Apple is reportedly planning big updates to Safari as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15 later this year. According to Tuesday's announcement, the changes will include a new artificial intelligence-powered tool called Smart Search. with page summarization, “Web Eraser” ” function and much more.
iOS 18: new Safari features
The report, authored by Apple Insider's Marko Zivkovic, warns that “precise implementation”; of these features “remains unclear.” We'll take these claims with skepticism for now.
According to Zivkovic, Apple is planning a redesigned menu control for Safari's address bar that will “merge old and new page management tools.” in a central location. One of the new tools is reported to be Smart Search.
This feature, which is not enabled by default in test builds of Safari 18, can be activated from a new menu in the address bar. The tool will then “identify topics and key phrases on the web page”; and create a page summary. The report suggests that Apple is “aiming to introduce text summarization with Safari 18 later this year”; but again, the specific details are “fuzzy”.
Arc from The Browser Company also combines various AI features with web browsing, including page summarization options.
Safari 18 in iOS 18 and macOS 15 will also reportedly include something called “Web Eraser.”” The feature is “intended to allow users to delete or erase certain portions of web pages.” According to Zivkovic.
Using the Web Eraser feature, users can remove certain elements from a web page, such as advertisements, images, etc. This feature is already offered by some third-party ad blockers, but Apple seems to , is working on a native implementation for iOS 18 and macOS 15.
Notably, any changes you make to a web page will be applied every time you visit that page. “This means Safari will remember changes even after you close the original tab or window,” he says. – says Zivkovic.
When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will notify the user that the page has been modified to reflect the desired changes. The browser will also provide the user with the option to undo the changes and restore the web page to its original, unmodified state.
9to5Mac Opinion
Apple's introduction of what is essentially a built-in ad blocker in Safari could have disastrous consequences for ad-supported online publications like the one you're reading now. .
Follow Chance: Threads, Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon.
