Apple releases iOS 18.1 Developer Beta 2 with a cool Safari feature missing from the first beta

If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max and are already running the Apple Intelligence Beta after installing the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta, you can now update your phone to iOS18.1 Developer Beta 2 with build number 22B5023e. If you have a iPhone 15 Pro series model or any iPad with an M1 chip or higher and you have not yet installed Apple Intelligence on your device, you can do so now by iOS18.1 Developer Beta 2 or iPadOS 18.1 Developer Beta 2.

The first iOS18.1 Developer Beta included features such as:

  • The ability to aggregate websites and emails.
  • Use writing tools to ask AI to change the tone of an email or text you've written to make it funnier, more concise, or more professional.
  • Use writing tools to proofread and rewrite emails and texts.
  • Record a phone conversation and have it transcribed in the Notes app.
  • Make sure priority emails appear at the top of your Mail app inbox.
  • Siri gets a new user interface, a more conversational voice, and the “Type in Siri” feature.
  • Improved search in the Photos app, the ability to create memories on demand and search videos.
Features coming later include the ability to create custom emojis called Genmoji, the Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration. Siri will improve a few more features later by using your personal information to answer some questions. What's coming with iOS18.1 Developer Beta 2 is the distraction control feature for Safari. This feature appeared with iOS 18.5 Developer Beta 5, but was not part of the iOS18.1 developer beta so far.

Distraction Control allows you to remove certain elements from a website in Safari. To use it, with a website viewed in Safari, tap the icon on the far left of the URL bar, and on the next screen, tap “Hide Distracting Elements.” When you tap that, you'll see two options at the bottom of the screen: “Cancel” and “Select Item.” Press “Select Item” and tap the item you want to remove. A little blue button that says “Hide” will appear on the item you want to make disappear. Tap that, and with a pretty cool animation, the distracting element will be removed from the website. Press the “Cancel” button to restore the removed item.

How to install iOS18.1 Developer Beta 2 or iPadOS 18.1 Developer Beta 2 on your compatible iPhone or iPad. Settings > Generally > Software update and follow the instructions.

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