What you should know about Apple Intelligence, top features

Apple's artificial intelligence-focused update is finally rolling out to devices.

The first features in Apple Intelligence rolled out Monday after months of anticipation for the latest operating system update for supported iPhone, iPad and Mac devices.

Apple Intelligence, first unveiled at the tech company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, is part of the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates and also introduces Apple-developed generative models and other enhancements to existing Apple software as well as a few new tools.

Here's what you should know about Apple Intelligence:

How to get Apple Intelligence

To access the new AI feature, users must first activate it after updating to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

After installing the new operating system update, users will need to navigate to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. After waiting just a few minutes, there is an option to enable Apple Intelligence as well as additional options and settings for the feature.

Top Apple Intelligence features

Key features introduced in this first Apple Intelligence update include:

◾ Writing Tools: These new tools, built into apps and accessible by tapping text in the same menu as copy and paste, allow users to rewrite their text or even create a summary for selected text. Writing Tools also has a proofreading option that can suggest changes to the text along with explanations of the proposed changes.

◾ Priorities and summaries: Priority messages that are considered urgent or timely appear at the top of email inboxes, and there are email summary and smart reply options. Notifications also have summaries that show important details on the lock screen.

◾ Siri redesign: Not only is Siri getting a new look on devices, but the revamp will hopefully mean the virtual assistant will be better able to respond to requests and questions. Siri should now be able to listen in more easily while a user is speaking, and even maintain context if the user mixes up their words or stumbles by rephrasing their request. Users can now also type in Siri on their devices.

◾ Photos: In addition to the redesign of the Photos app introduced in the previous OS update, Photos now has a cleanup tool that allows users to remove unwanted objects in images and search by description. Users can also create movies using descriptions in Memories.

◾ Other updates: A new focus option, Reduce Interruptions, is available, and the Notes app now offers audio and phone call transcriptions

Compatible devices

For iPhone, Apple Intelligence is compatible with these devices:

◾ iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

◾ iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

◾ iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The update is compatible with these iPad devices:

◾ iPad Pro (M1 and above)

◾ iPad Air (M1 and above)

Apple Intelligence is compatible with these Mac devices:

◾ MacBook Air (M1 and later) and MacBook Pro (M1 and later)

◾ iMac (M1 and above)

◾ Mac mini (M1 and above)

◾ Mac Studio (M1 Max and above)

◾ Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)

Apple Intelligence features are coming

The rollout's features are just the first in a series of features Apple is planning for Apple Intelligence. Two previously announced features missing from this initial release are Genmoji, which allows users to create custom emojis, and Image Playground, which allows Apple Intelligence to generate cartoon-like images and illustrations from text descriptions.

These two features are now expected to be released in December, likely in the iOS 18.2 update.

Another feature expected to arrive later this year is the ChatGPT integration for Siri, which was also mentioned in Apple Intelligence's announcement at WWDC.

According to an announcement from Apple, priority notifications and additional updates to Siri and Writing Tools are also listed as features for Apple Intelligence.

How to get Apple Intelligence

Top Apple Intelligence features

Compatible devices

Apple Intelligence features are coming

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