twice the size of an application for installation.
This enhancement is a part of a larger suite of features in macOS Sequoia, which also incorporates Safari Highlights and Math Notes in the Calculator app. These updates are anticipated to be accessible to the public in the Fall of 2024, with Apple Intelligence features following in a subsequent release.
Conclusion
Apple’s third round of developer betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 represents another leap forward in the company’s dedication to innovation and enhancing user experience. The rollout of the Clean Up tool and Notification Summarization feature underscores Apple’s commitment to leveraging AI to streamline daily tasks and boost user productivity. Meanwhile, macOS Sequoia’s new external drive installation capability offers a practical solution for users seeking to manage their storage more effectively. As these features progress, Apple users can anticipate an even more fluid and intuitive ambiance across all their devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which devices are compatible with the new Apple Intelligence features?
The new Apple Intelligence features, which include the Clean Up tool and Notification Summarization, are only available on devices that support Apple’s latest AI technology. This includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the latest iPads and Macs that are equipped with the M1 chip or newer.
2. How does the Clean Up tool operate in the Photos app?
The Clean Up tool employs Apple’s on-device generative AI to eliminate unwanted objects from your images. Users can tap, circle, or brush over an object to make it vanish. The AI fills the surrounding area so that it seems as if the object was never present. The modifications can be undone, and the edited photos are clearly marked.
3. What is Notification Summarization, and how can I customize it?
Notification Summarization simplifies your notifications into easy-to-read summaries that appear on your Lock Screen. You can customize which apps are included in these summaries by navigating to System Settings > Notifications > Summarize Previews. The feature supports both system applications and third-party apps.
4. Can I install macOS Sequoia apps directly onto an external drive?
Yes, with the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.1, users can install App Store applications larger than one gigabyte directly onto an external drive. This capability is particularly useful for Mac users facing limited internal storage.
5. When will these features be released to the public?
The new features, including the Clean Up tool, Notification Summarization, and external drive installation, are projected to be made available to the public in the Fall of 2024. Apple Intelligence features will debut in a later update.
6. How do I revert modifications made by the Clean Up tool?
If you’re not satisfied with the alterations made by the Clean Up tool, you can effortlessly undo the changes and revert the image to its original state. The Photos app keeps track of the original image, allowing for adjustments as necessary.
7. Is the Notification Summarization feature compatible with third-party applications?
Yes, the Notification Summarization feature is compatible with both system apps and third-party applications. Users can select which apps to include in the summaries through the Notification settings in the System Settings menu.
