The first Apple Intelligence features are here, but what do they actually do?

Key Takeaways

• iOS 18.1 now includes the first Apple Intelligence features for supported iPhones.
• Enjoy AI-powered tools like Clean Up for Photos and Summaries in Safari and Mail.
• Siri receives minor upgrades, with major updates planned for future releases.

  When Apple unveiled the key features of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 24, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the platform’s new AI capabilities. However, the initial disappointment of iOS 18 launching without the AI suite has now been replaced with anticipation as iOS 18.1 introduces Apple Intelligence for supported iPhones, including all iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. While some Apple Intelligence features are still forthcoming and set to arrive in March of next year, there are plenty of features to explore in the current release. Here are some of the Apple Intelligence features available in iOS 18.1.

  Utilize Generative AI for Text Editing

• Make use of nine different writing tools to enhance your text, including proofreading, rewriting, and summarizing options.
• Easily access these tools in apps like Mail and Notes by selecting the text and tapping on the Writing Tools option.

  Clean Up Tool for Photos

• Remove unwanted objects and people from your photos with a simple tap using the Clean Up tool in the Photos app.
• Quickly edit your photos by selecting objects to remove or letting the tool automatically detect and remove them.

  Summarize Web Pages in Safari

• Use Safari’s Reader view to get a summary of web pages without reading the entire content.
• Tap on the Summarize button to get a condensed version of the page’s contents for easy browsing.

  Email and Notification Summaries

• Get summaries of email contents in the Mail app before opening them.
• See a summary of multiple notifications in a stack to manage them more efficiently.

  Smart Replies in Messages and Mail

• Receive suggestions for quick replies in Messages and Mail for simple queries.
• Save time by tapping on suggested replies to add them to your messages or emails.

  Natural Language Search in Photos

• Search for specific photos using natural language queries in the Photos app.
• Find images based on detailed descriptions like "me with a beard in 2020" or "mom wearing a green hat in the snow."

  Create Memory Movies

• Easily create personalized Memory Movies using descriptive text in the Photos app.
• Let Apple Intelligence generate a montage of photos and videos based on your input.

  Siri Enhancements

• Siri receives minor upgrades with improvements in conversational abilities and context understanding.
• Major updates for Siri, including ChatGPT integration and deep app control, are scheduled for future releases.

  Reduce Interruptions Focus

• Use the Reduce Interruptions Focus mode to block out non-essential notifications.
• Customize the Focus mode duration and settings to prioritize important messages.

  FAQ

• Check if your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence based on the model and available RAM.
• Access Apple Intelligence features outside the US by adjusting language settings.
• Request access to Apple Intelligence features through your iPhone settings and join the waitlist for activation.