Apple finally jumped onto the AI bandwagon, and at the 2024 WWDC event, the tech giant announced an exciting new feature coined by Apple Intelligence. As Apple calls it, it’s a personal intelligence system that sets a new standard for AI by delivering content that is genuinely helpful and makes our lives easier.
Not only is it faster, but it’s also a lot more personal—all while protecting your privacy. Here’s a look at the new features added in iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence supported devices
Unlike other AI tools, Apple Intelligence will primarily be doing on-device processing. While this ensures higher privacy and data protection, it also means that the AI needs a powerful processor. This is why, at the time of writing, Apple Intelligence will only be supported on modern Apple Silicon, which includes the A17 Pro and the company’s M-series processors.
In case you’re wondering if your device is compatible or not, here’s a full list of the devices that will support Apple Intelligence features at launch:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPad Air (M1 and later, 5th generation and newer)
- iPad Pro (M1 and later, 5th generation and newer)
- MacBook Air (M1 and later)
- MacBook Pro (M1 and later)
- iMac (M1 and later)
- Mac Mini (M1 and later)
- Mac Studio (M1 Max and later)
- Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)
It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence is available in iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 1. As of writing, the feature is free to use for all supported users. However, some tools are only made available in the U.S.
Top Apple Intelligence features
Apple has announced plenty of smart features under its Apple Intelligence umbrella. The best part is that all of these features will work seamlessly within the ecosystem and also come with a new SDK to ensure third-party app developers also start integrating these features.
Here’s a look at some of the best features that will be introduced later this year as part of Apple Intelligence.
1. Apple’s new Writing Tools
Probably the most anticipated announcement was the inclusion of Apple’s new Writing Tools. Thanks to its use of advanced AI capabilities, these tools offer features such as predictive text, grammar checking, and style suggestions. As a result, you will be able to compose better emails and texts to your friends and family in less time. It can also create a summary for your already written text as well, which can come in handy for generating quick TLDRs.
Speaking of summaries, Apple has released Call Recordings to your iPhone with iOS 18.1 beta 1. Once the call recording is done, you will be able to generate a transcript of the conversation. Or, you can even generate a summary instead.
Apple takes smart reading capabilities to new heights by displaying time-sensitive messages at the top of your inbox, such as an invitation with a deadline or a reminder to check in for that day. You can also choose to show a summary of long emails right in the inbox.
As for communications, Apple has introduced Smart Reply based on the context of the conversation in the Mail app. Notifications are also summarized to make them easier to scan. You will also get priority alerts at the top of the notification stack, highlighting what you should focus on right away. Moreover, there’s a new Focus mode named Reduce Interruptions. It recognizes the content of your notifications and displays those that require quick attention.
2. Image Generation
Apple Intelligence also brings a handful of image-generation tools to your Apple devices. For starters, there’s the Image Playground app, which lets you creatively generate different images based on a description, suggested concepts, and even a person from your Photos library. You can choose different image styles, such as animation, illustration, and sketch.
Do you ever struggle to find the right emoji? Well, now you can create your own custom emoji using Genmoji with the help of Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s smart features also integrate well into your Photos app. You can ask the AI to create a custom memory movie based on the photos you describe. It will also create a screenplay with distinct chapters depending on the themes it discovers and organize your photos according to that.
You can now search for photos and videos by describing them. Apple Intelligence can even identify a specific time in a video clip that matches your search criteria and directs you to it. There’s also a Clean Up tool, which basically lets you erase unwanted elements in the background from an image.
3. Smarter Siri
With iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, Siri can now be used as a full-fledged assistant. It can seamlessly access and take actions in and across apps, helping you get things done from the home screen itself. According to Apple, Siri will now understand the personal context and have onscreen awareness to provide more efficient answers.
You can use Siri to unlock and understand new features of your device. It can also offer proactive suggestions and reminders based on your behavior and preferences. As always, all of Siri’s features will work seamlessly through the Apple ecosystem. If you don’t want to speak out loud, you may type your queries to Siri by double-tapping the bottom of your iPhone or iPad screen.
4. ChatGPT Integration
Of course, Siri does have its limitations, and that’s where ChatGPT steps in. With ChatGPT from OpenAI integrated into Siri, you will be able to use AI to search the web and get answers to more complex problems. Interestingly, anyone will be able to use ChatGPT for free, without creating an account. Add to that, ChatGPT will only be used once you approve it.
5. Private Cloud
As with most Apple products, Privacy is at the heart of Apple Intelligence. The feature is integrated into the core of your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through on-device processing. However, Apple is also introducing Private Cloud Compute, which allows the company to run more complex requests on Apple Silicon-based larger server-based models in the cloud. That said, your data will never be stored and completely erased after processing. Apple also promises verifiable privacy by security researchers.
You can also see if your queries to Apple Intelligence were processed on-device or through Apple’s private cloud. Simply go to Settings and select Privacy & Security. Here, you can export your Apple Intelligence Report after verifying your Face ID or Touch ID. As this report includes sensitive information about your interactions, it is saved only for 15 minutes. However, you may keep the report for seven days or turn off expiry.
How to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist
Apple’s Intelligence features rolled out with the first beta update of iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. However, they will not be available immediately. Once you update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you need to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
- Go to Settings.
- Here, you can see a new option, Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Select it and tap on Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
After a few hours, you will get access to Apple Intelligence.
Early iOS 18.1 beta testers reported quick access to the feature. However, when more people install the beta, Apple may delay the process of granting access to the feature.
Video: Apple Intelligence (AI): Features, supported devices and how to use
Signing Off
While other companies have tried using AI to become your personal assistant, Apple definitely has the advantage, thanks to your personal data. As long as it can live up to its promise of protecting your information, Apple Intelligence is easily the most powerful and personal AI out there. And that’s just another reason to be excited about the iPhone 16 series expected to launch later this year.
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