Apple’s AI features, branded as Apple Intelligence, will not be included in the initial launch of its iPhone and iPad software updates, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, set for September.
Instead, these features will be introduced in a subsequent update by October, giving the company more time to address stability issues and ensure a smoother rollout, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The tech giant is taking an unusual step by making Apple Intelligence available to software developers for early testing this week through beta versions of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. This early release strategy is intended to gather feedback from developers to help iron out issues on a broader scale, a necessary move given the significant stakes involved in the successful deployment of these AI capabilities.
Despite this delay, Apple remains on track to complete the development of iOS 18.0 by the end of July, in preparation for the new iPhone launch in September. This schedule allows sufficient time to install the operating system on new devices before they leave the factory.
When Apple Intelligence eventually launches with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, it will introduce features such as key notification prioritization, webpage, and voice note summaries, writing enhancement tools, a revamped Siri, and integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, some advanced Siri functionalities, including on-device data use for query handling and contextual answers, will not be available immediately.
By limiting support for Apple Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming iPhone 16 line, Apple is positioning these features as key selling points for its new models. The iPhone 16, set to feature a new control button, a faster chip, and minimal design changes, will rely heavily on these software enhancements to drive sales.
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Apple’s strategic delay reflects its dedication to providing a high-quality user experience while navigating the competitive landscape of generative AI technology, which has rapidly transformed both business operations and consumer devices over the past year.
