It has been revealed that Apple Intelligence, a much-anticipated feature, will not debut with the upcoming iPhone 16 family in September as previously speculated.
Instead, it will arrive as part of a software update in October. This update has been indirectly confirmed by Apple with the release of the first developer beta of iOS 18.1, which includes the initial Apple Intelligence features.
Currently, Apple is beta testing both iOS 18 and iOS 18.1. While iOS 18 is scheduled for release in September, iOS 18.1 will follow as the first major update, likely in October. This timeline aligns with the rollout of Apple Intelligence.
The Apple Intelligence suite is part of the new iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. To access these features, developers need to go to Settings and join a waitlist. At present, the wait time is just a few hours for developers, but it is expected to be significantly longer for the general public in October.
The Apple Intelligence suite introduces several innovative tools. Among these are writing tools for spell check, grammar check, and text summarization across various apps such as Messages, Notes, Mail, and Pages. Siri is also getting a facelift, featuring a new look with a glow around the edges of the screen and the ability to type commands. Other features include summaries for transcripts and other content, new categories and smart replies in Mail, as well as smart replies in Messages.
A standout feature of Apple Intelligence is the ability to record and transcribe phone calls. Users can tap a record button during a call, and all participants will be notified via an audible message. The recorded audio is then saved to the Notes app. After the call, users can listen to the recording, view a full transcript, and receive a summary of the transcript.
As the developer beta progresses, a public beta of iOS 18.1 is expected to be released in the coming weeks. This will allow a broader audience to experience and provide feedback on the new Apple Intelligence features ahead of the official launch.
While Apple Intelligence will miss the initial launch of the iPhone 16, it promises to be a significant update in October with the release of iOS 18.1, bringing a suite of advanced tools and features to enhance user experience.