Apple Intelligence: Delayed to iOS 18.1

Apple Inc.'s upcoming artificial intelligence features, known as Apple Intelligence, will arrive later than anticipated. These features will miss the initial launch of the upcoming iPhone and iPad software overhauls, giving the company more time to fix bugs and ensure a smooth rollout.

Delayed Rollout for Apple Intelligence

Apple plans to begin rolling out Apple Intelligence to customers as part of software updates by October. This means the AI features will arrive a few weeks after the initial iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 releases, which are planned for September. This information comes from sources familiar with Apple's plans, who requested anonymity due to the unannounced release details.

Despite the delay, Apple plans to make Apple Intelligence available to software developers for early testing as soon as this week via iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. This strategy is atypical, as the company usually releases previews of follow-up updates closer to the public release of the initial software version.

Ensuring Stability with Developer Support

The stakes for this release are higher than usual. To ensure a smooth consumer experience, Apple needs developers' support to help iron out issues and test features on a broader scale. Concerns over the stability of Apple Intelligence features led to the decision to separate these features from the initial launch of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.

In June, Apple announced the new features and operating systems at its Worldwide Developers Conference. However, the new timing means the AI capabilities won’t be widely launched until a subsequent update. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

Development Timeline and Beta Testing

Apple launched the fourth beta of iOS 18.0 to developers last week (on Friday), aiming to complete development by the end of July. Typically, new iPhones, introduced each September, come with the latest software pre-installed. This timeline necessitates finishing the operating system several weeks earlier to allow time for installation on new devices before shipping.

The release plan for Apple Intelligence suggests that the first iPhone 16 models shipped to consumers may lack the new AI features, requiring a software update weeks later. Apple Intelligence includes various features, such as prioritizing key notifications, web page and voice note summaries, tools to improve writing, a revamp to Siri, and integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Phased Rollout of Apple Intelligence Features

Even when Apple Intelligence launches with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, some features will still be missing. This includes significant changes to Siri, such as using on-device data to field queries and using what is on a person’s screen to provide context for answers.

Apple plans to roll out the complete set of Apple Intelligence features via multiple updates to iOS 18 across the end of 2024 and through the first half of 2025. Beyond the iPhone and iPad, Apple Intelligence will come to Mac computers with in-house Apple chips as part of macOS Sequoia. It's also in development for the Vision Pro, though a release for that device isn’t planned until later.

Competing in the Generative AI Space

Apple is betting on Apple Intelligence to help it compete in the generative AI space, which has revolutionized businesses and consumer devices over the past year. By limiting support to the iPhone 15 Pro from last year and the upcoming iPhone 16 line, Apple believes the new features could drive sales of new iPhones this year.

The iPhone 16 line will have minimal design changes, so software-related enhancements, a new button for controlling the camera, and a faster chip will be crucial selling points.

Final Generation

According to individuals who know Apple's plans, the company plans to start rolling out Apple Intelligence in software updates by October. This arrival will be several weeks after the launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Concerns about the stability of Apple Intelligence features and the need for developers to have sufficient testing time have prompted this delay.

Apple Intelligence will still be made available to software developers for early testing via the first betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, an unusual move for the company. This new release strategy means that the iPhone 16 lineup will likely launch without Apple Intelligence features, requiring a software update later. When Apple Intelligence does ship to us developers, I'll be sure to give a detailed look.

Even when Apple Intelligence arrives with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, some aspects, such as the overhauled version of Siri that uses on-device data to answer questions and understand what is on a user's screen, will still be missing. These features are expected to arrive in the first half of 2025.