Apple has finally announced that its long-awaited Apple Intelligence features will be going live on October 28, 2024.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the research specialist on iPhone, the full iOS 18.1 update will transition out of the public beta version on October 28. However, most of the thrilling new features, such as integrations with AI capabilities, won't come online until later versions. Even iOS 18.2 is due to arrive in December 2024.
The new update would include notable features like ChatGPT integration, helping Siri utilize AI for better assistance. Another update would be Genmoji, a tool for generating personalized emojis based on user text or photos.
Among the more important new features coming in iOS 18.2 will be Image Playground. This is a creative tool similar to Google's Pixel Studio that lets users create AI-generated images of themselves or others.
Apple wants to iron out all the bugs in early November for a smooth rollout of iOS 18.2. A third version of iOS, iOS18.3 might be anticipated by the end of the calendar year. Although, these will likely be very minor upgrades.
The new iOS 18.1 public beta will have AI-driven upgrades that should provide users with unbridled productivity gains in a whole range of applications, before the October launch. Writing tools will include improved grammar and spell checking, summaries, and rewritten suggestions based on your writing style.
For photos, there will be ‘Clean Up’, a feature that removes the clutter from photographs with ‘Memory Movie’, where users will be able to create slideshows based on text prompts.
Compatible iOS 18 devices will even have audio recording capabilities in the Notes app and those with Apple Intelligence will summarise recordings automatically. Compatible devices running call recording will show transcripts and summaries as well.
Siri is also due for some major updates, as it will be able to take more follow-up questions and make corrections. This virtual assistant would come out in a new visual layout with flash along the borders of the screen, and communicate more seamlessly with humans. Read more
In addition to a wider inbox reshuffling expected later in the year, people will get inbox summaries and smart replies within the Mail app. Notifications will be rearranged as well, showing summaries of alerts, with priority messages that spotlight important emails for quicker access.
Eligible devices for Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These features will rely on the Apple M-series processors and the latest chipsets, A17 Pro, and A18.
To activate, go to the settings, and tap on Apple Intelligence & Siri. Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist and wait for the notification about the availability of the features.