Apple Intelligence, the company’s ambitious artificial intelligence initiative announced at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), is still in development. While its full range of features remains under wraps, the company has been gradually releasing glimpses of its capabilities through the iOS 18.1 developer beta program. This beta, accessible only to developers and select individuals with invitations from Apple, provides early access to some of the features planned for public release.
One of the most recent additions to Apple Intelligence, unveiled in the third iOS 18.1 beta released this week, is a new tool in the Photos app called ‘Clean Up.’ This innovative feature promises to revolutionize the way users edit their photos by automatically detecting and removing unwanted objects from images.
How does ‘Clean Up’ work? Upon activation in the Photos app, it automatically identifies objects that might be considered undesirable within an image. Users can also manually select objects for removal by tapping, circling, or brushing over them with their fingers. This allows for precise control over which objects are removed from the image, ensuring that the desired elements remain intact. ‘Clean Up’ also allows users to zoom in on a photo to remove smaller objects, adding an extra layer of precision to the editing process.
After highlighting the objects for removal, tapping on them initiates the ‘Clean Up’ process. The tool will then seamlessly remove the unwanted elements from the image, leaving a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing result. Users can then save the edited photo to their library by selecting ‘Done’ or choose ‘Reset’ to revert back to the original image. An undo button is also available, allowing users to reverse changes one at a time, providing further flexibility and control over the editing process.
The ‘Clean Up’ feature, like any other edit within the Photos app, allows users to return to the original version at any time, even after months have passed since the changes were made. This ensures that users never lose the original image and can always revert to the untouched version if desired.
My personal experience with the ‘Clean Up’ tool during its beta phase has been positive. I found it to be a remarkably effective feature, capable of removing even the most complex objects from photos with impressive accuracy. However, I did encounter instances where the filling around the removed objects didn’t appear completely seamless. This is understandable, given the tool is still in development. However, I anticipate this will improve significantly over time.
The ‘Clean Up’ tool is compatible with any image in your Photos library, regardless of its origin, including photos taken with traditional cameras or other smartphones. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for anyone who desires to enhance their photo collection by removing distracting elements.
Apple is expected to release portions of Apple Intelligence alongside the public launch of iOS 18.1, potentially as early as October. Prior to that, iOS 18 is anticipated to be released around the time the new iPhones arrive next month. The full rollout of Apple Intelligence will likely be a gradual process, with more features being introduced over time. ‘Clean Up’ is a compelling glimpse into the potential of Apple Intelligence, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-powered photo editing and setting the stage for a new era of creativity and control for photographers.
