Apple News+ is enhancing its service by rolling out daily Sudoku puzzles, a feature that has launched alongside the release of iOS 18.2 beta 1. This new offering enables subscribers to enjoy Sudoku across different levels of difficulty—easy, medium, and hard—directly within the Apple News app. Additionally, users can monitor their Sudoku performance, making for a more interactive and tailored experience.
The new Sudoku puzzles were initially brought to attention by Chris Carley on Threads, sparking enthusiasm among Apple News+ users. To access the puzzles, users can head to the “Following” tab in the News app and select the “Puzzles” option. It’s worth mentioning that this feature is limited to Apple News+ subscribers, currently available only in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Within this select geographic area, the Sudoku puzzles are specifically made available to users in both the U.S. and Canada.
The launch of Sudoku comes as part of the iOS 18.2 update, which is presently undergoing developer beta testing. This update supports certain iPhone models, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 variants. A wider beta testing phase is expected to start in November, with a public release likely in December.
In spite of the exciting new addition, there are urges for Apple to enhance the discoverability of puzzles within the Apple News app. As reported by 9to5Mac, the current design may not make it straightforward for users to locate these new features. Recommendations include redesigning the app to enable a customizable toolbar, potentially substituting the current “Sports” tab with a dedicated “Puzzles” section. This modification could improve user participation by making puzzles easier to find and more visible.
The introduction of daily Sudoku puzzles to Apple News+ signifies a substantial improvement for subscribers seeking engaging content. As Apple continues to adapt its offerings, the incorporation of interactive features like Sudoku not only enhances the user experience but also establishes Apple News+ as a more adaptable platform. As the iOS 18.2 update is deployed, it will be fascinating to observe how users react to these new functionalities and whether Apple will make adjustments to enhance the app’s layout for increased accessibility.
For puzzle enthusiasts, this new feature is a delightful addition, offering a fun and challenging way to engage with the Apple ecosystem.
