While Apple may have joined the AI landscape a bit late, it’s always better to arrive late than never. At the recent WWDC 2024, the tech giant unveiled its ambitious initiative called Apple Intelligence (aptly abbreviated as AI), emphasizing the personalization of machine learning tailored to enhance daily routines rather than showcasing dazzling chatbots akin to those seen in the film “Her.” Although this version of AI might seem mundane, its simplicity could be the secret to its effectiveness.
A key drawback is that Apple Intelligence did not launch simultaneously with iOS 18; it has been rolled out gradually. Each batch of features has been meticulously tested through a beta phase before full public release. Users had the opportunity to experience nine features in 18.1 while Apple was still troubleshooting, and now those features are finally accessible to everyone.
Currently, Apple Intelligence is compatible only with the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, as well as any MacBook or iPad equipped with an M1 chip or higher, with the exception of the newly released 2024 iPad Mini. Regrettably, there are no major Apple Intelligence functionalities available for devices below the iPhone 15 Pro standard. Additionally, users must set their device to the U.S. region and U.S. English to access these features, although there is anticipation for support in other languages. To tap into this initial wave of features, it is essential to upgrade to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1, if you haven’t done so yet.
To get started with Apple Intelligence, as a demonstration of Apple’s commitment to user privacy, the feature is not activated by default. Instead, users must navigate to Settings and locate the new Apple Intelligence & Siri section — devices that aren’t authorized will only show the standard Siri section. Here, users can join a waitlist, with Apple projecting minimal waiting time of just a few hours at most. This measure likely serves to manage the influx of users upgrading simultaneously, so there’s no need to worry about the possibility of rejection.
Approval notifications should arrive relatively swiftly — in my own experience, it only took five minutes. Following the initial wave of upgrades to 18.1, it is expected that the wait time has decreased even more. It’s important to remember that approximately 4 GB of storage is required for the machine learning models that facilitate Apple Intelligence functionality. If your device is running low on space, it may be necessary to offload some apps to create the needed room. Make sure to connect to a Wi-Fi network while downloading these models to avoid data overages. Once the download process is complete, a prompt to “Turn On Apple Intelligence” will appear. Click on this and proceed through the prompts to choose which app notifications you want to summarize. Note that joining the waitlist is required only once for each Apple account, but subsequent setup steps need to be followed for each supported device.
Among the standout features of Apple Intelligence is the upgraded Siri 2.0, designed to rival and potentially outclass Google Assistant. However, it is essential to note that the current version of Siri on iOS/iPadOS 18.1 (and macOS 15.1) is still Siri 1.5. Therefore, it may be premature to start tasking Siri with complex commands, as this could lead to disappointment. The enhancements to Siri primarily include a revamped user interface featuring a glowing line around the screen and a more human-like voice along with improved comprehension capabilities.
Furthermore, Siri now offers limited tech support; users can inquire about Apple products and receive step-by-step instructions for various tasks. Although these changes are minor, they provide quick help without needing to resort to a web search. Anecdotally, the improvements to Siri’s functionality feel modest; she exhibits less dependence on generic Google responses but has broadened her question-answering capabilities.
If you’re an aspiring novelist or a student finishing your thesis, the frustration of using cumbersome spellcheck tools like Grammarly could be a thing of the past. The new Writing Tools integrated into the Apple Intelligence suite provides users with an impressive array of proofreading, summarization, and text-rewriting functionalities directly on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — and at no additional cost.
Accessing Writing Tools on iPhones and iPads is straightforward. Simply select the text to modify and use the menu that pops up to choose the Writing Tools option, or tap on the Apple Intelligence icon situated above the keyboard. On a Mac, right-click and navigate down to Writing Tools or opt to create a shortcut such as Shift+Cmd+W.
The suite offers various functionalities, including proofreading for spelling and grammar errors, summarizing text, and rewriting passages. Users can condense their writing into lists, bullet points, or tables and customize the tone to suit a friendlier or more professional context. Additionally, the forthcoming 18.2/15.2 update promises a ChatGPT-like option to personalize your prose.
Through personal experience, I’ve found these tools sufficient for basic usage; while they may not rival advanced AI like ChatGPT, the proofreading capabilities surpass those of the built-in proofreader, and the summarizing feature effectively distills lengthy notes into essential points. The tone adjustment functionalities can also enhance the polish of an email before sending it off.
After years of dissatisfaction with Apple’s default Mail app, the introduction of Mail Summaries and Smart Replies in Apple Intelligence for 18.1/15.1 could entice users to revisit it. Each incoming email will receive an automatic summary that is displayed at the email’s top, and for older emails, users can tap the Summarize button to generate one.
Smart Replies will also be newly generated based on the context of each email, allowing for quick responses. Users can further adjust these responses using Writing Tools, with both features functioning uniformly across iPads and Macs. It’s important to note that these enhancements are limited to the Apple Mail application and do not extend to third-party email clients.
Additionally, a feature called Priority Messages identifies time-sensitive emails needing immediate attention. This functionality activates by default, though if it isn’t, you can enable it on an iPhone by tapping the three dots or through the View menu on a Mac. Summarization and Smart Replies will similarly function within iMessages, providing automatic summaries of conversations and relevant Smart Replies.
Moreover, the enhancements to Apple Mail are set to continue, with 18.2 promising intelligent categorization of mail and future updates introducing the digest view that was showcased during WWDC. In time, Apple Mail may finally become a platform worth using.
With Apple Intelligence, when notifications are summarized, an icon indicator will appear, identical to those found in Writing Tools and Mail Summaries. Users can tap this icon to view the full messages behind the summary, which I have tested extensively. While the notification summarization is commendably executed, it’s not flawless; occasionally, users may still need to verify the accuracy of the information provided. With Apple Intelligence still in beta, further refinements are anticipated over the coming months.
There’s also a new focus mode called Reduce Interruptions, allowing users to silence notifications intelligently. This feature can be activated via Settings > Focus > Reduce Interruptions, enabling users to personalize their notification experience.
In response to the prowess of the Google Pixel 9 in AI-powered photography tools like the Magic Eraser, Apple has introduced its equivalent called Clean Up. This feature is unique in that it does not require your device to be set to the U.S. region or in U.S. English. Users can access photo editing tools by selecting Clean Up and allowing their device to determine which objects to remove with a quick tap. Alternatively, users can manually circle or scribble out elements they wish to discard. On Mac, brush size can be adjusted for more precise editing.
Furthermore, the enhanced photo search capabilities allow users to describe what they are looking for using natural language, significantly easing the process of locating specific moments in videos. This eliminates the hassle of clumsy keyword searches and endless video scrubbing. An exciting additional feature lets users create simple slideshows from their photos and videos, set to music. Just navigate to the Memories section in the Photos app, describe the desired slideshow output, and let your device handle the rest.
iOS 18.1 introduces call recording, a functionality that could be crucial for legal matters. However, be advised that this feature is not available in several regions, especially within the European Union and the UAE. When using this feature, it is essential to inform the participant on the call and gain their consent, as the iPhone will automatically notify them upon starting the recording. Before recording, ensure your awareness of whether you reside in a one-party or two-party consent state, as recording calls without consent could be illegal in certain jurisdictions.
To utilize the call recording function, tap the transcription button while on the call. After confirmation of the recording, you can continue with your conversation as usual. The recording stops either when you choose to pause or hang up. Users can find recorded calls saved in the Call Recordings folder within the Notes app. Currently, this feature is exclusive to the iPhone, but recorded calls can be accessed on iPads or Macs through Notes.
Later, users can replay recorded calls or obtain transcripts with speaker tags for easier navigation during the playback, greatly simplifying the process of finding specific moments or extracting information without needing to manually transcribe. These transcription and summarization features are also included for audio notes recorded in Voice Memos, allowing users to directly capture their audio notes in the Notes app if they prefer working outside of Voice Memos.
Users can also effortlessly summarize webpages using the Apple Intelligence features, which provide quick information extraction from various sites. The speed of the summaries is impressive; however, accuracy can often be variable, capturing broad concepts while missing finer points. It’s best practice to verify this information against the original webpage, particularly given that Apple Intelligence remains in beta and generative AI can produce inconsistencies.
The features available in iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 mark the dawn of a more extensive rollout of Apple Intelligence capabilities. Current beta users are now able to access the upcoming enhancements in 18.2/15.2, which includes exciting tools like Image Playground — a feature that generates prompt-based images in diverse artistic styles, Image Wand for transforming sketches into detailed illustrations, and Genmoji that crafts emoji suited to various moments. Furthermore, this update will extend support for ChatGPT, introduce Visual Intelligence features, and improve Writing Tools to accommodate a wider variety of English dialects. The public release of 18.2/15.2 is scheduled for December.
The subsequent 18.3/15.3 count on being a more minor update, likely resulting in only a handful of upgrades to existing Apple Intelligence features. The major anticipatory item is the highly enhanced Siri in the 18.4 update, expected to launch around March 2025. Siri will gain the capability to make decisions based on user context and screen content, extending far beyond Apple’s previous demonstrations at WWDC. Additionally, Apple has plans to broaden language support to include languages like Chinese, French, and Spanish.
Assuming WWDC retains its position in June, it won’t be long before the next iteration of Apple Intelligence is revealed. It appears unlikely that iOS 19 will boast as dramatic features compared to what was previously anticipated. The timeline for when Apple Intelligence will exit beta and become fully reliable remains uncertain.
To review the original webpage for in-depth details. The summarization function can be particularly useful for students or professionals who need to quickly grasp the essence of lengthy articles without investing too much time.
the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 marks a significant step forward in enhancing user experiences on Apple devices through advanced machine learning capabilities. Features such as upgraded Siri, Writing Tools, and Apple Mail enhancements indicate a concerted effort by Apple to compete in today’s tech landscape, providing users with powerful tools to streamline their tasks and improve productivity. While there are certain limitations, particularly regarding device compatibility and the requirement to enable features actively, the feedback from early users suggests a promising start that could very well align Apple products more closely with user needs in the future.
As Apple refines these functionalities with future updates, users can look forward to an increasingly intuitive interface and a broader array of features, cementing the utility of Apple Intelligence as a cornerstone of Apple’s software ecosystem. For anyone considering adopting these updates, the benefits may be well worth the investment in time and storage required to truly unlock the full potential of their devices.
