Apple's scheduled release of AI features will be delayed

Apple's highly anticipated AI features will not be available during the initial launch of the iPhone and iPad software overhaul, as originally expected. However, this delay provides Apple with more time to address any bugs and ensure a smoother consumer release.

According to insiders, Apple is planning to roll out Apple Intelligence to customers through software updates scheduled for October, a few weeks after the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 releases in September. Nevertheless, the company will make Apple Intelligence accessible to developers ahead of time, enabling them to test and address any issues through the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas, introduced earlier than usual in the development process.

The decision to separate the AI features from the initial software launch stems from concerns over stability. Apple wishes to obtain developer support to iron out any potential issues and test the features more extensively before their wide release.

During its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple initially unveiled the upcoming AI capabilities as part of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. However, with the revised schedule, these features will now be introduced in subsequent updates to the operating systems.

While Apple Intelligence will offer various features such as notification prioritization, web page and voice note summaries, writing improvements, a redesigned Siri, and integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT, its full range of capabilities won't be available until multiple updates to iOS 18 over the span of 2024 and the first half of 2025.

Upon launch with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence will still lack some key components, including significant changes to Siri. These changes involve utilizing on-device data for query assistance and providing contextual answers based on the content displayed on the user's screen.

Apple's focus on Apple Intelligence extends beyond iPhones and iPads. The technology giant aims to incorporate AI features into its Mac computers with in-house Apple chips through the macOS Sequoia update. It is also in development for the Vision Pro device, with a release planned for the future.

With Apple Intelligence, Apple intends to compete in the rapidly growing generative AI space. By limiting support to the previous year's iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming iPhone 16 line, the company believes the new features will drive sales for the latest models, especially considering the minimal design changes in the iPhone 16 line. The software-related enhancements, along with a dedicated camera control button and faster chip, will play a significant role in convincing customers to purchase the new iPhones.

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