Apple has released iOS 18.1 alongside iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, introducing Apple Intelligence, a powerful suite of AI-powered tools.
Designed to enhance productivity and user experience, Apple Intelligence offers an array of advanced features across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Key Features in iOS 18.1
The update delivers several new functionalities, including Writing Tools that streamline text input. Available throughout the OS, these tools allow users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text on the spot.
Siri also receives substantial upgrades, showcasing a fresh look, enriched natural language capabilities, and access to ChatGPT for broader query handling. Siri now maintains conversation context within sessions, enhancing dialogue flow for a more intuitive user experience.
In Photos, users can utilize the new Clean Up feature to remove background distractions and find photos by describing the content they seek. A new Focus mode called Reduce Interruptions uses AI to selectively filter out nonessential notifications, while Smart Reply in Mail and Messages suggests quick responses based on context.
Enhanced Camera, Hearing, and Notifications
In addition to AI tools, iOS 18.1 offers improvements in other areas. The Camera app now supports faster transitions to the front camera on 2024 iPhone models, while iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max users can explore a new Spatial photo and video capture mode.
Furthermore, a new AirPods Hearing Test feature lets users assess their hearing at home, while Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features offer clinical-grade assistance to reduce environmental noise.
The Notifications update provides users with concise summaries, while Smart Reply in Mail and Messages allows for quicker responses.
Priority messages are highlighted at the top of the inbox, and a transcription feature in Notes offers intelligent summaries of recorded audio, helping users catch up on essential information with ease.
Additional Enhancements
Other notable updates include RCS Business Messaging, natural language search in the App Store, Game Center improvements, and bug fixes.
Control Center now allows for customized connectivity controls, and a fix in Podcasts resolves issues with unplayed episodes being marked as played.
iOS 18.1 is available for compatible devices, though Apple Intelligence currently supports only U.S. English. With this release, Apple continues to integrate AI into its ecosystem, aiming to deliver a smarter, more efficient user experience.