So you’re wondering when Apple Intelligence is coming out? I’ve got good news and bad news.

Good news: Apple Intelligence is out now on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can try out notification summaries, AI-powered writing tools, and an updated Siri that’s more forgiving of disfluencies, so interactions are smoother and more natural.

Bad news: Some of the features we were most looking forward to, like Genmoji and Image Playground, aren’t available yet. But the good news is they will be coming soon, so stay tuned!

Apple Intelligence Release Date and Compatibility

As of now, you can use Apple Intelligence if you have a compatible device. For iPhone users, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max or later to use the features of Apple Intelligence. This ensures you have the latest hardware to support the advanced features Apple has baked into the ecosystem.

For iPad users, you’ll need an iPad with an A17 Pro or M1 chip (or later). If you have an older model, you’ll need to upgrade it to use all the new features. Mac users will need an M1 Mac (or later) to use the suite, which is Apple’s way of saying that their software will run best on their latest hardware.

Also, make sure your device is running iOS 18.1 (or iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 for iPads and Macs, respectively). Updating your OS is key to getting the latest features and security updates.

Apple Intelligence Features

The new Apple Intelligence suite has many features to improve your experience and productivity.

Clean Up Tool: Apple’s answer to Google Magic Eraser lets you easily remove unwanted objects from your photos. This is perfect for those who want to create distraction-free photos to share on social media. I personally love this feature, especially when I want to post a photo without the background clutter.

Writing Tools: Write different versions of the text to match the tone of your message. This is perfect for professionals who need to adjust their tone based on the audience, whether it’s a formal email to a client or a text to a friend. I struggle to find the right words, so having this tool would be a lifesaver.

Siri Enhancements: Siri can now handle disfluency, so it’s more effective in understanding natural speech patterns. This means you can speak more naturally without having to be too precise, and interactions with Siri will feel more conversational. I’ve always loved how Siri has evolved, and this is even better.

Expanded Product Knowledge: You can ask Siri questions like “How do I share my Wi-Fi password?” and get answers. This makes Siri an even more useful personal assistant and gets you quick answers to everyday questions. I can see myself using this feature often, especially when I have guests over and need to share my Wi-Fi details quickly.

Transcripts for Voice Memos and Call Recording: Get written transcripts of your voice memos and recorded calls. This is perfect for students and professionals who need to review discussions or lectures without having to listen to long recordings. As someone who takes voice notes during meetings, I would save a lot of time if I had transcripts.

Notification Summaries: Get summaries of notifications, emails, texts, and more so you can stay organized. This helps you prioritize your responses and manage your time better in a world that is bombarded with information. I get overwhelmed with notifications, so this would be a lifesaver.

Natural Language Search in Photos: Search your photo library using natural language. This means you can type in phrases like “beach vacation” or “birthday party,” and the Photos app will intelligently show you the relevant photos so you can easily find your favorite memories. I love taking photos, and this would make it so much easier to relive those moments without having to scroll forever.

Memories Feature: Use the Photos app’s “Memories” feature to create a movie by typing a description (e.g., “Last summer in our garden” or “Everything we ate in Italy”). This adds a creative touch to your photo library and lets you relive experiences in a fun way. I can see myself using this to create a highlight reel of my travels, which would be a great way to share with friends and family.

Priority Messages: This feature shows you the most important emails so you don’t miss out on important messages. It helps you declutter your inbox so you can focus on what matters. I find myself scrolling through so many emails, so having a feature that highlights the most important ones would be a game changer.

Smart Reply: Offers suggestions for quick responses to emails so you can stay in touch. This saves you time and effort, especially when you have multiple conversations going on. I love anything that can help me respond faster so I can communicate better without feeling overwhelmed.

Join the Waitlist

Note: You will need to join a waitlist to use Apple Intelligence. Waitlist times can be 5 minutes to several hours, so be prepared to wait a bit before you can start using the new features! The waitlist is to help Apple manage the rollout of their new tech so that you have a smooth experience when you get in.

Apple Intelligence Features Not Yet Available

As mentioned earlier, some Apple Intelligence features are still unavailable, but they are coming soon, and I’m excited! The following Apple Intelligence features will be available in December.

Genmoji: This feature will allow you to create your own emojis! Add a personal touch to your messaging and social media interactions. Imagine being able to create custom emojis that represent you and your moods or even inside jokes with friends! This could change the way we communicate visually and make conversations more fun. I can already see myself using Genmoji to create emojis for my hobbies or even my pets and add a unique flair to my messages.

Image Playground: This will allow users to create their own images. As a graphic designer, I’m excited to play around with this feature to create unique visuals. Whether for social media posts, personal projects, or just for fun, being able to create images on the fly will unleash a new level of creativity. I can see this being super useful for content creators who need fresh visuals fast.

Image Wand: This feature will turn rough sketches into more polished images. It is a game changer for artists and designers who want to refine their ideas without starting from scratch. I often sketch out concepts, and having a tool that can elevate those sketches would be super useful. The Image Wand will bridge the gap between initial ideas and final design, so creators can visualize their concepts and bring them to life.

ChatGPT Integration with Siri: This integration will make Siri so much better. It will make Siri more conversational and context-aware. I’m really looking forward to Siri being able to respond more nuanced and have deeper conversations. It will make Siri feel more like a personal assistant rather than just a voice-activated tool. Imagine asking Siri complex questions or having it help you brainstorm ideas, and it will be a more useful tool in your daily life.

Visual Intelligence: This feature is like Google Lens. You’ll be able to use the new Camera Control feature for visual recognition and interaction. Identify objects, translate text, or get info about landmarks through the camera. This is a great addition to everyday life. I can point my camera at a menu in a foreign language and have it translate instantly and dining out while traveling will be so much easier and fun.

Coming Soon

Apple Intelligence is available now in the US but will roll out to Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in December. More users will soon get these features, and I’m excited to see how they will be received in different cultures and how they will adapt to local needs and preferences.

The Larger Picture

These features are not just about individual user experiences; they’re part of Apple’s bigger plan to integrate AI into everyday life. By making these tools available, Apple is positioning itself as a leader in AI and creating a more intuitive and responsive ecosystem. This will lead to a future where our devices know us better and can anticipate our needs, and technology will feel like an extension of ourselves.

Wrap

In summary, Apple Intelligence has already introduced many great features, but the upcoming ones will take it to the next level. The hype around Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration with Siri shows Apple’s commitment to innovation and user engagement.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m looking forward to seeing how these features will change my daily life with my devices. The future is bright for Apple users, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. With each new feature, Apple is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and making our devices not just tools but extensions of ourselves that help us create, be more productive, and communicate better.