Apple’s push for generative AI, under the not-so-subtle moniker of Apple Intelligence, took another step forward with the release of developer beta software for iOS 18.2iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2. The drop includes even more Apple Intelligence features like GenMoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration for Siri.
This release follows the latest public beta version of iOS 18.1, which includes a number of Apple Intelligence features such as AI-suggested writing tools that appear in documents or emails, photo tools including Clean Up to remove unwanted parts of an image and a number of changes of Siri. The most notable changes to Siri include a new voice designed to sound more natural, the ability to understand the context of conversations, a new glowing border around the screen when Siri is at work, and a new double-tap gesture on bottom of the screen. to write in Syria.
These early Apple Intelligence tools are expected to drop next week with the public release for iOS 18.1. Rumors from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicate that Apple will release some Apple Intelligence features on October 28. The iOS 18.2 developer beta has even more features that include visual intelligence for iPhone 16 and the 16 Pro which uses the new Camera Control button to trigger a search of whatever the camera is pointed at — similar to Google Lens.
Apple Intelligence will not be limited to the iPhone and will be added to multiple Apple OSes. Hype for Apple’s AI has been building since Apple Intelligence stole the show during the WWDC keynote in June and took a step forward at the It’s Glowtime event earlier in September that introduced the iPhone 16 lineup.
During Glowtime’s keynote, Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software engineering, said Apple Intelligence is “at the heart of the iPhone 16 experience.”
Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro review: Compelling upgrade and my favorite feature in years
Apple Intelligence is really a beta within a beta. The public beta has an option in the Settings app that lets you select Apple Intelligence features for testing, a process that Apple says can take hours to approve. It’s not yet known whether the public release of the Apple Intelligence beta arriving next week will have a similar opt-in process.
While some of Apple’s AI features sound really useful, the limited rollout to just a few iPhones, iPads and Macs later this year (iPhone 15 Pro models or later, and Macs and iPads with M-series chips) means that it will not be used by everyone. We will hopefully begin to understand what those features will be able to do.
What will Apple Intelligence do?
Apple Intelligence is billed as “AI for others.” The idea is that Apple Intelligence is built into your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help you write, get things done, and express yourself. It relies on the personal context on your Apple devices to make recommendations and generate results more specific to you. Apple touts the AI feature as setting a whole new standard for privacy in AI.
CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco, in her story about Apple Intelligence, says that understanding personal context when you give answers and perform tasks is a big part of Apple’s approach with Apple Intelligence.
“Apple appears to be using this tactic as a way to differentiate its own AI efforts from those previously announced by competitors,” Eadicicco wrote. “As an example, the company explained how Apple Intelligence can understand multiple factors like traffic, your schedule and your contacts to help you figure out if you can get to an event on time.”
What devices will Apple Intelligence work on?
Apple Intelligence is currently available in beta on the iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max series, and any iPad or Mac with an M1 chip and later, with Siri and the device language set to US English.
This fall Apple Intelligence will receive its release as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia.
Here is a list of current Apple devices that will be able to run Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPad Mini with A17 Pro chip
- iPad Air with an M1 or M2 chip
- iPad Pro with an M1, M2 or M4 chip
- MacBook Air with an M1, M2 or M3 chip
- MacBook Pro with an M1, M2 or M3 chip
- Mac Mini with an M1 or M2 chip
- Mac Studio with an M1 or M2 chip
- iMac with an M1 or M3 chip
- Mac Pro with an M2 chip
When is Apple Intelligence available for use?
The initial set of features that use Apple Intelligence features will be available in October as part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1. Gurman predicts that Apple Intelligence will drop on October 28. Additional features appeared with the developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and MacOS Sequoia 15.2.
Currently, you can use Apple Intelligence on a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the public beta for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, respectively, with Siri and the device language set to US English.
The developer beta for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS 15.2 expands Apple Intelligence beyond the US to Apple Intelligence will also come in localized English for five more regions in December: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.
Where will Apple Intelligence be available?
Initially, it will be available in the US. Specifically, Apple says that Apple Intelligence will work on compatible iPhone, iPad or Mac models with Siri and the device language set to US English. Support for other languages will come in 2025.
Is Apple Intelligence using ChatGPT?
No. Apple Intelligence runs on devices (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) and on Apple’s silicon servers in the cloud, which Apple calls Private Cloud Compute. It depends on your requirements and questions whether Apple Intelligence is processed on the device or in the cloud. Apple Intelligence is not ChatGPT, nor does it run on the well-known OpenAI service.
However, Apple Intelligence supports additional third-party AI services, with ChatGPT being the first to be announced. Access to ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and writing tools in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2 allowing owners of Apple devices to use it without jumping between tools.
What tools will Apple Intelligence have?
Here is the Apple Intelligence Writing Tools pop-up menu. To access it, highlight the text and tap Writing tools the button.
Apple Intelligence skills fall into one of three categories: writing, images, and Siri. Writing tools will be available wherever you write. Apple Intelligence will be able to proofread your text, rewrite different versions by adjusting tone and wording, and summarize selected text with a tap.
Image tools will be able to create original images based on requests in the new Image Playground app. You’ll be able to turn a rough sketch into a linked image that complements your notes with Image Stick powered by Apple Intelligence. You’ll also be able to generate personalized and unique Genmoji with Apple Intelligence right from your keyboard. Apple says you’ll even have the option to choose someone from your photo library and create a Genmoji that looks just like them.
In the Photos app, you’ll be able to make a personalized memory movie based on the description you provide.
Apple Intelligence is about to give Siri a giant overhaul. Siri will have a new design, richer language understanding and the ability to type in Siri instead of dictating. Siri’s voice and response will sound more natural and conversational. Apple Intelligence gives Siri an awareness of personal context and the ability to take action within and across multiple apps, as well as product knowledge about your devices’ features and settings. Apple says Siri will be able to help you like never before.
How much does Apple Intelligence cost?
Apple is not charging for Apple Intelligence and has not announced any plans to do so.