Activating Apple’s Smart Features on Your iPhone

Apple is set to unveil a series of Apple Intelligence capabilities that were highlighted during its Worldwide Developer Conference in June.

However, these features are initially available only in the developer beta versions of iOS 18.1. For those hesitant about navigating potentially glitchy early software, it’s advisable to await the public beta versions or the official release later in the year.

To access Apple Intelligence functions on the developer beta, your device must be set to U.S. English for language and the U.S for the region. This setting does not impact your App Store region or purchases.

Here’s a guide to activating Apple Intelligence features:

• Navigate to the Settings application
• Proceed to the Apple Intelligence & Siri options.
• Select the “Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist” choice.

After receiving approval to join the waitlist, a notification will be sent to you. Downloading the necessary models and data for Apple Intelligence to function may take some time. You have the option to disable Apple Intelligence features at any moment.

Apple’s suite of AI features leverages both on-device processing and queries to the Apple Private Cloud. The creation of a waitlist is explained by the need to manage service capacity adequately.

Currently, Apple Intelligence is compatible exclusively with the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPads and Macs equipped with M1 chips.

Key Features on Offer

• New Siri: A refreshed animation for Siri powered by Apple Intelligence is now available. In loud environments or during meetings, you can text Siri by double-tapping the bottom bar. Siri is now adept at understanding corrections, setting a 15-minute timer even if you initially say 10 minutes by mistake.
• Instructional Queries: Siri can now provide guidance on system-related queries, such as explaining how to conduct a screen recording.
• Text Editing Tools: Across the system, any text can be reformatted. Commands like “Proofread” help check for and correct spelling and grammatical mistakes, while “Rewrite” can adjust the selected text without significantly altering its meaning. It also offers tone adjustments with options like “Friendly,” “Professional,” or “Concise,” and can summarize texts into lists, key points, or tables.
• Mail Application: Summaries of emails are now visible in a single line without needing to open them, courtesy of Apple Intelligence which also prioritizes critical emails at the top of your inbox. Furthermore, AI-generated smart replies facilitate quick email responses.
• Photos: Searching for photos using natural language queries is now possible. Additionally, creating memories through prompts is a new feature.
• Notification Summaries: Summaries for certain mail and message notifications are now available through Apple Intelligence.
• Call Transcripts: Call recording can now be activated with a single tap, thanks to Apple Intelligence, with the recordings saved in a dedicated “Call Recordings” folder within the Notes app.
• Audio Support in Notes: Direct recording and transcription into the notes app are now possible, with automatic summary generation by Apple’s AI suite.

There are features still awaited in Apple Intelligence, including the removal of unwanted objects in photos, emoji and image playground enhancements, and interactions with ChatGPT. No specific timeline has been offered for the rollout of these features as of now.