Apple Intelligence goes live with the iOS 18.1 update

Apple confirmed the general availability of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 on Monday. The point update is particularly notable for the inclusion of the first set of Apple Intelligence features that the company announced back in June at WWDC.

However, only select Apple devices are equipped to run the new generative AI offering. This includes iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, iPads with A17 Pro chip (including the new iPad Mini) or M1 and later, or a Mac with M1 or later.

After downloading the update, Apple will ask you if you want to use the feature. Once you've done this, you'll be placed on a waiting list, a process that shouldn't take more than a few hours. This is an unusual move for the company due to the remote server requirement for the LLM-based offering. Essentially, Apple wants to prepare its backend for some big computing needs.

However, not every function requires external processing. One aspect that makes the system unique compared to offerings like ChatGPT is its small model approach. The new Apple Intelligence features are based on a selective data set focused on specific features, rather than the massive black box approach of other vendors.

Apple Intelligence's initial features include built-in writing tools, image cleanup, article summaries, and a typing prompt for the redesigned Siri experience. iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 – currently available as developer betas – will bring another round of features.

These updates bring an additional list of Apple Intelligence updates including Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, Image Wand, and ChatGPT integration. Apple has not yet announced a GA timeframe for these updates.