Apple's push for generative AI, under the none-too-subtle name of Apple Intelligence, took another step forward with the developer beta software releases for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2. The drop includes even more Apple Intelligence features like GenMoji, Image Playground and the ChatGPT integration for Siri.
This release follows the latest iOS 18.1 public beta, which includes a handful of Apple Intelligence features like AI-suggested writing tools that pop up in documents or emails, photo tools including Clean Up to remove unwanted parts of an image and a number of Siri changes. The most conspicuous changes to Siri include a new voice designed to sound more natural, the ability to understand the context of conversations, a new glowing border around the display when Siri is running, and a new double-tap gesture on the bottom of the screen to type to Siri.
Those early Apple Intelligence tools are expected to drop next week with the public release for iOS 18.1. Rumors from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman point to Apple releasing some Apple Intelligence features on Oct. 28. The iOS 18.2 developer beta has even more features includes visual intelligence for the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro which uses the new Camera Control button to trigger a search of whatever the camera is pointed at -- similar to Google Lens.
Apple Intelligence won't be limited to just the iPhone and will be added across Apple's multiple OSes. Hype for Apple's AI has been on the rise ever since Apple Intelligence stole the show during the WWDC keynote back in June and took a step forward at the It's Glowtime event earlier in September that introduced the iPhone 16 lineup.
During the Glowtime keynote presentation, Craig Federighi, Apple's head of software engineering, said that Apple Intelligence is "at the heart of the iPhone 16 experience."
Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Compelling Upgrade, and My Favorite Feature in Years
Apple Intelligence is really a beta within a beta. The public beta has an option in the Settings app that lets you opt into Apple Intelligence features for testing, a process that Apple says could take hours to get approved for. It's still unknown whether Apple's public release of the Apple Intelligence beta arriving next week will have a similar opt-in process.
While some of Apple's AI features sound genuinely useful, the limited rollout to only certain iPhones, iPads and Macs later this year (iPhone 15 Pro models or later, and Macs and iPads with M-series chips) means it won't be used by everyone. We will, hopefully, begin to understand what those features will actually be capable of doing.
What will Apple Intelligence do?
Apple Intelligence is billed as "AI for the rest of us." The idea is that Apple Intelligence is built into your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help you write, get things done and express yourself. It draws on personal context across your Apple devices to make recommendations, and generates results more specific to you. Apple touts the AI feature as setting a brand-new standard for privacy in AI.
CNET's Lisa Eadicicco, in her story about Apple Intelligence, says that understanding personal context when delivering answers and carrying out tasks is a big part of Apple's approach with Apple Intelligence.
"Apple seems to be using this tactic as a way to distinguish its own AI efforts from those previously announced by competitors," wrote Eadicicco. "As an example, the company explained how Apple Intelligence can understand multiple factors like traffic, your schedule and your contacts to help you understand whether you can make it to an event on time."
Which devices will Apple Intelligence work on?
At the moment, Apple Intelligence is available in beta on the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, and any iPad or Mac with an M1 chip and later, with Siri and device language set to US English.
This fall Apple Intelligence will get its public release as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia.
Here's a list of current Apple devices that will be able to run Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPad Mini with A17 Pro chip
- iPad Air with an M1 or M2 chip
- iPad Pro with an M1, M2 or M4 chip
- MacBook Air with an M1, M2 or M3 chip
- MacBook Pro with an M1, M2 or M3 chip
- Mac Mini with an M1 or M2 chip
- Mac Studio with an M1 or M2 chip
- iMac with an M1 or M3 chip
- Mac Pro with an M2 chip
When is Apple Intelligence available to use?
The initial set of features that make use of Apple Intelligence features will be available in October as part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1. Gurman posits that Apple Intelligence will drop on October 28. Additional features rolled out with the developer betas for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2.
Currently, you can use Apple Intelligence on a compatible iPhone, iPad or Mac that's running the public beta for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, respectively, with Siri and device language set to US English.
The developer beta for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS 15.2 expands Apple Intelligence beyond the US to Apple intelligence will also be coming to localized English for five additional regions in December: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.
Where will Apple Intelligence be available?
At launch, it will be available in the US. Specifically Apple says that Apple Intelligence will work on compatible iPhone, iPad or Mac models with Siri and device language set to US English. Support for additional languages will come in 2025.
No. Apple Intelligence runs on-device (iPhone, iPad or Mac) and on Apple silicon-powered servers in the cloud which Apple calls Private Cloud Compute. It depends on your prompts and questions as to whether Apple Intelligence is processed on-device or in the cloud. Apple Intelligence is not ChatGPT nor does it run on OpenAI's well-known service.
However, Apple Intelligence does support supplemental third-party AI services, with ChatGPT being the first one announced. ChatGPT access will be integrated into Siri and writing tools on iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and MacOS Sequoia 15.2 allowing Apple device owners to access it without jumping between tools.
What tools will Apple Intelligence have?
Here is the Apple Intelligence Writing Tools pop-up menu. To access it you highlight text and tap the Writing Tools button.
James Martin/CNETApple Intelligence capabilities fall into one of three categories: writing, images and Siri. Writing tools will be available wherever you write. Apple Intelligence will be able to proofread your text, rewrite different versions adjusting the tone and wording, and summarize selected text with a tap.
Image tools will be able to create original images based on prompts in the new Image Playground app. You'll be able to turn a rough sketch into a related image that complements your notes with the Apple Intelligence-powered Image Wand. You will also be able to generate custom and unique Genmoji with Apple Intelligence straight from your keyboard. Apple says that you'll even have the option to pick someone from your Photos library and create a Genmoji that looks like them.
In the Photos app, you'll be able to make a custom memory movie based on the description you provide.
Apple Intelligence will give Siri a giant overhaul. Siri will have a new design, richer language understanding and the ability to type to Siri instead of dictating. Siri's voice and response will sound more natural and conversational. Apple Intelligence gives Siri an awareness of personal context and the ability to take action in and across multiple apps, and product knowledge about your devices' features and settings. Apple says that Siri will be able to assist you like never before.
How much does Apple Intelligence cost?
Apple isn't charging for Apple Intelligence and hasn't announced any plans to do so.