Apple has released a beta version of its new operating system for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. The update will bring a number of useful features and improvements, and later some devices will also receive an improved Siri assistant and Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence function, The Verge reports.
Image source: macrumors.com
The public beta of iOS 18 introduces support for RCS messaging, new settings that allow you to place apps anywhere on the home screen, and change the colors of icons and widgets. There will also be a new layout for the Photos app and the ability to customize the Control Center. Similar updates are contained in the public beta version of iPadOS 18, which, among other things, will include the long-awaited “Calculator”.
However, iOS 18 will not yet include Apple Intelligence. The company is saving the technological innovation for a future beta version, which will be released in the fall. However, Apple Intelligence will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as on Mac and iPad with M1 chips and above. At this time, Apple has not announced the AI feature for any of its other platforms, including the Apple Watch.
As for the watchOS 11 public beta, there will be an Apple Vitals app for quickly viewing a user’s overnight health data. For Macs, the Sequoia beta includes the ability to mirror the iPhone screen directly on the Mac screen and other less significant updates. The tvOS 18 beta includes InSight for Apple TV Plus content, somewhat similar to Amazon X-Ray.
The Verge notes that while most devices can be downgraded to a stable current version of the operating system, this cannot be done with the Apple Watch. Users will have to wait until the stable version is released in the fall, so this is something to consider before installing the beta version on your watch.
Those interested in testing the new operating system can sign up for Apple’s beta testing program. Device-specific installation instructions can be found on this Apple page.