Apple Intelligence Set to Launch with iOS 18.1: Here Are the First Features

Apple has revealed more details about its new Apple Intelligence feature set, which is expected to launch with iOS 18.1. Originally introduced during WWDC 2024 in June, these AI-driven features are designed to enhance user experience on Apple devices through smarter, on-device AI tools. While Apple Intelligence won’t be available with the initial iOS 18 release on September 16, users can look forward to its rollout next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.

Limited Apple Intelligence Features at Launch

Although the full range of Apple Intelligence capabilities won’t be available at launch, users will still gain access to several impressive features in the first batch. Some of the most anticipated tools, including Image Playground, Image Wand, and Genmoji, will only arrive later this year. Features like ChatGPT integration and a more powerful Siri are also expected to be part of future updates.

Apple Intelligence Features Rolling Out with iOS 18.1

When Apple Intelligence becomes available with iOS 18.1, users can try out a selection of AI-powered tools right away. Some of the notable features include:

AI Writing Tools: Apple Intelligence will enhance writing across apps such as Mail, Messages, and Notes. These tools provide options for proofreading, rewriting, text generation, and even summarizing long texts. Users can ask AI to refine or extend text based on specific prompts.
Movie Creation from Memories: Apple Intelligence will let users create movies from their Memories in the Photos app by using text prompts.
Clean Up Tool: This feature allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from photos with AI assistance. Whether it’s an obstructed view of a landmark or an out-of-place object, users can easily clear it from the image.
Native Call Recording: Users will now have access to a built-in call recording tool, allowing them to record calls natively without relying on third-party apps.
Smarter Siri: A more natural-sounding Siri will also make its debut, featuring a fresh look with a glowing light around the edges of the phone and improved integration across apps.

Features Coming in Future Updates

Many exciting Apple Intelligence features are set to arrive later this year with future updates to iOS 18. These include:

Image Playground: This tool allows users to create images using text prompts, making it easy to generate custom artwork or even emojis.
Image Wand: A more creative feature, Image Wand turns simple sketches into detailed images, offering a fun way to visualize ideas.
Genmoji: This tool lets users generate custom emojis based on their inputs, adding a new level of personalization to iPhone interactions.
ChatGPT Integration: One of the most anticipated features, ChatGPT will be integrated with Siri, offering a more advanced conversational experience. Siri will be able to answer complex queries, access information from the web, and provide in-depth responses for a range of tasks.
Enhanced Siri: With AI-powered conversational capabilities, Siri will handle more complex tasks across different apps, including understanding natural language and executing detailed commands.
Visual Intelligence: This feature works similarly to Google Lens, allowing users to scan objects, places, or text with their camera for more information. For example, users can take a picture of a math problem and get a solution.

Device Compatibility

Apple Intelligence will be available on a limited range of devices. It will initially be supported on the iPhone 16 series, including iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The AI features will also be available on older devices equipped with the A17 Pro chip, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. In addition, iPads and Macs powered by M1 chips or later will receive the update.

Language Availability and Future Expansions

Apple Intelligence will first be available in US English, with localized versions for regions including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK coming in December. The company also plans to support more languages in 2025, with Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish on the list for next year.

Apple’s ambitious leap into AI with Apple Intelligence is poised to transform how users interact with their devices. While only a portion of the features will be available at launch, the planned updates promise even greater functionality. From smarter Siri interactions to creative tools like Genmoji and Image Playground, Apple Intelligence is set to redefine the AI experience on Apple devices.