Apple recently announced a delay in the launch of its artificial intelligence features, which are now expected to debut after the iPhone 16 and iOS 18 announcements in September. The decision comes as Apple aims to ensure the stability of its Apple Intelligence tools by addressing any existing issues before their release.
According to reports, Apple's AI features are anticipated to be integrated into iPhones running iOS 18.1 by October, a few weeks post the iPhone 16 launch. Prior to this, Apple plans to provide developers with early builds of iOS 18.1 and iPad OS 18.1 to test out features and address any bugs.
As Apple works on refining its AI capabilities, it faces competition from other tech giants like Samsung and Google. Samsung has already introduced its Galaxy AI suite to millions of current and older Galaxy phones, with plans to enhance its camera-based AI tools further. Google is also set to enhance its Gemini features for the upcoming Pixel 9, incorporating advanced picture analysis and interactive capabilities.
Apple's delay in launching its AI features underscores the importance of a successful introduction to generative AI for iPhone users. The company aims to avoid any missteps akin to the Apple Maps launch in the past. Additionally, the cost of these AI tools for consumers remains a point of interest, with Apple indicating that its tools will be provided free of charge.
iOS 18.1 Beta Unveils Apple's AI Plans
The iOS 18.1 beta, now available to early testers, offers insights into Apple's deployment of AI tools on iPhones. Notably, Safari will leverage Apple Intelligence to provide summaries of web articles via Reader mode. These summaries can be requested by users and will be displayed differently on iPhones and iPads.
Furthermore, Siri has undergone enhancements, now capable of understanding contextual questions and providing answers related to Apple products. By training Siri on a model that includes extensive Apple support documentation, the chatbot aims to offer improved device navigation and issue resolution for users.
As Apple continues to refine its AI offerings, the tech industry eagerly anticipates the impact of these advancements on user experience and competition within the market.
