As we swiftly approach a public release later this month, Apple has released iOS 18.3 beta 3 for developers. iOS 18.3 beta 3 features the build number 22D5055b. Compared to the monster iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 updates, iOS 18.3 is a relatively minor release for iPhone users. There are changes to the Calculator app, Settings app, various bug fixes and improvements, and more.
Notification Summary Changes
Apple’s iOS 18.3 Beta 3 brings a host of new features and improvements aimed at enhancing user experience and addressing previous issues. One of the most significant changes is in the Notification Summaries. Apple has made multiple changes in response to complaints about inaccurate summaries of news headlines. For now, summaries for apps in the News and Entertainment category have been disabled. Apple Intelligence temporarily stops summarizing news; it will return in a future update after necessary changes are implemented.
The Notifications Summaries in Settings states it’s a beta feature, highlighting potential errors as part of the experience. During setup, Apple has added the following wording for Notification Summaries: “Summarization may change the meaning of the original headlines. Double-check important information.” Summarized notifications are now shown with italicized text to distinguish them from standard notifications. Notification Summaries can be disabled on a per-app basis directly from the Lock Screen by swiping on a notification and tapping on the “Options” button to get to an interface for turning off summaries.
Camera Control
Another notable update is in the Camera Control section. On iPhone 16 models, the toggle for AE/AF lock has been renamed to “Lock Focus and Exposure,” which would be clearer to non-photographers who do not know what AE/AF Lock is. Lock Focus and Exposure lets you hold the Camera Control button lightly to lock settings, mimicking DSLR camera functionality.
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Messages
In the Messages app, there is now a Genmoji entry in the sidebar accessible by tapping on the “+” button in any conversation. Tapping it takes you to the Genmoji creation interface. This provides another way to access Genmoji tools, previously available through the emoji keyboard button in iOS.
PDF Editing
When editing a PDF through the screenshot interface, if you crop content out, Apple now warns that cropped content is not removed from the PDF. “Content outside the cropped area won’t be visible in most PDF viewers, but it can be made visible in some apps,” reads the message.
iOS 18.3 Beta 3 updates showcase Apple’s dedication to improving user experience and incorporating feedback from its user community. As always, beta features are subject to change, and users can expect further refinements in future updates.
