# A Week with Apple Intelligence: Main Insights
Apple’s entry into the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has been highly awaited, and with the launch of iOS 18.1, the technology leader has finally revealed its initial set of “Apple Intelligence” features. After spending a week delving into these tools, it’s evident that although the potential is significant, the introduction has been somewhat hurried and inconsistent. Here’s an overview of what Apple Intelligence brings to the table, its strengths, and areas for improvement.
## What Is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s dedicated suite of AI-integrated tools, launched in iOS 18.1, with plans for further expansion in subsequent updates. These tools aim to improve user experience across a variety of applications and functions, ranging from writing aid to photo enhancement, and even crafting personalized emojis. While Apple has historically been cautious in embracing emerging technologies, the company is now venturing into the AI sector with a focus on user needs.
Yet, the staggered implementation of these features—some still labeled as beta—has resulted in mixed feelings. Some users are thrilled by the potential, whereas others believe that Apple has fallen behind in the AI race, particularly in comparison to rivals like Microsoft and Google.
## Key Features in iOS 18.1
The public version of iOS 18.1 introduces a host of AI-enabled features, many of which aim to simplify daily tasks. Here’s a concise summary:
### 1. **Writing Tools**
– **Proofreading**: Automatically fixes grammar and spelling mistakes.
– **Rewriting**: Provides rewriting suggestions in various styles—friendly, professional, or concise.
– **Summaries**: Capable of summarizing text in different layouts, like prose, bullet points, or tables.
### 2. **Text Summaries**
– Summarizes content from Mail messages or Safari pages, facilitating the understanding of lengthy emails or articles.
### 3. **Photos**
– **Clean Up**: Enables users to erase objects or individuals from images, akin to functionalities available in Photoshop.
– **Generate Memories**: Crafts video slideshows from pictures using natural language prompts.
– **Natural Language Search**: Enables searches for specific photos using everyday language, such as “photos from last summer.”
### 4. **Notifications**
– **Reduce Interruptions**: Filters notifications to only display those considered critical, minimizing distractions.
– **Type to Siri**: Permits users to input commands to Siri via typing rather than speaking.
– **More Conversational Siri**: Siri now replies in a more authentic, conversational manner.
## Features Coming in iOS 18.2
While iOS 18.1 lays a strong groundwork, iOS 18.2, which is currently in developer beta, is set to introduce even more sophisticated tools:
### 1. **Image Playground**
– A prompt-driven image creation app, similar to DALL-E or MidJourney, but with fewer stylistic choices and more safeguards against inappropriate content.
### 2. **Genmoji**
– Creates custom emojis based on text prompts, adding a playful, personalized element to messaging.
### 3. **Image Wand**
– A streamlined version of Image Playground, embedded within the Notes app for quick image generation.
### 4. **ChatGPT Integration in Siri**
– Siri will be able to direct users to ChatGPT for more complex inquiries, bridging Apple’s AI with OpenAI’s language model.
### 5. **Visual Intelligence**
– For iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro users, a new Camera Control button will be introduced, capable of recognizing objects in the camera’s frame, providing features such as translation, location information, and more.
## A Staggered Rollout
Apple’s decision to launch Apple Intelligence incrementally marks a shift from its typical strategy of rolling out significant features all at once. While certain features are available now, others remain in development or beta, with some expected to arrive later in 2024. This gradual approach has caused some dissatisfaction among users, particularly those who anticipated a more refined experience right from the start.
The postponement of important features, paired with the fact that many existing tools are still in beta, indicates that Apple may have hurried to align with market demands. This is especially noticeable with the Writing Tools, which lacks complete functionality in third-party apps and is absent key elements that will not be included until iOS 18.2.
## The Challenges of Rushing AI
One of the primary critiques of Apple Intelligence thus far is that it seems underdeveloped in certain aspects. For example, the Writing Tools feature displays inconsistency across apps, with native apps allowing for more detailed editing controls than third-party applications. Furthermore, some functionalities, such as modifying Writing Tools suggestions through text prompts, are not present in iOS 18.
