What's New in iOS 18.1 Beta 3: Photo Cleanup Feature, Notification Summaries and More

Apple has rolled out iOS 18.1 beta 3 for developers, introducing new features and improvements exclusively for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Key Features in iOS 18.1 Beta 3

New Cleanup Feature in Photos App

The standout addition in iOS 18.1 beta 3 is the new Cleanup feature in the Photos app, which leverages Apple Intelligence to identify and remove distracting elements from photos.

The Cleanup tool uses machine learning models to detect and replace unwanted objects, shadows, and reflections, ensuring that people in the photos remain untouched.

*Note: Users can access this feature via an eraser-style icon in the editing toolbar.

Summarize Notification Previews

Another significant update is the introduction of summarized notification previews.

This feature allows users to choose which apps can summarize notifications, making them more succinct and easier to read.

*Note: You can manage the new "Summarize Previews" section in the Notifications settings.

Expanded Apple Intelligence Features

iOS 18.1 beta 3 also brings new Apple Intelligence functionalities, including:

• Writing Tools: For rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text.
  
  

• Revamped Siri Design: Now includes the option to type queries.
  
  

• Enhanced Mail App: Features message summaries, priority sorting, and Smart Reply.
  
  

• New Focus Mode: "Reduce Interruptions" mode prioritizes essential notifications using AI.

Additional Updates and Bug Fixes

Modem Firmware Update

The latest beta includes an update to the modem firmware, now at version 2.2.0.00. This aims to improve connectivity and overall performance.

Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements

Several bugs have been addressed in this update:

• Siri Activation: Improved reliability and new animation.
  
  

• Text to Siri: Now works consistently.
  
  

• Crash Bug: Fixed an issue that caused crashes when entering specific search queries in Settings.

Release Details and Future Updates

The build number for iOS 18.1 beta 3 is 22B5034e. Apple is expected to continue with weekly beta releases leading up to the public release of iOS 18.1, anticipated in October.

Upcoming iOS Releases

• iOS 18 Public Release: Expected around September 16th.
  
  

• iOS 18.1 Beta 4: Could be released as soon as next week.
  
  

• iOS 17.6.2: A minor update possibly focusing on security fixes.

Editor's Comments

iOS 18.1 beta 3 introduces several impressive improvements, particularly the Cleanup feature in the Photos app.

It could significantly enhance Apple Photos by removing unwanted elements from photos effortlessly and may challenge the existing photo-editing apps in the app market.

Also, from beta 3, we can see that many apps and games are available for the summarized notification previews feature, such as Amazon, Gmail, Messages, and even games like Minecraft and Call of Duty.

It can be supposed that apps which convey mass text information, like mail apps, news apps, or social apps, can be most facilitated by this new feature.