iOS 18.3 Beta 1 is Out! - What's New?

Summary

In this video, Aaron from Zolot Tech discusses the release of iOS 18.3 beta 1, available to developers, with iOS 18.3 public beta expected soon. He highlights key updates, including a modem update, changes to the 'Hello' screen, updated Siri controls, and new features in the App Store and the Home app, like robot vacuum integration. He also touches on minor bugs and performance improvements, noting smoother responsiveness and battery life. Aaron advises waiting to install the beta until after the holiday season unless there's a specific feature to test, as iOS 18.2 remains stable.

Takeaways

• 😀 iOS 18.3 Beta 1 has been released for developers, with a public beta expected soon. It is compatible with all devices that support iOS 18.
• 😀 The update size is large, around 7.38 GB, and it installs the full OS when moving between beta and public versions.
• 😀 iOS 18.3 Beta 1 introduces a modem update from version 1.2.5 to 1.4.2, which may improve connectivity on devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
• 😀 The setup screen now has a change where users must manually opt out of sharing analytics data via the Privacy & Security settings, rather than being offered the option right away.
• 😀 The Image Playground icon now has a lighter text, and there seems to be a subtle change in the image creation process, possibly indicating background updates.
• 😀 The 'Type to Siri' control icon in the Control Center has been updated from a keyboard icon to a simpler 'Siri' icon.
• 😀 A new dark mode icon for camera controls has been added to the Accessibility settings.
• 😀 The App Store now supports using natural language to search for apps, similar to the TV and Music apps in iOS 18.2.
• 😀 iOS 18.3 Beta 1 introduces robot vacuum control in the Home app, an update that was promised with iOS 18 and is now rolling out in this beta.
• 😀 Battery intelligence features like showing time to full charge are still absent, and the iPhone 15 wallpapers are notably missing in this update.
• 😀 Apple’s updated Sports app now tracks league standings, postseason progress, and key plays, with a new play-by-play tab, and adds live activities for games.
• 😀 Although there are no major bug fixes mentioned in the release notes, the update addresses some minor issues with personalized Gen Moji and third-party writing tools integration.
• 😀 Performance feels smooth and responsive, though there may be occasional stutters as the update finishes processing in the background.
• 😀 Battery life has been improving, with varying screen on and idle times, but overall the experience seems stable on iOS 18.2 with good battery optimization.
• 😀 No new wallpapers have been included for the iPhone 15 series, raising questions about whether this is an oversight or intentional.
• 😀 The update seems to have improved smoothness, particularly when scrolling and using apps, with some minor lag experienced during initial setup or updates.

Q & A

What is the size of the iOS 18.3 beta 1 update?

The iOS 18.3 beta 1 update has a large install size of 7.38 GB, which is consistent across various devices.

What new features were observed in the iOS 18.3 beta 1 update?

Some new features in iOS 18.3 beta 1 include a modem update for better connectivity, a change in the Image Playground icon, a new privacy setting for analytics sharing, and the addition of robot vacuum control in the Home app.

How has the 'hello screen' changed in iOS 18.3 beta 1?

In iOS 18.3 beta 1, when setting up a device, the 'hello screen' has a new flow. Specifically, the option to opt out of sending analytics data to Apple is no longer immediately available. Users must go into Privacy & Security settings to disable it.

What changes were made to the 'Image Playground' in this update?

The 'Image Playground' app in iOS 18.3 beta 1 appears to have different results when generating images, with changes to the appearance of facial features and other elements. While the models have not been explicitly updated, the app behaves differently with each use.

How has Siri's interface changed in the control center?

In iOS 18.3 beta 1, the control center icon for 'Type to Siri' has been updated. The old keyboard icon is replaced by a simple Siri icon, providing a cleaner, more straightforward interface.

What update did Apple make to the accessibility features?

In iOS 18.3 beta 1, Apple updated the 'Camera Control' button in the accessibility settings, now using a dark mode icon to match the rest of the interface.

Is natural language search now available in the App Store?

Yes, iOS 18.3 beta 1 allows users to use natural language to search for apps in the App Store. This feature is similar to what was introduced in iOS 18.2 for the TV and Music apps.

What’s new in the Home app with the iOS 18.3 beta update?

iOS 18.3 beta 1 introduces the ability to control robot vacuums within the Home app, fulfilling a promised feature from iOS 18.

Is battery intelligence included in the iOS 18.3 beta 1 update?

No, the iOS 18.3 beta 1 update does not include the 'battery intelligence' feature, which would show real-time charging data for the device. This feature might be added in a future update.

Are there any notable bugs in the iOS 18.3 beta 1 update?

Yes, a few bugs are present, including an issue where icons in dark mode do not appear correctly on the home screen and the lock screen saturation bug, which still persists. These issues are likely to be addressed in future updates.