Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 won’t be getting Apple Intelligence’s new AI features right out of the box. Instead, these advanced features will roll out a few weeks later with the iOS 18.1 update. Developers will get early access to test the AI tools starting this week, offering a sneak peek ahead of the public release.
No AI for iPhone 16 at launch: What’s next for Apple’s intelligence?
Highlights
- Apple’s new AI features, Apple Intelligence, will be delayed for the iPhone 16 and will arrive with a later update.
- Developers will get early access to Apple Intelligence with the iOS 18.1 beta, while consumers will have to wait.
- The iPhone 16 will launch with its new hardware but won’t benefit from AI improvements until a future update.
In a surprise move, Apple has announced that its highly anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, will not be available when the iPhone 16 goes on sale. The tech giant’s latest offering, which is set to launch in September, will arrive without the new AI capabilities. Instead, the features are expected to debut a few weeks later as part of a later software update.
Apple Intelligence: why the delay?
According to Bloomberg News, Apple plans to roll out Apple Intelligence with an update expected by October. This means that while the iPhone 16 will debut with its sleek design and improved hardware, the AI improvements will come later. The delay is a strategic decision to ensure that the features are fully polished and bug-free before reaching the general public.
The first updates to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, which are expected to roll out in September, will include a host of new features. However, Apple’s AI will be rolled out in a follow-up update, iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which are expected to be available to developers soon.
Apple Intelligence: Developers have a head start
For tech enthusiasts and developers eager to get a sneak peek at what’s to come, Apple will offer early access to Apple Intelligence features starting this week. These features will be available through the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. This approach is unusual for Apple, which typically holds back previews of follow-up updates until the major software release is close.
What to expect from Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence promises to bring a host of exciting features designed to improve the user experience. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:
- Smart Notifications: Prioritize important alerts and filter out noise.
- Summary content: Get quick summaries of web pages and voice notes.
- Improved writing tools: Improve your writing with AI-powered suggestions.
- Siri redesigned: A more intuitive version of Siri with improved contextual understanding.
- OpenAI ChatGPT Integration: Chat with the AI language model right from your iPhone.
While Apple Intelligence won’t include all of its features at launch, users can expect updates throughout late 2024 and early 2025. Notably, some of the bigger changes, such as using on-device data for query responses, will roll out gradually.
Impact on iPhone 16 sales
The iPhone 16, which is expected to be a commercial success this year, will be released with a focus on hardware improvements. In addition to AI features, the new model will include a redesigned camera button and a faster processor. Apple is betting that these improvements, combined with the promise of upcoming AI features, will boost sales.
While the iPhone 16 might initially lack some of the new AI features, Apple’s strategy is to use these features as a key selling point for its latest models. By rolling out Apple Intelligence in stages, Apple aims to ensure that the technology is well-tested and fully functional by the time it reaches the general public.
For those eager to experience Apple Intelligence, the wait will be relatively short. In the meantime, developers and tech enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore these new features before their public release.
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