Apple is currently testing several software updates including iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS 15.1 and watchOS 11.1 for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The updates are expected in October and not only fix issues, they also add new features.
The most important addition is Apple Intelligence in English (US). Unfortunately, you cannot simply use Apple Intelligence in the EU, but fortunately there are other new options. The new software updates include a customizable tab bar for iPad, new controls in the control panel and more. We list all the new options for you.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is a personal intelligence system for Mac, iPhone and iPad that combines the power of generative models with the user’s individual context. Starting with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, users can use the Apple Intelligence features below.
- New Siri: Custom design for iPhone and iPad, better understand context, answer consecutive questions, type directly to chat (double tap bottom bar)
- Writing Tools: Tool for texts: summarizing, (re)writing, formatting, etc.
- Clean up tool: Retouch photos and remove unwanted people or objects from a photo.
- Photos: Improved searching in natural language, searching for specific moments and creating your own memories with text commands.
- Reduce Interruptions focus: AI-generated focus that shows only relevant notifications including summaries.
- Summary of notifications: Ability to get summary of notifications that are really important.
- Smart Reply: Provide automatically generated replies in Messages and Mail based on the content
- Summaries: Quickly get a summary of content in Mail and Safari
- Transcriptions: Convert phone call content and audio notes to text
The possibilities of Apple Intelligence are great, but are actually only available to users in the United States. Apple Intelligence will first be available in English (US), with other languages ​​to be added next year. If desired, you can test Apple Intelligence in English outside the US, but in principle this is not possible in the EU.
Due to Digital Markets Act law, Apple has decided to block Apple Intelligence in the EU. In a roundabout way, it is still possible to test Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad and Mac, also in the European Union. You will have to take the necessary actions for this, which will significantly change the way you use your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Control panel expanded
The control panel in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 has already been significantly overhauled. From iOS/iPadOS 18.1 onwards, the finishing touches are further added. From now on you can also use controls for WiFi and VPN. In addition, Apple has adjusted the appearance of some controls for system functions, among other things.
Via Settings â–¸ Control Center you have the option to restore the control panel to default settings and start over.
iPad tab bar
The floating tab bar makes it easier to go to different parts of an app, such as within Apple TV. As you delve deeper into the app, it flows smoothly into the sidebar. At the start of iPadOS 18, it already has a new look, but from iPadOS 18.1, Apple will expand the tab and you can personalize it. This way you can add important items and hide less important tabs in different apps that support the tab bar. You do this by tapping ‘Edit’ in the sidebar and dragging items in or out of the tab bar.
iPhone 16 Camera controller
Starting with iOS 18.1, you can immediately open selfie mode from the Camera Control and take a photo with the camera on the front of the device.
Look further and watch list TV app
Apple has finally made a distinction in the TV app between series you are watching and media you would like to watch. From now on, in ‘Watch it’ you will find the films and series that you are watching, but have not yet fully finished.
Items that you have added to watch later, but have not yet started, can now be found under ‘Watch list’. Both parts can be consulted from the Home page.
Other innovations
- Custom history view in Calculator app
- Larger view of emoji and stickers in emoji keyboard
- New Apple Watch icon for the Watch app
- Print status in Dynamic Island
- Spatial photo taking added to iPhone 15 Pro (Max)
- RCS support added to Telenet, Proximus and Base (Belgium)
- Open NFC for payments in countries outside the EU
- Changed animations in the Music app
- Added additional automations in the commands app
- Added dragging between iPhone and Mac in iPhone Synchronous Display (not in EU)
- Place apps directly on external drive from macOS 15.1
- Enable power saving mode on Mac directly from the battery menu
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