iOS 18 Beta 5: New Photos App Enhancements and Safari Features

Apple has recently rolled out iOS 18 Developer Beta 5, bringing a host of new features and improvements to iPhone users. This latest update focuses on enhancing the Photos app and introducing new functionalities to the Safari browser. Additionally, various other tweaks and system improvements have been included based on feedback from previous beta versions.

Highlights:

• iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 is now available for registered developers.
• Enhancements have been made to the Photos app and Safari browser.
• The update includes bug fixes and system improvements for the iPhone.

iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 Features

Apple officially released iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 for the iPhone on Monday. This update has brought several new features and improvements, some of which are based on the feedback received from previous beta updates. The user interface (UI) of the Photos app has been tweaked to make accessing media more convenient. Additionally, the Safari browser has received a new feature aimed at reducing distractions while reading web pages.

At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, which took place on June 10, Apple showcased its revamped Photos app. The app included a new carousel that enabled users to view highlights updated every day. However, when it was rolled out with the developer beta, it received mixed feedback from users. Some users complained about the complexity of viewing media through the carousel feature. Consequently, Apple has listened to the feedback and has rolled back the carousel feature with iOS 18 Developer Beta 5.

Moreover, the update brings a new feature to Safari. This feature is designed to reduce distractions, such as ads appearing on the page. It is called “Hide Distracting Items” and is capable of hiding different elements that overlay on a web page. However, it explicitly states that it is not an ad blocker. The hidden elements will reappear if the page is refreshed. It should be noted that the feature does not automatically hide items but requires manual selection by the user.

In addition to the Photos app and Safari updates, Apple has introduced new dark mode icons for two stock apps: Find My and Maps. Tweaks have also been made to the Screen Mirroring and Cellular Data icons in the iPhone Control Centre. Furthermore, a new “Edit Pages” option now appears when users press and hold on the home screen. This option enables them to remove select home screen pages, offering more customization.

It is worth mentioning that Apple has also released the fifth developer betas of iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, tvOS 18, and macOS Sequoia beta 5 for its devices. This extensive rollout demonstrates Apple’s commitment to enhancing the user experience across all its devices. The iOS 18 update is expected to be publicly available to iPhone users later this year.

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