Apple has launched iOS 18.1, which introduces Apple Intelligence support for U.S. users, along with various enhancements to the Control Center, bug fixes, and more. For users outside the U.S., this update primarily addresses minor issues, including a fix in Podcasts where unplayed episodes were incorrectly marked as played and video playback stuttering during scrubbing of 4K 60 fps recordings on warmer devices.
In the U.S., the standout feature is the launch of Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system that enhances Siri’s capabilities and introduces AI-driven features across writing, mail, messages, and notifications. Users can now enjoy improved image editing tools, including the new AI-powered Clean Up feature that allows unwanted elements in photos to be removed effortlessly.
Apple has launched iOS 18.1 & Siri has received a significant upgrade, featuring more natural conversation abilities and a new design that includes a glowing light around the screen edge when activated. Users can also type to Siri and maintain context across multiple requests, making interactions smoother and more intuitive. The Photos app now supports natural language search with smart completion suggestions, while the Clean Up tool simplifies photo editing. Additionally, Apple Intelligence brings summarized notifications to the Lock Screen for quick previews of lengthy threads and a Reduce Interruptions Focus feature that filters notifications to show only critical alerts.
The new audio recording features in the Notes and Phone apps allow users to generate summaries of calls, with participants notified when recording begins. Currently available in the U.S., Apple Intelligence is set to expand to other regions by December, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., with additional language support expected by April 2025.For those interested in staying updated on Apple news and features like iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence, check out Mobile Mate, Mobile Biz, and Backlink.
