Apple Releases New macOS Sequoia 15.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence

[MacRumors]

Apple today released a new macOS Sequoia 15.1 public beta, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October 28 launch. The latest beta comes a day after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers.

Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option.

iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta includes Writing Tools, Siri updates, summaries, AI-powered Focus modes, and smart replies. To use Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 16 model, or M-series Mac or iPad.

Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text.

Siri has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to Siri means you don't have to speak to Siri to get answers. Siri‌ can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications.

Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos.

More on all of the features that are available in the betas right now can be found in our Apple Intelligence guide. Image Playground, Genmoji, and other new Siri features have not yet been implemented.

Article Link: Apple Releases New macOS Sequoia 15.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence

 

[DrJR]

"Smart replies".... hmmmm. Smart comments would be nice addition to MacRumors.

Just tryin' to help.

 

[infiniteentropy]

Apple: This thing sucks, it can't reason at all.

Also Apple: This thing is amazing, you're welcome!

 

[Unity451]

Any word on a fix for all the network connection issues?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m so happy to be running Intel still so I’m getting automatically excluded from this nonsense

 

[tyrnnsrs]

Is this build the same as Beta 7?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I’m so happy to be running Intel still so I’m getting automatically excluded from this nonsense

So when the Siri T2's arise, you'll basically be John Connor?

 

[turbineseaplane]

So when the Siri T2's arise, you'll basically be John Connor?

Lol

All I know is I haven’t seen anything from these new features that I’m interested in at all so far so I’m just not worried about it and I just do not want to even have to think about disabling it or anything

I’m also by no means anti-new things… In fact, I’m installing a Comma C3X in my electric car tomorrow

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Yes, just joking. I'm not burning for A.I. either. But all of that "the cloud, the cloud!" didn't "get me" either.

 

[Thisismattwade]

I'm enjoying Sequoia 15.0.1 on my (base) M1 MBA. I'm assuming I can turn off "Apple Intelligence"-esque aspects of the apps I use, like Mail and Messages. Is that a good assumption? I have no plans to update right away anyway.

 

[Jay Tee]

Yes, just joking. I'm not burning for A.I. either. But all of that "the cloud, the cloud!" didn't "get me" either.

This is going to be a dumpster fire of bugs. I'll install in six months, at the earliest.

 

[xmlninja]

Will "apple intelligence" add bilingual support for Siri?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

This is going to be a dumpster fire of bugs. I'll install in six months, at the earliest.

I'm just going to disable all the AI stuff and keep using macOS like I currently do. I've had Siri disabled on Mac since it was released.

Same goes for iOS.

 

[CloneBB]

I am going to turn on all the AI features day one and use them daily. And when more features drop I will enable them as well.

 

[cjsuk]

We aren't getting M4 macs until this ships I bet.

 

[MacSam55]

Apple today released a new macOS Sequoia 15.1 public beta, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October 28 launch. The latest beta comes a day after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers.

Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option.

iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta includes Writing Tools, Siri updates, summaries, AI-powered Focus modes, and smart replies. To use Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 16 model, or M-series Mac or iPad.

Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text.

Siri has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to Siri means you don't have to speak to Siri to get answers. Siri‌ can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications.

Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos.

More on all of the features that are available in the betas right now can be found in our Apple Intelligence guide. Image Playground, Genmoji, and other new Siri features have not yet been implemented.

Article Link: Apple Releases New macOS Sequoia 15.1 Public Beta With Apple Intelligence

I don't understand why the Vocal Shortcut in Accessibility to wake Siri as in iOS 18 is not available in Sequoia. To say "Computer" then speak a command is such a natural thing to enable as part of the interface. Creating a Star Trek sort of experience for the user. I don't get it. Why only the iOS and iPad OS?

 

[flybass]

I’m going to have tons and tons of bugs!

 

[nostradumbass]

Apple: This thing sucks, it can't reason at all.

Also Apple: This thing is amazing, you're welcome!

Who said "AI" reasons anyway? That's just using anthromorphic terms where they can't find a computer equivalent term. The other example, they "hallucinate". They don't, but that's the best term we can use to describe spasming out like a drunkard.

 

[Siliconguy]

I’m so happy to be running Intel still so I’m getting automatically excluded from this nonsense

My A13 is also safe.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

This is going to be a dumpster fire of bugs. I'll install in six months, at the earliest.

I'm on the "not until about WWDC" train myself. The new guiding rule which used to be .2 or .3 is now .4 or .5 for me.

 

[ChrisA]

I’m so happy to be running Intel still so I’m getting automatically excluded from this nonsense

So the rest of us can ask the Photo's app to find the photo of "Kattie and her dog from 2 or 3 years ago" and you will simply scroll through 1,200 images to find it. I ask for the utility pole in the foreground to be removed while you try to use a select tool to outline the pole then use the clone tool to fill in the outline. I think people will like most of these AI features even if they only work 80% of the time.

 

[nickf]

Who said "AI" reasons anyway? That's just using anthromorphic terms where they can't find a computer equivalent term. The other example, they "hallucinate". They don't, but that's the best term we can use to describe spasming out like a drunkard.

AI is just applied statistics really.

 

[TJFDenver]

AI is just applied statistics really.

Weighted if then else

 

[crazymac]

Any word on a fix for all the network connection issues?

I have been having network issues when using ethernet and wifi connection at the same time.

 

[turbineseaplane]

So the rest of us can ask the Photo's app to find the photo of "Kattie and her dog from 2 or 3 years ago" and you will simply scroll through 1,200 images to find it. I ask for the utility pole in the foreground to be removed while you try to use a select tool to outline the pole then use the clone tool to fill in the outline. I think people will like most of these AI features even if they only work 80% of the time.

You just described two things I don't do

In any case, please do enjoy the features!

To each our own