Apple\u2019s first 2024 public betas have arrived. You can now install early builds of iOS 18<\/a>, iPadOS 18<\/a>, watchOS 11<\/a> and macOS Sequoia<\/a> to preview Apple\u2019s software updates before their official arrival this fall. You just need to enroll your Apple ID (soon-to-be Apple Account<\/a>) in the Apple Beta Software Program to join the pre-release fun.<\/p>\n Although it won\u2019t be available in beta until the fall, Apple\u2019s take on generative AI<\/a> \u2014 Apple Intelligence (get it?) \u2014 is the common thread in this year\u2019s updates. Intertwined in each platform\u2019s 2024 software, Apple Intelligence is a blend of on-device and cloud processing, and it includes optional ChatGPT integration<\/a>. It adds a new superpowered Siri, Safari highlights and summaries, writing tools and much more.<\/p>\n As for what you will see in the first public beta, iOS 18 gives you more control over your Home Screen<\/a>. You can place apps and widgets on any open spot on your screen and even change app icon colors, personalizing your phone with a unified aesthetic. The Control Center also gets a redesign, with easier access to your most used toggles, including new customizations. In addition, Photos gets its biggest overhaul to date, and Messages includes new formatting and effects.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, iPadOS 18 carries over many of those same changes while adding a native Calculator app for the first time<\/a> and smart handwriting features.<\/p>\n Much more than a port of the iOS version, the Calculator app includes a new Math Notes feature for the Apple Pencil (or keyboard) that can evaluate expressions, assign variables and plot graphs in real-time: Type an equals sign, and Math Notes solves the problem. In parallel, the Smart Script tool in the Notes app can smooth out your sloppy handwriting (while still looking like your penmanship) as you write, and you can turn recordings into searchable live audio transcriptions.<\/p>\n macOS Sequoia adds iPhone Mirroring, letting you view and control your phone\u2019s screen from your Mac<\/a>. A new Passwords app pulls your stored credentials out of iCloud Keychain and Safari\u2019s settings and into a standalone app. (That S.O.S. call you hear is from 1Password\u2019s developers.) Window Tiling lets you \u201cmagnetically\u201d snap windows into various grid patterns, similar to Microsoft\u2019s Snap tiling feature in Windows 11. Finally, new video call features let you replace your background with built-in images or personal photos.<\/p>\n watchOS 11 lets you pause your daily Activity Rings when you need a break (like when you\u2019re sick, injured or have other disruptions) without losing your streaks. You can also change your goals based on the day of the week and customize which metric the Fitness app shows. A new Vitals app expands on sleep tracking to show you at a glance whether any of your overnight metrics deviate from your norm. And a training load tool gauges how your workout intensity may affect your body over time.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never installed an Apple software update with the Apple account you use on your devices, head to the Apple Beta Software Program website<\/a> to register it. Then, navigate to Settings<\/strong> > General<\/strong> > Software Update<\/strong> on your device, choose the Beta Updates<\/strong> menu, select the Public Beta<\/strong> option and install the update on the Software Update screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n