Apple Seeds First iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia Public Betas With Apple Intelligence

Thursday September 19, 2024 10:46 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released the first public betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October launch.

apple intelligence black
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 updates by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option.

iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta features Writing Tools, Siri changes, summaries, and smart replies. Note that to use ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or M-series Mac or iPad.

Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text.

‌Siri‌ has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to ‌Siri‌ means you don't have to speak to ‌Siri‌ to get answers. ‌Siri‌‌ can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications.

Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos.

All iOS 18.1 users can now access phone call recording and transcribing, with recorded calls saved in the Notes app, but summarizing phone calls from those transcriptions is an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature. Today's update also brings spatial photo capabilities to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and Pro Max.

More on all of the features that are available in the betas right now can be found in our Apple Intelligence guide. Image Playground, Genmoji, and other new ‌Siri‌ features have not yet been implemented.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

vertsix

13 months ago

Kind of embarrassing how the headlining feature of the new iPhones is not shipping with the new iPhones.

Just wait until you have to explain that to the normies who saw the new Siri glow and other marketing.

Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jz0309

13 months ago

Sucks for all of us with unsupported phones. We're probably going to get next to nothing new for the foreseeable future as everything they release is going to be Apple Intelligence based. Just watch as every new feature going forwards is going to "require" Apple Intelligence.

It's a pretty **** move to all of us that purchased 14 Pros. I would have held off another year if I would have known the phone was going to essentially be cut off after two years.

Hogwash. Why do you think you’re entitled to new features?
Your 14 will continue to do everything the same as the day you bought it, with all features that were announced/available and you’re getting new features too, eg password app, RCS support just to name a couple

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

outz

13 months ago

You bought your phone based on its feature set at the time. If you base your decision on what software will be available in 2 years, the only person to blame is the one staring back at you in the mirror.

Apple Intelligence is one of the few "heavy" features that requires minimum hardware specs to run well. Would it run on your 14 Pro? Probably, but with compromises that would fuel even more complaints.

I understand the point about buying a device for its current features, I respectfully disagree with the overall sentiment.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a high end device that's only two years old. Many consumers invest in premium products with the reasonable expectation of continued software support and feature updates. Apple has traditionally been good about supporting older devices with new features when possible.

Regarding the hardware requirements, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has the A16 Bionic chip, which is still a very capable. Without real concrete information regarding the specific hardware needs for Apple Intelligence, it's a bit premature to assume it couldn't run well on this device.

The timing of the feature release compared to new hardware announcements feels like it could be more about marketing strategy than technical limitations. Releasing a new phone before the feature is even available, then restricting the feature to only the newest models, seems to push consumers towards unnecessary upgrades.

No one is entitled to every new feature indefinitely, but I think it's fair for consumers to express disappointment when relatively recent, high end devices are excluded from significant software updates. It's not just about what was promised at purchase, but also about perceived value and longevity of premium products.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

AppleTO

13 months ago

Sucks for all of us with unsupported phones. We're probably going to get next to nothing new for the foreseeable future as everything they release is going to be Apple Intelligence based. Just watch as every new feature going forwards is going to "require" Apple Intelligence.

It's a pretty **** move to all of us that purchased 14 Pros. I would have held off another year if I would have known the phone was going to essentially be cut off after two years.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)