On Monday, October 28, Apple finally rolled out Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 update. Apple has finally dipped its toes in artificial intelligence with the tagline “AI for the rest of us.”
While Apple Intelligence is getting a lot of hype, like artificial intelligence in general, many people still don’t know what it is or how to use it properly.
In this no-BS guide (yes, there is a lot of fluffed-up content out there), we’ll explain Apple Intelligence and everything you need to know about it.
Table of Contents
- First, how can I get Apple Intelligence?
- How does Apple see its new product?
- What is Apple Intelligence capable of?
- What does security and privacy look like with Apple Intelligence?
- Is ChatGPT Powering Apple Intelligence?
- What are Apple Intelligence capabilities?
- What devices support Apple Intelligence?
- Where is Apple Intelligence available in the world?
- Wrap Up
First, how can I get Apple Intelligence?
Apple has released Apple Intelligence available in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1.
How does Apple see its new product?
Apple Intelligence is essentially a whole suite of AI-powered tools available to you. It uses your personal data to generate information based on the situation you’re using it in. Apple has a bedded these tools directly within its own operating system and apps, rather than its own standalone program. Think of Apple building everything within its core, rather than building it out in an app like ChatGPT.
In June 2024, CEO Tim Cook said, “It’s personal intelligence, and it’s the next big step for Apple.”
What is Apple Intelligence capable of?
Simply put, Apple Intelligence will interpret data from different sources, such as your routine, relationships, connections, and much more, before giving you answers. It personalizes the context in everything that is generated, specifically to you. It’s your personal assistant, essentially. And no, it’s no just like Siri. I know that’s what you started to think about. It’s miles ahead of Siri.
What does security and privacy look like with Apple Intelligence?
It’s understandable that privacy and security concerns at the forefront of your thoughts. After all, it’s using your data to serve you results. I, too, am concerned, so let’s discuss this further.
Apple has repeatedly stressed that privacy and security related to Apple Intelligence are always the top priorities. The company has said that the features run entirely on your device to preserve privacy and security. Certain other features use Private Cloud Compute, Apple’s own cloud computing system designed specifically for AI data processing.
“When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request,” Apple said in this week’s press release.
Is ChatGPT Powering Apple Intelligence?
ChatGPT is integrated into Apple Intelligence, but only some parts. Those parts include Writing Tools and Siri. It’s important to note that because ChatGPT is included in some of these tools, the data-use policies apple from OpenAI.
More importantly, a user can opt-out of the ChatGPT use. So you don’t have to use it. If you prefer not to have ChatGPT process any data, you can easily opt out.
What are Apple Intelligence capabilities?
As mentioned earlier, Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into Apple’s software, so it will show up as new tools and features added into existing software and apps.
At the launch of Apple Intelligence, here are the included features:
Writing Tools
Apple’s intelligent tools can now help you polish and rephrase text effortlessly, adjusting wording and tone to match a professional, concise, or friendly style. Additionally, it can transcribe audio recordings within apps like Notes and Phone (with call recording now possible) and create concise summaries of lengthy text. These Writing Tools are accessible “almost anywhere you type,” spanning apps like Mail, Messages, and even compatible third-party apps.
Photos – Clean Up
Through the Photos app, users can edit images and perform tasks like cleaning up unwanted elements. It’s relatively easy to go and will allow you to make sure your photos are top-shape before sending it to your family group chat.
Photos – Create a Memory movie
Currently available only on iPhone and iPad, the Memories feature in the Photos app allows a user to type a description of the video they want to see. From there, Apple Intelligence will put together a “Memory Movie” based on what you described, pulling data in from photos and videos. It’s essentially a storyline shared with you in both photos and video format and output is the Memory Movie.
Notification Summaries
Apple Intelligence now offers a feature that summarizes lengthy or stacked notifications right on your Lock Screen. This can save you from scrolling endlessly through 100 new group chat messages. However, receiving an AI-generated summary of breakup texts might feel a bit… weird. If you want to, you can disable Apple Intelligence’s Message summaries in Settings if you’d prefer full notifications.
Reduce Interruptions Focus
By analyzing the contents of your notifications, Apple Intelligence will interpret if you should be interrupted based on the urgency of the notification. For this to work, you have to be in the Reduce Interruptions Focus mode.
Priority Messages in Your Mail
At the top of your Mail inbox app, you’ll notice a new Priority Message section. In this section, Apple Intelligence will help organize your most urgent emails. Examples of important messages include office emails that require your immediate response, your flight’s boarding pass, or even an update on your insurance claim for your car’s damage.
Smart Reply in Messages and Mail
Based on the content at question, Apple Intelligence will provide Smart Reply suggestions. It will provide replies, as well as identify any questions that you need to address.
And many more features
These are some of the more important and main features we covered. As Apple Intelligence moves forward, Apple will continue to work on expanding the reach and capabilities. This results in a better experience for you on your Apple devices. You can look forward to a significant update planned for December.
What devices support Apple Intelligence?
As of launch on Monday, Apple Intelligence is available for all iPhone 16 models, as well as some iPhone 15 models.
Here’s the list of iPhone models that support Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
Aside from Apple’s iPhone models, there are also some Apple tablets and laptops that will support Apple Intelligence. Apple devices that have at minimum the M1 chip or later will be supported. The list includes:
- iPad Pro
- iPad Air
- iPad mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iMac
- Mac mini
- Mac Studio
- Mac Pro
Where is Apple Intelligence available in the world?
The good news is that Apple Intelligence is available in most regions of the world. The exception here is the EU and China. As of right now, Apple Intelligence is supported only in US English. If you live outside the US, you will need to change your device and Siri’s language settings to try out Apple Intelligence.
Apple will be adding support for more regions in its December 2024 update, more specifically Australian, Canadian, Irish, Kiwi, South African, and UK English. Those looking for Indian and Singaporean English will need to wait longer as it expands its reach into next year.
Wrap Up
Apple Intelligence is bringing a lot of new features to users on the iOS iPadOS and macOS platforms. There are still a lot of questions that everybody has in regard to security and privacy, but Apple has reiterated that privacy and security were it’s top most considerations when bringing Apple Intelligence together at the time of Apple Intelligence announcement.
There was a lot of controversy in regard to the availability and which devices were supported, and Apple has stated that this is not a marketing gimmick and that there were some hardware limitations on how far certain devices would support Apple Intelligence. As such, Apple decided to only do iPhone 16 models, certain iPhone 15 Pro models, as well as iPad and laptops that have M1 or higher chips.
At the end of the day, you get to choose if you want to use Apple Intelligence. Are you ready for the next-generation of AI-powered experience on your Apple devices? I am.
