Apple has released the third beta of iOS 18.1 for developers. This release comes loaded with a host of innovative features and smart improvements, most notably the new “Clean Up” tool for the Photos app. This update represents a quantum leap in the world of photo editing on mobile devices, with other additions that enhance the user experience in a comprehensive manner. In this article, we will learn in some detail about this new feature and some of the other updates offered by iOS 18.1.

From iPhoneIslam.com, a demo of the photo editing app shows a person being removed from a photo using the cleanup tool. The screen shows a before and after comparison with an arrow pointing to the edited result. There is Arabic text.


Clean Up: A Revolution in Photo Editing

The “Clean Up” feature is the most notable addition in this update, offering users the ability to remove unwanted elements from their photos with unprecedented ease. However, this tool requires AI techniques.Apple Intelligence“, making it able to analyze images and automatically identify removable objects. While its performance may be patchy at this early stage, it represents a big step toward improving the photo editing experience on the iPhone.

◉ To use this feature, the user opens the image to be edited, then clicks on the edit button, to find a new icon with the eraser symbol. If you do not find it activated, download it from the same place.

◉ When this eraser tool is enabled, the system automatically selects the items it thinks you want to remove, and the user can remove them with one click.

◉ If automatic selection is not available, the user can manually select the item by drawing a circle around it.

◉ This feature works best with images with simple backgrounds and relatively small objects. With objects that are automatically highlighted, the cleaning works well.

From iPhoneIslam.com, two images of a smartphone screen being used to edit photos by erasing a traffic cone from a shipyard scene. The first image shows the cone, the second image shows it being removed using a cleaning tool.

However, the cleaning tool may face some challenges when dealing with complex images or trying to remove large objects when manually selected, it may be a bit difficult to get a clean look. You may have to repeat the cleaning process to improve the result.

The tool seems to be designed more for small unwanted objects in the background of your photos. To remove these small objects, simply zoom in on the image and then circle them.

◉ Also the tool doesn't work with live photos and when you use "clean up" it turns it into a still image. You can go back to running the live photo again, but you will lose the clean up adjustment.

◉ The cleaner works on all other types of photos, including screenshots, old photos, and photos you didn't take with your iPhone.

◉ You also cannot use the clean feature on videos.

It is important to note that this technology is still in its early stages, and is expected to see significant improvements in the near future.


Transparency in the use of the cleaning tool

From iPhoneIslam.com, a hand holding a smartphone and a photo editing app. The left screen shows three children standing outdoors, while the right screen, enhanced with intelligent enhancements, highlights the tallest child with a circle drawn around him.

Apple demonstrates its commitment to transparency by adding a note in the metadata of edited photos indicating that AI was used to modify the image. Additionally, all edits are reversible, allowing users to revert back to the original image at any time.

This move reflects the company's awareness of the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in image editing, and provides users and recipients alike with transparent information about the origin of the image and the nature of the modifications made to it.


Additional improvements in iOS 18.1 update

In addition to the “Clean Up” feature, the iOS 18.1 update brings a range of other improvements that enhance the user experience, such as:

Improved notification summaries

From iPhoneIslam.com, the hand holds a smartphone displaying the Notification Center with various alerts, including a baseball game update, a delivery notification, an email, and a camera alert of someone being seen. As part of its smart improvements, the device seamlessly integrates all notifications into one accessible center.

The Notification Summary feature has been expanded to include all apps, giving users a comprehensive view of their notifications without having to open each app individually.

You can also see summaries of both multiple incoming messages and individual notifications, giving you more information at a glance.

This improvement helps organize incoming information more efficiently, saving time and improving the user experience.

Improvements to the messaging app

Users can now use stickers from third-party apps in conversations like emoji. This was a feature in previous betas, but it only worked with stickers from Apple apps and stickers you created from photos.

This addition expands the range of expression and communication options available to users, making conversations more interactive and personal.


Future expectations

iOS 18.1 represents a significant step in the evolution of iOS, particularly in terms of integrating AI technologies into the core functionality of the device. By introducing advanced tools that were previously limited to specialized desktop software, Apple opens up new horizons for the capabilities of the iPhone.

Apple is expected to continue to refine and improve these features, especially the “Clean Up” tool, with future releases. This trend suggests that iPhones are becoming more capable of handling complex tasks that previously required powerful computers.

While some features are still in their early stages, the future looks promising for iPhone users. As Apple continues to develop and refine these technologies, we can expect more innovations that will change the way we interact with the iPhone and greatly enhance its capabilities.

What do you think of the new “Clean Up” feature? Do you think it will change the way you edit photos and is it needed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Source:

macrumors

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