iOS 18 Third Beta Released: What's New?
Apple has released the third beta version of iOS 18, bringing improvements to dark mode, updates to the Photos and Messages apps, and groundwork for Apple Intelligence features. Here's a rundown of all the updates.
Third Beta of iOS 18 Released: Icons and Wallpapers
- Enhanced Dark Mode Integration: Third-party apps now have better integration with dark mode. Popular services like Facebook, Etsy, Telegram, Signal, Slack, Notion, YouTube, and others have received dark mode-style icons. The algorithm automatically converts colored icons, often making secondary colors primary and replacing white backgrounds with black.
- Partial Conversion for Complex Designs: While complex designs aren't fully converted yet, they receive a slightly darker appearance. After iOS 18's official release, app developers will be able to implement their own dark mode icons.
- Dynamic Wallpapers: The update introduces intriguing dynamic wallpapers for the lock screen, gradually changing color based on the time of day.
Messages Gets a Refresh
- Unified Media Section: Emojis, stickers, and Memoji are now consolidated into a single section within Messages. You can easily switch between them using icons at the bottom and even create your own stickers.
- Sticker Sharing: Stickers can be sent individually or in a smaller size, similar to emojis, as part of a message. However, this feature currently only works with static images.
- Larger Emojis and Expanded Recents: Emojis in the menu are now larger, and the "Recents" section has been expanded.
- RCS Clarification: The update includes clarification for the RCS feature. A note under the activation slider explains that the protocol uses data transmission through the provider, which may have access to the user's identifier.
Photos and Flashlight UI Enhancements
- New "Select" Button in Photos: The Photos app gains a convenient "Select" button in the top panel, allowing for quick selection of multiple images without scrolling down the list. The search option has also been redesigned with a magnifying glass icon in a blue circle.
- Intuitive Flashlight Menu: The flashlight now features an expanded and more intuitive menu in the Control Center, making it easier to adjust brightness and lighting area.
Apple Intelligence on the Horizon
References to various Apple Intelligence tools have been discovered in the iOS code, suggesting a potential debut this fall as "beta" features on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, as well as iPad and Mac models with M1 chips and newer.