Users Finally Get What They Wanted?

Apple Intelligence promises big things, but will this venture into artificial intelligence have real user impact or will it merely scratch the surface of technological innovation?

Apple officially entered the AI ​​arena on October 28 with Apple Intelligence, a new suite of features designed to make life easier on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Apple Intelligence is here! 🎉 Starting today, you can do more on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with powerful new features including system-wide Writing Tools, a more interactive Siri, intelligence in photos, and more. This is the beginning of an exciting new era.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) 28 October 2024

Apple has packed some exciting tools into this latest release: improved typing assistants, a revamped Siri that can carry out more natural conversations, and even photo editing magic that lets users remove objects with a single tap.

But despite Apple’s usual “it just works” appeal, early adopters face a few hiccups: a staggered rollout, a waiting list for access, and some unintentionally funny notification summaries.

Let’s take a look at what’s actually hidden and what it might mean for everyday users.

What is Apple Intelligence and how can it really help?

Apple Intelligence offers AI tools designed to make tasks like typing, managing notifications, and even photo editing easier for users. However, unlike other technology giants, Apple approaches this issue differently.

While Samsung, Google and others are integrating AI with far-reaching reach, Apple seems focused on providing a more customized experience.

Apple Intelligence includes features like Authoring Tools that are essentially about making messages, emails, and notes more polished. Need a summary of a long message thread or a quick fix before sending an email? You can now access these tools through applications.

The feature even provides explanations for suggested changes, which can be useful for anyone looking to improve their writing or fix simple errors on the go.

But unlike ChatGPT or other generative AI tools, Apple’s Authoring Tools isn’t here to compose entire paragraphs or brainstorm ideas with you; They are more like a friendly editor than a co-author.

New Siri on the block

Apple’s virtual assistant Siri is also getting a new look. Siri can now keep up with more natural speech, which means it’ll be more forgiving if you stumble or rephrase mid-sentence.

There’s even a Text to Siri option where you can type requests silently instead of speaking out loud, which can be useful in quiet environments.

But early reviewers say Siri still has a long way to go when it comes to handling complex tasks like finding specific information online or suggesting alternatives to a recipe.

It’s a step forward, but Siri isn’t yet an AI assistant that can replace Google searches or dedicated chatbots.

Photo editing magic

One standout feature is Apple’s Cleanup Tool in Photos. If a stranger accidentally photobombs your vacation photo, you can tap and remove it in seconds.

The AI ​​will automatically fill in the background, although early testers have noted that it’s not perfect at times, although occasional blur marks or smears can give away editing.

But as a built-in tool, this feature feels like a useful upgrade for anyone looking to make quick photo fixes without the need for extra apps or software.

Prioritized notifications and reduce interruptions

Apple Intelligence also offers Priority Notifications and Disruption Reduction mode, which aims to filter out clutter in real-time. These features use artificial intelligence to analyze notifications and try to ensure that only important alerts arrive.

For example, an urgent work email may appear at the top of your inbox, while a casual message from a friend may be summarized instead.

However, users shared mixed reactions, as some recaps turned out to be funnier than expected (like one recap that made a breakup text a bit too light).

In this first release, Apple Intelligence doesn’t aim to be the most powerful AI suite on the market, but focuses on simplifying daily tasks with a greater focus on user privacy.

Device compatibility and waitlist experience

Apple Intelligence is here, but if you’re thinking of trying it today, you may have to wait a bit. Only certain devices are compatible with the update and not all features may be available immediately.

Apple has opted for a slow, regionally restricted release for Apple Intelligence, starting with the US and a few English-speaking regions. Full access for other domains may not be available until 2025, which irritated many users.

Only newer devices running M1 chips or above can support Apple Intelligence, leaving out many iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

For iPhones, this includes iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple Intelligence is compatible with iPads, iPad Pro (M1 and later) and iPad Air (M1 and later).

Mac users will need one of these models: MacBook Air (M1 and above), MacBook Pro (M1 and above), iMac (M1 and above), Mac mini (M1 and above), Mac Studio (M1 Max and above), or Mac Pro (M2 Ultra).

To gain access, users with compatible devices must first install the latest operating system update (iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1), then join a waitlist to activate Apple Intelligence.

Early adopters report that getting off this waitlist can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Additionally, in certain regions, users must change their device language and region settings to US English to sign up.

This strategy is not new; Apple followed a similar path with features like iCloud and Apple Pay, gradually building security and stability before rolling them out to the masses.

Apple is taking a different artificial intelligence path

While Apple Intelligence is off to a strong start, some of its most intriguing features have yet to be revealed.

Genmoji, which allows users to create custom emojis, and Image Playground, which provides illustrations from text prompts, are expected in December as part of the next operating system update.

Apple also plans to introduce Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides instant information about objects or places through the camera.

Moreover, unlike rivals such as Samsung and Google, which prioritize fast and broad AI rollouts, Apple’s gradual approach seems more conservative.

For example, Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite supports multiple languages ​​and will be available on devices from 2022. However, Apple Intelligence is currently limited to certain regions and a single language.

This slower rollout may give Apple Intelligence a “premium” feel, reserved for newer devices and designed to deliver a more controlled user experience.

Buzz and response

Apple’s introduction of Apple Intelligence was disappointing, as early adopters realized the reality didn’t quite live up to the hype.

To its credit, Apple has doubled down on security and offered bounties of up to $1 million to anyone who can successfully break into its AI servers.

The award is a nod to the broader community of white hat hackers and security researchers who are key to uncovering vulnerabilities before they reach the public. But beyond the applause for security, the experience of accessing Apple Intelligence left many users disappointed.

The rollout, which required users to install the latest update just to join a waitlist, has been a common pain point, making the entire process feel like a “floating island of garbage.”

Some users felt that the result fell far short of the anticipated “AI revolution” and described the update as “minor changes” rather than a transformative experience.

Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” rollout feels like a disappointment. After all the hype, users are getting minor tweaks instead of the promised AI revolution.https://t.co/ox7Jor9qOJ

— Nekole🇺🇲 (@NekoleUnknown) 28 October 2024

Comparisons were also made to the early, heady days of Apple Maps, when an undercooked launch led to widespread disappointment.

I’m using Apple Intelligence in beta and I’m completely blown away by it. Apple failed badly; It’s the same kind of failure as when they first released Apple Maps. If they can’t pull up their socks quickly, Apple’s days are numbered.

— James A. Tidmarsh (@jtidmarsh) October 27, 2024

Users called on Apple to “pull up its socks quickly” to maintain customer trust and meet the high expectations of its community.

For users who prioritize privacy and simplicity over comprehensive AI functionality, this measured approach may be appropriate. But for those looking for a powerful AI experience out of the box, Apple’s approach will likely require patience.