In terms of technology, AI is the buzzword of 2024. Almost every new hardware release or software update has featured it in some manner. However, as is common with emerging technology, Apple has been sluggish to implement Apple Intelligence. The most recent iPhone and iPad devices, for example, do not include AI.
However, this won’t last long. At WWDC 2024, Apple formally announced its entry into the field of AI, albeit under its own name. But what does Apple Intelligence involve, and will your existing gadgets be compatible?
What is Apple Intelligence?
The term “Apple Intelligence” refers to Apple’s suite of AI features, which will be available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS (but not watchOS).
Dozens of various capabilities will be accessible, loosely organized into categories such as writing tools, graphic creation, and photos/videos.
Examples include producing graphics and ‘Genmojis’ (personalised emojis depending on specific prompts), eliminating background items from photographs, and rewriting an email as a poem (or anything more useful).
There is also an updated version of Siri that directly combines the ChatGPT chatbot and virtual assistant, owing to a collaboration with creators OpenAI.
When will Apple Intelligence be available?
Apple was initially ambiguous regarding the release date of Apple Intelligence, claiming that it would be available “this fall” but in limited quantities.
Now that the iPhone 16 event has taken place, we have more specific details and can confirm that it will be available in October.
This will be part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, and it implies that the iPhone 16 series, which will be available on September 20th, will not include Apple Intelligence.
According to Apple, “more features [will be] launching in the coming months.”
Apple also says it will first launch in US English and then “quickly expand to include localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December,”
Additional support — such as Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish — will be coming in 2025.
Will my iPhone or iPad get Apple Intelligence?
Apple has rigorous hardware requirements, so only newer devices will have access to Apple Intelligence.
Existing iPhones will only be compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Of course, some of the future iPhone 16 models are certain to include the capabilities.
When it comes to iPads, Apple Intelligence will be accessible on all iPad Air and iPad Pro models powered by the M1, M2, or M4 CPUs, including the 2024 devices. That means the most recent standard iPad and iPad mini will not receive it.
The same is true for the Mac, with any Mac mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro that runs on Apple silicon (rather than the previously utilized Intel CPUs) being compatible.
Even if your device isn’t compatible, many more will receive regular iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 updates.
