Apple is finally releasing some of the Apple Intelligence features announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. However, the rollout is currently limited to developer beta versions of iOS 18.1. If you’re not keen on dealing with early-stage, buggy software, it’s best to wait for the public beta or the stable release later this year.

Getting Started with Apple Intelligence Features

For those on the developer beta, Apple Intelligence features are available only if your device’s language is set to U.S. English and your region is configured to the U.S. This setting will not affect your App Store region or purchases.

To start using Apple Intelligence features, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Apple Intelligence & Siri menu.
  3. Tap on Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist.

Once approved, you’ll receive a notification. It may take some time for your device to gather all the data needed to activate Apple Intelligence. You can also opt out of the feature at any time.

Image Credit: Apple

Apple’s AI features operate through a combination of on-device processing and Apple’s Personal Cloud. The waitlist helps ensure that there is sufficient service capacity to meet demand.

Currently Supported Devices

At the moment, Apple Intelligence is compatible with:

  • iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPads and Macs with M1 chips

Available Features

Here are some of the new features powered by Apple Intelligence:

  • New Siri Experience: Siri now has a new animation and a more refined voice. You can also double-tap the bottom bar to type out commands in noisy environments. Siri now handles stumbling phrases, for example, if you say, “Hey Siri, set a 10-minute, no, 15-minute timer,” it will set the 15-minute timer correctly.
  • How-to Questions: Siri can now assist with system-related how-tos, such as “How do I take a screen recording?”
  • Writing Tools: Apple Intelligence allows you to reformat text across your device. You can use the “Proofread” function to check for spelling and grammar errors, or use “Rewrite” to rephrase text without changing its meaning. You can also change the tone of your text by selecting from three options: “Friendly,” “Professional,” or “Concise.” Additionally, Apple Intelligence can summarize your text into lists, key points, or tables.
  • Mail App Enhancements: The Mail app now shows email summaries in one line without needing to open them. Important emails are highlighted at the top of your inbox. You can also use AI-generated smart replies to respond quickly to emails.
  • Photos: Search for photos using natural language queries. You can also create memories using prompts from Apple Intelligence.
  • Notification Summaries: Apple Intelligence can summarize certain mail and message notifications, making it easier to manage notifications.
  • Call Transcriptions: Apple Intelligence now powers call recording, allowing you to tap a button to record calls. These recordings are saved in a new “Call Recordings” folder in the Notes app.
  • Notes App Audio Support: You can record and transcribe audio directly into the Notes app. Apple Intelligence can also generate summaries of your notes automatically.

What’s Still Missing?

While Apple Intelligence brings a lot of new features, it’s not yet equipped with tools like object removal in photos, emoji generation, image editing, or ChatGPT-style interactions. There’s no set timeline for when we can expect these features to be released.

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Last Update: November 25, 2024