Apple has launched the first developer beta for iOS 18.1, and it’s significant for one main reason: Apple Intelligence. This suite of artificial intelligence features, introduced at WWDC a few weeks ago, is finally available for iPhones, though only for specific models.
Currently, Apple Intelligence is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. To optimize your experience, ensure your device location is set to the United States and Siri's language is set to English (U.S.). There is a waitlist to enable Apple Intelligence, but reports suggest that it clears in just 10 to 20 minutes. I had my waitlist cleared on iPadOS 18 in about five minutes.
Note: Some Apple Intelligence features may require additional resources to function properly after you install the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta update. You might see a message stating, “Support for processing Apple Intelligence modes on the device is downloading.”
Once you've installed the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta, cleared the waitlist, and your device has finished downloading Apple Intelligence models, you’re ready to explore. Go to the dedicated Apple Intelligence & Siri page in the Settings app and enable the Apple Intelligence toggle at the top. You can then dive into the exciting array of features now available.
Writing Tools
One of the most eagerly awaited features is the systemwide Writing Tools. In the Notes app, when you select text or double-tap to access the contextual menu, options such as Proofread, Rewrite, and tone adjustments including Concise, Professional, or Friendly appear. You'll also have one-tap options for summarizing text, extracting key points, creating lists, or formatting content into a table. This process is nearly instantaneous, proving much faster than similar cloud-based tools like ChatGPT or Copilot on mobile.
Mail Summarization
Mail is set for numerous enhancements, with one standout feature being the Summarize capability. The pre-installed Mail app on your iPhone can summarize email contents with a single tap. There’s also a new AI-enhanced voice note feature that transcribes and summarizes your audio recordings. You can embed voice clips directly into Notes files, making summaries and transcriptions readily accessible.
A Smarter Siri
Siri now features a captivating light animation around the display when activated. The assistant effectively taps into Apple's resources and guides you through device-related inquiries. With improved contextual understanding, Siri processes commands with greater comprehension. Additionally, if you prefer not to use a long press on the power button to summon Siri, simply double-tap the navigation bar to bring up a keyboard for text commands.
An Intelligent Focus Mode
Apple offers various focus mode presets, like gaming and work, along with custom focus mode creation. iOS 18.1 introduces a new preset called Reduce Interruptions, which intelligently filters through notifications. This feature evaluates notification urgency and only alerts you to pressing matters. It can be easily scheduled from the control center, allowing customization of notification behavior.
Upcoming Apple Intelligence Features
While many Apple Intelligence capabilities are live, several remain under development. As AI tools can be prone to errors, some features will take additional time to roll out. Here are some of the major Apple Intelligence features still pending:
Siri Awareness and App Integration
Apple aims for Siri to be aware of on-screen content to better assist users with their queries. This functionality has not yet been launched.
ChatGPT Integration
Apple states that the new AI-enhanced Siri will handle most tasks, but if a deeper search is required, it will provide a prompt to defer the task to ChatGPT.
Priority Notifications
This feature will sort through numerous notifications, highlighting only the important ones. Apple plans to offer quick summaries of notifications for easier review of the information.
Mail Enhancements
Apple showcased several conveniences, such as Priority Messages in the Mail app, conversation summaries, and an AI-powered Smart Reply for quick contextual replies. These features will arrive in future updates.
Image Eraser
A feature enabling users to remove unwanted elements from images has yet to be included in the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta.
Image Playground
Image Playground allows users to harness AI to create custom images for use in apps like Notes and Messages. Developers will also have the option to incorporate this feature into their own applications.
Genmoji
Genmoji enables users to create personalized emojis based on text descriptions, which can then be shared as stickers within messages.
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