(Image source from: Macrumors.com)
Following the release of iOS 18.1, Apple is currently testing the third beta version of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 with developers. The third developer beta of iOS 18.3 has been released ahead of its planned public release in December. This update focuses on bug fixes and new features that improve the user experience in apps like Photos and TV, as well as expanded functionality with Apple Intelligence. MacRumors reports that key updates in this beta include improvements to the video player in the Photos app, a customizable navigation bar in the TV app in iPadOS, and expanded controls for the camera control button, features added for newer iPhone models. Let's take a quick look at all the new things Apple is testing in the iOS 18.2 beta. The Photos app received a major redesign in iOS 18, but not all users were happy with the initial changes. In response to this user feedback, the third beta of iOS 18.2 will reportedly introduce new updates to the Photos app, expand the video player, and reduce the thick borders that previously surrounded videos.
The latest iOS 18.2 beta introduces improved camera control settings for iPhone 16 users. Under the display and brightness settings, there is a “Require screen turn on” toggle that, when enabled, restricts the use of the button to only when the iPhone screen is on. Users can also disable this feature so that the buttons work even when the screen is off. In iOS 18.2 Beta 3, Apple also updated the weather icons and the CarPlay media app. The opt-out look is also expected to appear in future CarPlay-equipped cars, expected to launch in late 2024. The iOS 18.2 update also changed the AirDrop icon so that it now appears in a darker shade when dark mode is enabled, fixing the previous issue. Additionally, the update fixes issues with AirTags' precision search and Play Audio functionality for AirPods and compatible third-party accessories on Apple's Find My network. The latest beta version also introduces new AI-powered tools such as Genmoji, a custom emoji generator, and Image Playground, which allows users to create AI-generated images through prompts. Additionally, Apple is integrating ChatGPT with Siri, allowing users to receive richer responses and generate content without the need for an external account.
The third developer beta of iOS 18.2 is compatible with iPhone XS and later versions. However, Apple's advanced AI features like Visual Intelligence and Siri's ChatGPT integration are limited to the latest hardware, notably the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and some M-series iPads and Macs. A public beta will be available soon, giving more users the opportunity to preview these updates before the official release in December. In addition to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, Apple also released new beta versions of the macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2 and HomePod 18.2 software. These full updates will be officially released in December, bringing powerful new features to Apple devices.
