iOS 18 is probably not particularly intelligent yet
Apple reportedly has to postpone the introduction of its new AI functions due to stability issues. "Apple Intelligence" is not expected to come with iOS 18 in September as announced, but rather with a later update. EU users may have to wait even longer.
The "next big step" for Apple is reportedly "Apple Intelligence." Tim Cook and his team announced it at the developer conference WWDC in June for September, when the iPhone-16 devices and iOS 18 are released. However, it seems that nothing will come of it for now, as there are reportedly unspecified stability issues.
It is now planned to bring "Apple Intelligence" with iOS 18.1 in October to the new iPhones and the 16-Pro Duo. Developers, however, can already work on the beta of the update earlier, so that not only Apple applications can use the new AI features at launch. Insiders quoted by "Bloomberg" suggest that Apple may already be preparing the software this week.
Gradual Introduction
If the company manages to resolve the stability issues by October, the update is likely to only offer a portion of the announced AI features. Bloomberg author Mark Gurman had previously reported that Siri, Apple's digital assistant, is expected to receive an update only in the spring of 2025.
For this fall, it is expected that "Apple Intelligence" will be able to analyze and summarize texts, help users organize emails and messages, and generate personalized emojis (Genmojis).
EU citizens may have to wait longer
For German and other EU citizens, the delay may not play a significant role. Apple had already announced that it would introduce the new AI features later in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The law requires gatekeepers to grant third-party access.
Apple could also cite data protection concerns, as some AI features require deep access to user data. The Financial Times reports that the company specifically mentioned "regulatory uncertainties" as a reason. However, they are in talks with the EU and confident of finding a solution. A possible basis for this could be that the DMA allows for access restrictions if the service integrity is at risk.
"Apple Intelligence" will initially only be available in English. The implementation of other new features has taken several months in the past. The complicating factor with the AI features is that Apple must integrate partners like OpenAI (ChatGPT).
Despite the delay in the release of "Apple Intelligence," Apple's new Mac OS X version is anticipated to include enhanced AI capabilities for its users. The upcoming Mac OS X update will allow iOS apps to run smoothly on Macs, making use of the powerful AI capabilities present in iPhone and iPad.
The impact of the delay on Apple's users could be mitigated by the fact that the latest Apple devices, including the iPhone-16 and iPad, all run on the stable and efficient iOS operating system. This operating system, coupled with the AI capabilities of Apple's devices, continues to provide users with a seamless and intelligent experience.
Furthermore, Apple's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its products extends beyond "Apple Intelligence." The company has invested significantly in AI research and development, including partnerships with companies like OpenAI. These investments aim to drive innovation and provide users with more intelligent and personalized experiences across all Apple devices, from Macs to iPhones and iPads.
