Apple Releases iOS 18 Beta 4: New Features and Developer Access
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[1]
iOS 18 beta 4 has arrived -- here's what's new for your iPhone
iOS 18's fourth beta has been released to users with an Apple Developer account. And early explorers have already discovered some interesting changes (via 9to5Mac). One finding is related to Camera app functionality. A "Controls Menu" toggle, located in the Preserve Settings section of the main Settings app rather than the Camera itself, is now available, with the feature promising to "preserve the previous used camera tool when expanding the controls menu." It's not clear what exactly gets preserved in-app right now, so we'll have to wait for users to enable it and figure out what difference it makes. For users who've been trying out iPhone Mirroring with the macOS Sequoia beta alongside iOS 18, you'll see you can now choose one of three sizes for the iPhone window on your Mac: Actual Size, or Larger or Smaller. There's also a new Lock Screen icon for iPhone Mirroring in the phone while it's active. A lot of the changes found so far are cosmetic, but one particularly dramatic-looking one is the flashlight interface, which pops up a Dynamic Island widget to let you switch it on/off and adjust the brightness level. This was already available on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models, but now the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus can use it too, allowing all current iPhones with the Dynamic Island to use the feature. Some of the other redesigned elements in the fourth beta are a new look for the Hidden apps folder, a new darker "Continue" widget in Books, a new Stocks icon, fresh light and dark CarPlay wallpapers. Also if you're an iCloud Plus subscriber, you get a new animation for your profile in the iCloud menu of the Settings app (shown via an X post from user aaronp613). One last practical update is the addition of RCS messaging compatibility for more carriers. This includes Orange U.K. and T-Mobile U.K., which will be welcome news for anyone using those networks who's been waiting to try this feature. We still have no Apple Intelligence features as of iOS 18 beta 4, though this is as expected since the first appearance of Apple's AI suite on all compatible devices is slated for this fall. In a similar vein, on-device sorting of emails in the Mail app is also currently missing from the beta, but again Apple did warn us that this feature wouldn't be coming for another few months. Also, it's worth keeping in mind that this beta is a developer beta. While the iOS 18 public beta is now available, it won't gain these new features until at least the next public beta, which will perhaps be available next month going by Apple's usual timings. If you've yet to try out iOS 18 and want to know what it's all about, have a read of our iOS 18 hands-on for our opinion of the new software as it stands.
[2]
Apple releases iOS 18 beta 4 to developers: How to download, new features and more - Times of India
The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.
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Apple has released the fourth beta version of iOS 18 to developers, introducing new features and improvements. This update brings changes to various aspects of the iPhone operating system, including the lock screen, widgets, and more.
Apple Unveils iOS 18 Beta 4 for Developers
Apple has rolled out the fourth beta version of iOS 18 to developers, marking another step towards the anticipated public release of the new operating system. This latest update introduces several new features and improvements, giving developers a chance to test and adapt their applications to the upcoming changes
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.Key Features and Enhancements
The iOS 18 Beta 4 brings a range of updates to enhance user experience and functionality:
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Lock Screen Improvements: Users can now add widgets directly to their lock screen, providing quick access to important information without unlocking the device
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Customizable App Icons: The update introduces the ability to change app icons directly from the home screen, offering greater personalization options
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Enhanced Widgets: The new beta version allows for more interactive and resizable widgets, improving their functionality and visual appeal
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Improved Siri Integration: Siri now offers more natural language processing capabilities and can perform a wider range of tasks
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Privacy Features: Apple continues to focus on user privacy with new controls and transparency features
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Developer Access and Installation
Developers can access the iOS 18 Beta 4 through the Apple Developer website or the Developer app. The installation process involves:
- Enrolling in the Apple Developer Program
- Downloading the appropriate configuration profile
- Installing the beta software via Over-The-Air (OTA) update
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It's important to note that beta versions may contain bugs and are primarily intended for testing purposes. Apple recommends installing beta software on secondary devices to avoid potential issues with daily-use devices
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.Related Stories
Anticipated Public Release
While the beta version is currently limited to developers, Apple is expected to release a public beta in the coming weeks. The final public version of iOS 18 is anticipated to launch alongside the new iPhone models in September
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.Impact on App Ecosystem
This beta release allows developers to test their applications for compatibility with the new operating system. It provides an opportunity to leverage new APIs and features, ensuring a smooth transition when iOS 18 becomes publicly available
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.As Apple continues to refine iOS 18 through these beta releases, users can look forward to a more feature-rich and polished experience when the final version launches later this year.
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