Apple Intelligence Set to Debut with iOS 18.1 Release Next Week

iOS 18.1 releases next week, bringing Apple Intelligence to iPhone 15 and 16

Apple Intelligence is finally making its way to compatible iPhones as the latest iOS 18.1 update (containing a host of new features) is expected to be released next week. Since its announcement at this year's WWDC, Apple Intelligence has become one of the most anticipated iOS 18 arrivals. The AI-backed toolset will add all new features to several apps within Apple's ecosystem, with the company promising a "more personal and capable" iPhone than ever before. We've already seen iOS 18 deliver some excellent customization options, a Photos overhaul, and the adoption of RCS in Messages. However, Apple Intelligence will introduce an entirely new wave of features backed by generative AI that is ready to transform the iPhone experience for many. Launching alongside iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, iOS 18.1 will feature the first of several Apple Intelligence features arriving on iPhone. While anticipated features such as Genmojis, the Image Playground, and Siri's major overhaul aren't expected until future versions, iOS 18.1 features several AI-backed writing and productivity tools for you to make use of while you wait. These features include new proofreading and generative rewriting tools for text, the ability to summarize emails and webpages for a bite-size rundown, smart replies in Mail and Messages, notification summaries, and the option to summarize audio transcripts. Outside of the writing tools, iOS 18.1 will also include the option to remove unwanted elements from photos, similar to Google's Magic Editor, the option to record phone calls, and the chance to create "Memory movies" from the contents of your photo reel using a short description. Apple Intelligence is designed to run on Apple's most recent chipsets including the A17 Pro and A18+. A full list of phones that support Apple Intelligence is found below: According to 9to5Mac, once Apple releases iOS 18.1 users may find themselves on a waitlist before they can access the latest Apple Intelligence features. To join the waitlist, users will need to navigate to Settings, choose Apple Intelligence & Siri, and agree to access the new features. While time spent on the waitlist has been short in public betas, a much wider release could cause a longer delay. However, it is possible to download the iOS 18.1 public beta today and sign up for the waitlist early. Doing so requires you to join Apple's Beta Software Program. It's free, and it gives you access to the latest updates ahead of their public release. However, be warned. Beta testing isn't all early access, sunshine, and kittens. Some betas risk potentially damaging your phone or other devices, similar to how iPadOS 18 bricked M4 iPad Pros on release, and how Apple Watch's watchOS 11.1 beta update caused havoc with the company's smartwatches also.

Apple Releases Final iOS 18.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence. How to Download It

Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. With more than a decade of experience, he covers Apple and Google and writes on iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings and more. Apple has released the iOS 18.1 RC to beta testers, as well as developers, ahead of the iOS 18.1 general public release next week. The release next week will bring Apple Intelligence features to the masses, and not just early adopters. However, you can download it right now before then. This iOS 18.1 public beta brings many AI features, including a revamped and smarter Siri, writing tools to help you proofread and rewrite your writing, prioritized email notifications, text message summarizations, smart responses and more. Read more: What Is Apple Intelligence? Everything to Know About iPhone 16 AI Features It's pretty simple to download and install iOS 18.1. All you need to do is sign up on Apple's Beta Software Program website and you'll be on your way to becoming a beta tester from the comfort of your couch. You're probably aware that the iOS 18.1 beta has been available to developers since July. Not everyone wants to run the developer beta because it's for developers and is usually less stable than a public beta. Ultimately, both beta versions are not as stable as the general public iOS 18.1 release. iOS 18, which is available to everyone, brings several new major features and overhauls to the iPhone, including a completely redesigned photo album, text messages via satellite, a dedicated app for passwords, better customization for your home screen, an overhauled control center and support for RCS messaging. iOS 18.1, which is a smaller point update, features Apple Intelligence, a revamped Siri, Genmoji and more. Here's everything you need to know about downloading the iOS 18.1 public beta on your iPhone. Check out: How to Download the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta on Your iPhone You can download iOS 18.1 on any iPhone that supports iOS 18 (full list below), but unfortunately, Apple Intelligence is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the entire iPhone 16 series. You can still get your hands on other non-AI features though. Here's the full list of iPhones that support iOS 18.1 A public beta is typically more stable than a developer beta, but it's still a beta, which means you may deal with bugs and other critical issues that could negatively affect your phone. If you have a spare iPhone in your drawer somewhere, use that to run any iOS 18.1 beta, whether it's the developer or public version. In my personal experience, it's usually fine to run a public beta on your main phone. You may encounter a bug here and there, maybe a function in a third-party app doesn't work exactly as intended because it's not yet optimized for any iOS beta software. It's never crippling, just maybe a little bit annoying, and if you don't mind that, running the iOS 18.1 public beta on the iPhone you use every day shouldn't be a big deal. Also, before you think of updating to iOS 18.1, first update to the latest iOS 18 version (currently 18.0) and then back up your device. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and hit Back Up Now. You should check out our story on how to archive a backup on your computer in case you want to revert to iOS 18. Now that you've backed up your phone, you can download the iOS 18.1 public beta. Here's what you need to do: 1. On your iPhone, go to the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign in (if you're already a member) or sign up for the program. You need an Apple ID of course. If you're signing up for the first time, follow the prompts. 2. Next, tap the iOS tab and you should see more information about the iOS 18.1 public beta. Once your phone reboots, you should be running the iOS 18.1 public beta.

What Is the Release Date for iOS 18.1 and the First Apple Intelligence Features?

After a new major system software version is released, the .1 -- or "dot-one" -- update is usually hotly anticipated. It's the one that fixes bugs and incompatibilities that didn't shake out during the beta testing stages. This year's impending iOS 18.1 release for iPhone carries even more interest, because it's due to deliver the first Apple Intelligence features that Apple previewed during the launch of the iPhone 16. So when can we expect to install iOS 18.1 and start using the features? Apple isn't yet saying, but we can make some educated guesses. Apple said during its September event that the first AI features will arrive in beta form "next month." Now that we're halfway through October, a few signs point to a release before the calendar ticks over to November. Developers or people enrolled in Apple's public beta program can install prerelease versions of iOS 18.1 right now and sign up to test Apple Intelligence. (The technology will also run on iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, but I'm using iOS 18.1 as shorthand to mean all three. As always, be smart about what you're getting into.) The most recent developer beta is the seventh revision, which usually indicates Apple is close to release. The closest piece of specific information is a rumor from frequent Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who says the first Apple Intelligence features will arrive Oct. 28. There have also been rumors of an Apple hardware event happening in late October, but in the same newsletter Gurman now estimates a Nov. 1 date introducing new M4-based laptops, a revamped M4 Mac Mini and an M4 iMac. He also tagged that date for a new iPad mini, which is what Apple announced this week and will start shipping Oct. 23. The outlier here is that Apple's product pages all currently refer to Apple Intelligence coming "this fall," which might indicate that the schedule has slipped out of October. However, I'm going to remain optimistic and consider October still a real possibility. Remember that Apple Intelligence will work only with the following models that are equipped with the A17 Pro or later (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or later (Mac and iPad) processors:

Apple Intelligence release date imminent as iOS 18.1 release version goes live

Apple Intelligence is getting closer to being publicly available on your iPhone. Release candidates for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are available today (October 21). The release builds arrive a week after the beta six versions of each operating system released on October 14. For those who don't know, a release candidate refers to the final pre-release build of software before its full public launch. While the release candidate is stable and ready for use, it doesn't mean that serious bugs won't affect your operating system. It's Apple's final check for anything breakable before release. While Apple hyped its version of AI, Apple Intelligence, with the launch of the iPhone 16, curious Apple fans have had to wait to try it out. As the betas for 18.1 have been released, Apple has slowly added some AI tools to the iPhone. The update also brings out the excellent new Hearing Aid feature to the Air Pods Pro 2, alongside an at-home hearing test for people over 18. You can now sign up for the public or developer betas to try the features, but Apple advises against testing the betas on your primary devices. Other features include writing tools, summarized audio transcripts and email summaries. Not every Apple Intelligence feature Apple has announced is coming to iOS 18 yet, but the first wave is releasing with 18.1. These include new writing tools integrated with every app you can type in, which will summarize text, write for you and proofread what you've written. The clean up tool is being added to the Photos app to remove unwanted objects and people from photos along with a conversational search in the Photos app. Finally, Mail and Notifications are getting AI-powered summaries. Mail and Messages also get smart replies that provide suggested responses, with priority sorting to highlight important messages. As part of iOS 18.1, expect to see a few fixes (spotted by 9to5Mac) to some annoyances within the Photos app, Podcasts and digital car keys. As of this writing, there is no release candidate build for watchOS 11.1, so it looks like Apple Watches might not receive the latest features just yet. The company also released regular updates for iOS 17.7.1 and iPadOS 17.7.1. Last week, when Apple launched the iPad mini 7, the company also announced that the full iOS 18.1 public release would arrive before October ends. However, they didn't provide a specific date. We assume that Apple will officially launch the update on Monday, October 28, or soon after. This would give them about a week to see how the release candidate performs in the wild.

Apple Intelligence arrives with iOS 18.1 next week | Digital Trends

Last month, Apple released iOS 18 right before the launch of iPhone 16. This update introduced several new features, but it did not include the most significant one, Apple Intelligence, which Apple had promised at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. That will change next week. According to The Wall Street Journal and The Verge, which have examined Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 2's hearing health features, iOS 18.1 will arrive sometime next week. Apple had previously said it would launch before the end of the month, and this seems to confirm that. Recommended Videos Updates, including iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, will all contain the first of Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) features that were announced in the spring. Based on the current iOS 18.1 beta, the update will feature three Apple Intelligence features: writing enhancements, photo cleanup capabilities, and notification summaries. The first offers enhanced autocorrect, grammar and spelling checks, and predictive text capabilities that learn your writing style over time. With Clean Up in Photos, you can now use AI to identify and suggest removing duplicate photos, screenshots, and blurry images to free up storage space. With Apple Intelligence's Notification Summaries, you get concise summaries of less important notifications, making it easier to manage notification overload. Along with iOS 18.1, Apple will push out a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2 next week. Once installed, it will allow the earbuds to become clinical-grade hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Other new features likely to arrive next week include sleep apnea detection for the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, Tiktok integration with Apple Music, bug fixes, and more. Additional Apple Intelligence features are expected to launch in upcoming software updates before the end of the year and into 2025. These will include improvements to Siri, new image creation capabilities, ChatGPT integration, improved security, and more. The following iPhones will support Apple Intelligence: the entire iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple Confirms Release Date for iOS 18.1

These New iOS 18 Shortcuts Actions Changed the Way I Use My iPhone Apple has confirmed that iOS 18.1 will be released for compatible iPhone models on Monday, October 28, alongside iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. Apple has confirmed the iOS 18.1 release date to several outlets that were given early access to its new hearing health features. Earlier today, it seeded release candidate versions of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, officially concluding the beta-testing period. iOS 18.1 will bring several hearing health features to the latest AirPods Pro 2, including hearing protection, hearing testing, and hearing aid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Apple marketing authorization for its over-the-counter hearing aid software, turning the earbuds into a hearing aid for folks with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. iOS 18.1 will mark the first update since iOS 18.0 arrived in September. This is the update that will finally enable the first batch of Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone 15 Pro phones and the iPhone 16 lineup. There will be writing tools to summarize, rewrite, and proofread any text. Siri will get a new glowing animation and a new shortcut to type to Siri (double-tapping the bottom of the display). Moreover, the smart assistant will use Apple's large language model to understand more complex queries, especially if you stumble or start over. AI will also summarize your notifications and provide contextually aware replies in apps like Messages and Mail. Photos will get natural language search and the ability to create animated slideshows from simple prompts. A Clean Up feature in Photos will remove unwanted objects from images while seamlessly replacing the background. Other Apple Intelligence features coming in the first wave include generating transcripts of recorded phone calls, summaries of web articles in Safari, a new Focus mode called Reduce Interruptions, and more. Features coming later include a substantial Siri upgrade with the ability to perform complex actions across apps, AI image generation dubbed Image Playground, creating new emoji from prompts called Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration in Siri. If you don't care about Apple Intelligence or the new AirPods hearing health features, iOS 18.1 brings enough quality-of-life improvements to justify installing it, including a fix for sudden freezes and restarts that some iPhone 16 owners complained about. Source: Wired

Apple Confirms iOS 18.1's Release Date: Here's When

If you've been holding out for iOS 18.1, you've likely already heard the rumor that the operating system would be released on October 28th. Of course, with any leak, it was important to take it with a grain of salt, as they're never a guarantee that something would happen. Fortunately, Apple has now confirmed that iOS 18.1's release date matches what we've heard earlier. iOS 18.1 Will Release on October 28th, 2024 As reported by The Verge, Apple has confirmed that its new iPhone operating system will be released just before November begins. This aligns with the ongoing rumors about iOS 18.1 that also claimed an October 28th release date. This update is particularly interesting, as it features the rollout of Apple Intelligence onto everyone's phones. The tool is the Cupertino giant's answer to other company's AI models, such as Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Alongside its role as a chatbot, you can also invoke it to tidy up your images, summarise your notifications, and write for you. Unfortunately, only select iPhone models will support Apple Intelligence, so double-check to see if your phone can handle it before you get too excited over iOS 18.1's release. Other than introducing a new AI assistant, the update also includes some tweaks to Siri and a call transcription tool. It will also make the iPhone Mirroring tool even more awesome, which has been pretty bare-bones in the features department since 18.0. Once iOS 18.1 is installed on your phone, you can use iPhone Mirroring to drag and drop files from your computer to your phone and vice versa. As such, even if you're not interested in using the new AI tools, there's plenty to look forward to with the new update. And if you need help with getting installed on your phone, check out how to upgrade your iPhone so you're ready when October 28th rolls around.

iOS 18.1 Release Candidate Build With Apple Intelligence Now Available For Download, Final Update Coming Next Week

A week after Apple released the seventh beta of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 to developers, the company has now decided to finally seed the release candidate builds of the updates. If you are a developer, you can download and install the latest iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 release candidate builds right now through the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, and the update comes with all the essential Apple Intelligence features that you can try right now. As mentioned, if you are a developer, Apple has released the first release candidate build of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 for final testing purposes. The release candidate date builds are typically the last version of the beta updates, and they are essentially the same updates as the final releases. The reason why this week's update holds immense importance is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence features, which means that whatever Apple has added in the update will be available to the general public next week. If you want to give it a shot, iOis18.1, and iPadOS 18.1 release candidate builds can be installed through the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. All you have to do is head over to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and download the latest release candidate build on your device. If you are having issues installing the update, be sure to try it out a bit later. As for what you should be excited about, iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 release candidate build will include the final set of Apple Intelligence features, which will be made available to the public next week. You can expect Writing Tools for text-based AI features, a new Siri design with a subtle glow, Smart Replies in the Mail and Messages app, and much more. Apple has also released macOS Sequoia release candidate update for developers with the same Apple Intelligence features. You can download and install the update through the Software Update section in System Settings. macOS Sequoia will also be available to the general public next week. It was previously coined by analyst Mark Gurman that Apple will release iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence features on October 28. It appears that the rumors were true and that the company would release the update at the same time. We will be covering the release in extensive detail, so be sure to stick around.

Apple Intelligence releases next week with iOS 18.1 - here are all the AI features you can try at launch

Apple Intelligence is set to release next week, as Apple has confirmed that iOS 18.1 and AirPods Pro 2' hearing health features will begin rolling out next week at some point. Apple confirmed in a press release that the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid upgrade, which requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, will be available to the public beginning next week. Putting two and two together means we'll be ushering in the Apple Intelligence era for iPhone and iPad very shortly. You'll be able to access the first batch of Apple Intelligence features in these software updates, including Writing Tools for proofreading and rewriting, Smart Replies to quickly reply to messages, Notification Summaries, Clean Up in Photos, and a redesign of Siri. Plus, if you have AirPods Pro 2, the earbuds can perform a hearing test and even act as FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Of course, you'll need to install that firmware update for AirPods alongside iOS 18.1 on your iPhone. Apple Intelligence will work on some of the best iPhones, including the iPhone 16 lineup and the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max. Unfortunately, iPhone users of devices as recent as the iPhone 15 will not get access to any of the features Apple Intelligence offers. Apple had previously announced that Apple Intelligence would become available in October, but for owners of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, waiting over a month to get the features on their new iPhones might still sting a little. That said, now that we've got a better idea of when to expect Apple Intelligence, we can start to get excited about everything Apple's AI has to offer. If you're waiting for some of the more exciting Apple Intelligence features like ChatGPT integration in Siri and the voice assistant's major overhaul with on-screen awareness and personal context, then you'll need to stay patient as we won't be using those for a while. Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence are set to arrive as part of iOS 18.2, which should enter beta in the next month or so. Apple has said all of these features are coming "later this year," so considering there are only about two months left in 2024, we should get our hands on these AI tools soon. Siri's overhaul, on the other hand, won't be available until 2025. Next week's release date is only for US English, with other parts of the world needing to wait until December to get their hands on Apple Intelligence. While you can easily change your device's language, you might find Apple Intelligence will struggle - trust me, it doesn't cope well with Scottish slang! As for Apple users in the EU, we still have no information on whether you'll be getting AI features. Check out our iOS 18.1 Apple Intelligence hands-on to get a rundown of everything you'll be able to use at some point next week, as well as our deep dive into the AirPods Pro 2's hearing health features here. If you're looking for a new Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, check out our iPhone 16 review.

iOS 18.1 launches next week with Apple Intelligence and AirPods Pro hearing tests and aids

Apple iOS 18.1 is officially coming next week, bringing hearing aid software for the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Intelligence across devices, multiple sources report, including The Wall Street Journal and Tech Crunch. The company previously released a beta version of the update in September. Here's what we know about iOS 18.1. Let's start with the hearing aids. Since late 2022, companies have been allowed to sell hearing aids over-the-counter. Apple announced the new feature at its September keynote event with the FDA approving it for use just a few days later. It involves a test that lets people know if they might have hearing loss and, if you do, it recommends going for a professional exam. It will also allow people to set their AirPods up as hearing aids. As for the hearing aid aspect, the device will boost sounds and allow users to customize dynamic adjustments in real-time. The one obvious issue? Unlike hearing aids, wearing AirPods while talking to someone might look like you're not engaging or ignoring them. But, if it helps, then it's worth it. The update could also make a big difference in access for individuals with hearing loss. Hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars, while the AirPods Pro 2 are $249 (not nothing, but much better in comparison). Apple Intelligence is the other major feature coming through iOS 18.1. The company first revealed its take on AI at its June Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It includes a range of initial features, including smart audio recording and transcriptions for apps like Mail, Notes and Pages. It also has Writing Tools for things like checking spelling and grammar. Apple should release more features for its AI tool in future updates.

Apple confirms iOS 18.1 is coming next week

AirPods hearing air and Apple Intelligence features make their official debut. The wait for the first wave of Apple Intelligence features is nearly over. In reports that profile Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid feature by The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) and The Verge, Apple confirmed that iOS 18.1 will become available to the general public next week. Apple revealed its Apple Intelligence features at WWDC this past June. Apple Intelligence is Apple's feature set that uses AI technology, which will be released in waves throughout the year. The first set of features included in iOS 18.1 include AI writing tools, a new and improved Siri, summaries for Mail and Safari, and a clean-up tool in Photos. Learn more about the Apple Intelligence release schedule and features. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported two weeks ago that Apple will release iOS 18.1 on October 28. The 7th beta of iOS 18.1 was released to developers last week. While the reports do not mention iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1, they will likely be released at the same time. The AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid update will become available as a firmware update for the earphones. iOS 18.1 includes the software required to use the Hearing Aid feature and the Hearing Aid Test. Learn more about the Hearing Aid features in the AirPods Pro 2. During the beta cycle for iOS 18.1, new features that were being tested included sleep apnea detection, drag-and-drop support for iPhone Mirroring, new Control Center controls, and other non-AI features. Those features will likely be included in iOS 18.1, but Apple has occasionally withdrawn features at the last minute to perform more testing and release it later.

Apple teases when iOS 18.1 update will arrive with Apple Intelligence features

When Apple revealed the iPad mini 7 this week, the company also announced that the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 updates would arrive before the end of October. With those updates, we will finally get our hands on the first group of Apple Intelligence features. The iPad Mini 7 was launched in a press release. Within the text, Apple wrote, "The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English this month through a free software update with iPadOS 18.1, and available for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later." It's not a specific date, but we can extrapolate when Apple will release the updates. The new iPad mini is available for pre-order and will be fully available on Wednesday, October 23. Of course, Apple is promoting the newest iPad as AI-capable with the integrated A17 Pro chip. If you don't want to wait, you can try the new AI features by downloading the iOS 18.1 public beta. Not every Apple Intelligence feature announced will come out in this update, but here's what is coming: However, based on the press release, the updates will be coming to Apple devices via a software update and not available right out of the box. That points to October 24th as the earliest possible date to receive the update. However, it's more likely that we won't see the release next week. Instead, we'll likely see the updates for all the devices on Monday, October 28, or soon after. That would coincide with reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple typically does not ship software updates on Fridays, and it doesn't usually launch updates the day after a device launch, which makes the following Monday the most likely update day. Strangely, Apple has been delaying the releases of majorly hyped features for their latest flagship devices, but it appears they are finally coming.

The Biggest iOS 18.1 Features Launching Next Week

iPhones are finally getting their first official AI support starting next week. Apple made a big deal of Apple Intelligence when the iPhone 16 launched late last month. And yet, the iPhone maker's first foray into AI, exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and above, has yet to arrive. That's set to change next week, according to reporting from The Verge and the Wall Street Journal, when iOS 18.1 releases to the public. Based on the currently accessible iOS 18.1 beta, we already know what to expect from Apple's debut AI offerings, so here's a quick breakdown of what will be coming to compatible iPhones in just a few days. Even if you don't have an Apple Intelligence-compatible phone, it's worth reading on: There are some non-AI features, too. With Writing Tools, you can use AI to rewrite, proofread, and summarize your text. These features offer assistance with crafting emails that sound more professional, correcting grammar mistakes, and making your drafts more concise. You'll also get a bulleted list or table with key points from your draft. Siri will get a new look in iOS 18.1, plus the ability to accept written prompts. The digital assistant will also get a new language model that should make it better at understanding natural language, in addition to the ability to send more difficult requests to the cloud for more help. (Apple promises that it won't keep your data.) Lifehacker will also get some competition, as Siri will be able to offer some tech support for certain Apple products. Smart Reply will give you contextual reply suggestions when texting or writing an e-mail. This is nothing new for many email users: Gmail, for example, offers contextual replies based on the content of the original message. If you're really pressed for time, and want to give a quick answer and move on, these replies can be useful, but for complex emails without easy responses, they're likely not so convenient. iOS finally gets call recording in iOS 18.1, and it looks a bit more generous than expected. Despite initially billed only for the iPhone 15 Pro and above, the most recent iOS 18.1 beta showed it working on iPhone models as far back as the XS. That's a bit surprising, as it's supposed to use Apple Intelligence, which should exclude iPhone 15 and older. Regardless, Call Recording adds a button to the Phone app that notifies all parties that you've started recording, then saves your call's audio for you and generates a transcript of your call. The iPhone 15 Pro and above will also be able to summarize calls, as well as transcribe them live, thanks to Voice Recording in the Notes app. Notification summaries can be customized to group related notifications together and use AI to quickly share key details from all of them at once. For instance, you might get a single notification letting you know about your electrical bill, your payment receipt, and payment received confirmation, rather than having to scroll through each individually. Similar to the above, the Mail and Messages apps will summarize long threads for you, so you can get caught up more quickly. One beta tester in particular went viral after they found out how notification summaries handles being broken up with over text. The Photos app is getting a number of AI-powered updates, including the ability to "Clean Up" photos by removing unwanted objects from them (similar to Google's Magic Eraser), search through your photo library using natural language, and create a "Memory movie" by prompting Apple Intelligence to create a custom collage based on a natural language description. Apple Intelligence can surface alerts it deems important even when you're in Focus mode. Even if you don't have an Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone (again, iPhone 15 and older), there are still a number of upgrades to look forward to in iOS 18.1. Beyond Call Recording, which seems to be coming to older phones despite its use of AI, there's a new reset option for the fully customizable Control Center, in case you're not happy with the changes you've made, as well as dedicated tiles for connectivity options like wifi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and cellular data; the ability to drag and drop files when mirroring your iPhone to a Mac; and greater access to your phone's NFC chip for third-party apps, opening it up for use with transit cards or hotel room keys. iPhone 16 models can also use the Camera Control capacitive button to quickly swap to selfie mode. iOS 18.1 is just an exploratory dip into AI on Apple's part, so expect more features to come down the line. These include image generation features like Image Playground and Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, an even more contextual Siri, the ability for Siri to help you out in third-party apps, and Visual Intelligence, which offers useful context about your surroundings just by snapping a photo of where you are. Apple Intelligence will also be limited to U.S. English at launch, and currently has no timetable for an official release in the EU or mainland China.

Apple Rolls Out Final iOS 18.1 RC Ahead of Public Release Next Week

iOS 18.1 Release Candidate is available to beta testers The update brings hearing aid support for AirPods Pro 2 It also includes Apple Intelligence and more features iOS 18.1 Release Candidate (RC) was rolled out by Apple to registered developer and public testers in beta on Monday. The update's feature set remains largely similar to the previous iOS 18.1 beta versions, bringing improved home and lock screen customisation, a new Control Centre with more options, an enhanced Photos app, and a new Passwords app, in addition to Apple Intelligence features. However, a notable new addition in the iOS 18.1 RC is the hearing aid functionality for the AirPods Pro 2. Notably, the stable iOS 18.1 update for iPhone is widely reported to be rolled out later this month, with October 28 tipped as the most likely date of its release. It will bring the first set of Apple Intelligence features. According to Apple, the iOS 18.1 RC update for developer and public beta testers enables users to take a hearing aid test when paired with the AirPods Pro 2. The Cupertino-based tech giant claims it is a clinically validated hearing test meant for users with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The AirPods Pro 2 can act as a personalised hearing aid set to meet the specific needs of the user. This feature can be accessed on AirPods Pro 2 when connected to an iPhone running iOS 18.1 RC update. The update's other features are carried over from previous beta iterations. This includes health features like Sleep Apnea detection which records and informs the user of any breathing disturbances that might be considered moderate or severe Sleep Apnea and may require further action. There is also a limited feature set powered by Apple Intelligence -- the company's artificial intelligence (AI) suite. A new AI-powered writing tool is available to testers, with options for proofreading documents with spelling and grammar checks and rewriting text for different tones: Concise, Friendly or Professional. Additionally, users can also take advantage of an object removal tool and an automatic movie creation option in the Photos app. The new Siri UI that glows around the edges has also been introduced when the voice assistant is invoked.

18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.1

Apple is expected to release iOS 18.1 on Monday, October 28, bringing the first set of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update marks the first significant step forward in Apple's AI integration, offering a new Siri contextually-aware experience and a range of additional capabilities powered by on-device machine learning and large language models. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls coming, too. While not all Apple Intelligence features will be available immediately, iOS 18.1 introduces several enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 18 new things your iPhone will be able to do when the update rolls out later this month.

Apple just dropped a new hint for when iOS 18.1 will be available - 9to5Mac

Apple has said that iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 will arrive some time in October, and with them the first set of Apple Intelligence features. But today the company dropped a new hint around what to expect for iOS 18.1's release date. Today Apple launched a new iPad mini via a press release. But the company's announcement carried broader implications than just the new device. The surprise release made an October Apple event suddenly a long shot. It also came with a key hint about when to expect iOS 18.1 to drop. The new iPad mini is available to pre-order today, but doesn't arrive in users' hands until Wednesday, October 23. The major selling point for the new device is Apple Intelligence support thanks to its A17 Pro chip. Since iOS and iPadOS 18.1 are set for October, it would be great for them to arrive in time for inclusion on the new iPad mini. But per Apple's press release, Apple Intelligence capabilities are coming to the device in a future software update -- not available at launch. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English this month through a free software update with iPadOS 18.1, and available for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later. This means the soonest we'll see iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence is October 24. Most likely though, Apple Intelligence's absence from the iPad mini at launch rules out a release any time next week. Almost certainly, iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 are coming on October 28 or shortly thereafter. It makes no sense to launch the new mini then release a software update for it the next day. Apple doesn't usually ship software updates on Fridays, either. That makes Monday, October 28 the best candidate. Why didn't Apple hold the new iPad mini a few days until Apple Intelligence was ready? It's unclear. But I suppose if the company can launch the flagship iPhone 16 and 16 Pro without AI, they can do the same with a much less popular product like the iPad mini.

When Are iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence Going to Be Released?

Apple just announced the long-awaited update to the iPad Mini, which now includes an A17 Pro processor capable of running the upcoming Apple Intelligence features the company teased at its WWDC developer event earlier this year and during the launch of the iPhone 16 in September. Apple is certainly feeling the pressure from Google, Meta and every high tech company that added an "AI" slide to its pitch deck to incorporate more generative AI features into their products. But when will that happen? Apple, as is its custom, is notoriously tight-lipped about any specific details. Which means we get to make our informed guesses based on what we know already. Apple said during its September event that the first AI features will arrive in beta form "next month." Now that we're halfway through October, a few signs point to a release before the calendar ticks over to November. Developers or people enrolled in Apple's public beta program can install prerelease versions of iOS 18.1 right now and sign up to test Apple Intelligence. (The technology will also run on iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, but I'm using iOS 18.1 as shorthand to mean all three. As always, be smart about what you're getting into.) The most recent developer beta is the seventh revision, which usually indicates Apple is close to release. The closest piece of specific information is a rumor from frequent Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who says the first Apple Intelligence features will arrive Oct. 28. There have also been rumors of an Apple hardware event happening in late October, but in the same newsletter Gurman now estimates a Nov. 1 date introducing new M4-based laptops, a revamped M4 Mac Mini and an M4 iMac. He also tagged that date for a new iPad mini, which is what Apple announced this week and will start shipping Oct. 23. The outlier here is that Apple's product pages all currently refer to Apple Intelligence coming "this fall," which might indicate that the schedule has slipped out of October. However, I'm going to remain optimistic and consider October still a real possibility. Remember that Apple Intelligence will work only with the following models that are equipped with the A17 Pro or later (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or later (Mac and iPad) processors:

Apple issues release candidates for Apple Intelligence OS updates | AppleInsider

As Apple Intelligence gets closer to public availability, the first release candidates of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are now available. The first release candidates of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1 arrive after the seventh build, which landed on October 14, or for macOS, October 15. The sixth builds landed on October 7. The RC for tvOS 18.1 lands after five developer betas, and visionOS 2.1 after six. At the time of publication, there isn't a RC build for watchOS 11.1, but it is likely to arrive soon. The new iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 build numbers are both 22B82. The new macOS 15.1 build is number 24B82, visionOS is 22N580, and tvOS 18.1 is 22J6578 The primary difference between the iOS 18.1 and 18 operating system versions is the addition of Apple Intelligence, which includes generative AI and machine learning features. However, not all Apple Intelligence features will be available when it is eventually released. Initial Apple Intelligence features put to testing included a new Siri animation, Type to Siri, a better understanding of queries and contextual awareness, product knowledge, and a swathe of writing tools. The third developer beta brought with it Clean Up for Photos, which lets users remove unwanted elements from images. In the fifth build, Apple's iOS 18.1 changes were largely nothing to do with Apple Intelligence. The changes included enabling file drag and drop with the iPhone Mirroring feature of macOS, a new selfie option for Camera Control, and adjustments to Control Center. The sixth iOS 18.1 build concentrated on sleep apnea detection, connectivity and Measure toggles in Control Center, and other features instead of Apple Intelligence specifically. The seventh build continued the non-Apple Intelligence improvements. AppleInsider and Apple strongly advise that users do not install test operating systems or other beta or RC software onto "mission-critical" or primary hardware, due to the small chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should therefore use secondary or non-essential devices and make sure they have sufficient backups of any critical data.