Apple's Highly Anticipated AI Features Face Delay

Apple's much-awaited artificial intelligence features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, will not be included in the initial release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 this September. Instead, the tech giant plans to introduce these features through software updates by October, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Apple Intelligence Available for Testing, Tho

Despite the delay, Apple is taking an unusual step by making Apple Intelligence available to software developers for early testing as soon as this week. This move, involving iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas, is part of Apple's strategy to ensure a smooth consumer release of its significant AI investment.

The decision to separate the AI features from the main iOS 18 launch was partly due to concerns over stability. Apple needs developer support to identify and resolve potential issues before the public release.

An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on these developments.

The company is currently working on the fourth beta of iOS 18.0, aiming to finalize development by the end of July. This timeline is crucial as new iPhones typically ship with the latest software pre-installed.

Apple AI - Updates May be Coming

The delayed release of Apple Intelligence means that the first iPhone 16 models may require a software update weeks after purchase to access the new AI features. These include enhanced notification prioritization, web page and voice note summaries, writing improvement tools, Siri upgrades, and integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Even after the initial release with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, some features will still be missing. Notably, certain Siri improvements, such as on-device data utilization for queries and context-aware responses, will be absent.

When is All of Apple Intelligence Coming?

Apple plans to roll out its complete set of Apple Intelligence features through multiple updates to iOS 18 from late 2024 through the first half of 2025. The features will also come to Mac computers with Apple chips and are in development for the Vision Pro, though with a later release date.

Gary Marcus, an artificial intelligence expert and NYU professor, raised pertinent questions about AI companies' business models on social media platform X:

"Investors should ask: What is their moat? Unique tech? What is their route in profitability when Meta is giving away similar tech for free? Do they have a killer app? Will the tech ever be reliable? What is real and what is just a demo?"

Apple is banking on these AI enhancements to compete in the burgeoning generative AI market and to drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 16 line. With minimal design changes expected for the new iPhones, these software improvements, along with a new camera control button and faster chip, will be key selling points.