What is Apple Intelligence? Devices Supported, How to Use, and When it is Available?

The Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2024 kicked off on June 10, 2024. The event began with a keynote delivered by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook. The keynote introduced next-generation platforms for iPhone, iPad, Watch Series, and Macs. Despite Apple announcing iOS 18, it was not the most important announcement of the evening. 

Apple had been straying behind in the AI race. But that is not the case anymore. The highlight of the WWDC 2024 event was the unveiling of Apple Intelligence, an AI technology designed to enhance the user experience across all Apple devices. 

Apple Intelligence is a “personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that’s incredibly useful and relevant.”

This is setting a new standard for AI integration within Apple products. Here is everything you need to know about this exciting new feature.

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Devices Supported by Apple Intelligence

Apple’s intelligence will be embedded into the latest operating systems, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This means users who have the latest model of iPhone, iPad, or Mac can enjoy all of its features to their full potential. 

Specifically, devices powered by Apple silicon will use the complete ability of Apple Intelligence due to their high-level processing skills. As of the latest announcement, Apple Intelligence is supported on these devices:

1. iPhone 16 (A18)
2. iPhone 16 Plus (A18)
3. iPhone 16 Pro Max (A18 Pro)
4. iPhone 16 Pro (A18 Pro)
5. iPhone 15 Pro Max (A17 Pro)
6. iPhone 15 Pro (A17 Pro)
7. iPad Pro (M1 and later)
8. iPad Air (M1 and later)
9. MacBook Air (M1 and later)
10. MacBook Pro (M1 and later)
11. iMac (M1 and later)
12. Mac mini (M1 and later)
13. Mac Studio (M1 Max and later)
14. Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)

Key Features and How To Use Them?

Here are the key features of the newly introduced Apple Intelligence:

1. Writing Tools 

Apple Intelligence comes equipped with several writing tools. 

• Rewrite: It assists users in improving their writing by suggesting different versions of their sentences, according to the different tones and for various audiences. Whether you are making a cover letter or creating a party invite, Rewrite offers the proper words for such events. This is like the Apple version of Grammarly.
• Proofread: Proofread is integrated into Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps. It checks if the grammar is correct, how words are chosen, and the way sentences are formed. Proofread offers suggestions for changes that users can look at or accept in a short time.
• Summarise: Users can choose text to make a summary. They can have this summary in different ways, including paragraphs, bullet points, tables, or lists. This helps users understand information quickly.

2. Mail Enhancements

• Priority Messages: Essential emails, such as urgent calls or trip information, are placed at the top of the inbox so users can quickly notice and respond to important messages.
• Smart Reply: This function offers fast replies and makes sure that everyone answers all the questions in an email, making the talking between people easier.
• Email Summary: With this, users can see shorter versions of the main points of emails without opening them fully.

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3. Notifications and Focus

• Priority Notifications: Very important messages are shown clearly, and quick summaries help people quickly look through many long notifications on the Lock Screen.
• Reduce Interruptions: The new Focus mode filter is great for keeping virtual distractions at bay. It only shows urgent notifications, so that users can fully focus on their work.

4. Audio Recording and Summarization

In notes and phone apps, users can record, transcribe, and summarize audio. This is very helpful when talking on calls that are recorded. After the call is finished a summary is generated for ease. 

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5. Image Playground:

Users have the ability to create pictures in three different styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. This feature is part of apps such as Messages and Notes. It helps users to improve their way of talking and showing themselves by using images.

• Genmoji Creation: Users can make their own emojis (Genmoji) by writing a description or using pictures of friends and family. These Genmojis can be used in messages or as stickers and reactions.

6. Photos and Videos

• Search and Clean Up: With Search Up, users can find certain moments in pictures or films by using natural language. The new Clean Up tool takes out unwanted background things without changing the main object.
• Memories: When you write about a photo or video, Apple Intelligence makes a story using the best pictures and videos. It forms a movie with parts and music ideas from Apple Music.

7. Upgraded Siri

Siri, the smart assistant, now provides more detailed and relevant answers according to the situation. It can also keep the context in mind for several requests. Users can switch between talking and typing without any problem.

Also, Siri can do actions according to what is on the screen, such as putting addresses from messages into contacts, and dealing with more complicated jobs by working together with ChatGPT when permitted. 

8. ChatGPT Integration

Apple is making ChatGPT an integral part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Siri can use the abilities of ChatGPT for more complicated questions. Apple’s systemwide Writing Tool that helps with writing now includes ChatGPT to create content and images.

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When Will Apple Intelligence Be Available?

Apple has announced that Apple Intelligence, a new AI-powered assistant, will be available in beta in October as a free software update. Initially, it will be compatible with the iPhone 16 lineup, iPhone 15 Pro models, and iPads and Macs equipped with M1 chips. The initial rollout will support U.S. English, with localized English versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.K.

What features are expected in the initial release?

The initial beta release in October 2024 will include updates to the Messages app (reply suggestions), a new section in the Mail app for high-priority messages, the Reduce Interruptions Focus mode, email and text summaries, writing tools (summarizing, proofreading, editing), a new Siri animation and interface, and short summaries in Safari’s Reader Mode.

Here’s what’s coming in the first drop, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

• Updates to the Messages app, including more extensive reply suggestions
• A new section of the Mail app that categorizes high-priority messages.
• The Reduce Interruptions Focus mode — similar to Do Not Disturb, but your phone will allow alerts from messages it deems urgent.
• Email and text summaries in notifications.
• Writing Tools, which will help with summarizing, proofreading, and editing bodies of text.
• A new Siri animation and interface that will make the perimeter of a device’s screen glow, along with a “Type to Siri” feature.
• Short summaries of web pages when using Reader Mode on Safari.

There might be more to come in November and December.

More colourful features could be coming later this fall.

• Genmoji are emojis that can be personalized using a photo and AI to create a mini avatar of a person.
• The Image Playground app will allow users to create AI-generated photos.
• OpenAI’s ChatGPT will also be integrated into eligible iPhones.

The Bottom Line

Now, Apple is not lagging behind in the AI race. The introduction of Apple Intelligence is a leap forward in personal AI, offering powerful new tools and capabilities across Apple’s ecosystem. With a strong emphasis on privacy and seamless integration, Apple Intelligence is set to transform how users interact with their iOS devices.

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