Apple is advancing towards the final stages of its iOS 18.1 beta testing, releasing Developer Beta 6 and Public Beta 3 updates that bring several noteworthy changes to its software.
The latest beta version is now accessible to both developers and public beta testers. Although the updates include only a few new features, several enhancements stand out.
One of the most significant changes is in the Control Center. For the first time, Apple has introduced separate toggles for Satellite and AirDrop. This allows users to customize their Control Center setup with distinct buttons. Previously, these options were part of a broader Connectivity control, but now users can manage settings for Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, Personal Hotspot, AirDrop, Bluetooth, Satellite, VPN, and Wi-Fi individually. The update also enhances the Measure and Level tools, both of which will open the Measure app when selected.
Additionally, Apple has made a minor yet impactful update to Notification Summaries. On the Lock Screen, the notification count displayed will now change to match the color of the user's wallpaper, adding a personal touch.
Another exciting feature in this beta is the long-anticipated support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disturbance monitoring on the Apple Watch Series 10 models. Users can enable sleep apnea alerts through the Health app after updating to iOS 18.1. The Apple Watch will gather breathing disturbance data over ten days, sending alerts every 30 days based on the analysis. Data collection and alerts commence only after the update is installed and the feature is activated.
In the Wallet app, users with an Apple Card will notice a change regarding Daily Cash directed to a savings account. The balance will no longer appear on the main Apple Card screen but can be accessed by tapping the savings button.
Finally, Apple has introduced Intelligence splash screens across various apps, showcasing new features such as Message Summaries, Priority Messages, Smart Replies in Mail, and natural language search in the App Store.
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