Starting today, Apple Intelligence features are available in a free update, making it easier to write, express, and get things done. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can now use Writing Tools to enhance their writing, experience a more natural, conversational Siri, and use Clean Up in Photos to remove background distractions. These features require devices to be set to U.S. English and updated to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.
Apple Intelligence uses advanced Apple-built generative models to enhance the capabilities of iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This personal intelligence system understands context to provide relevant support while prioritizing user privacy and setting new standards for privacy in AI.
What’s new with iOS 18.1?
Writing Tools
Writing Tools are designed to enhance confidence and productivity in communication. They allow users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize content across apps like Mail, Messages, Notes, and even third-party apps, making it easier to convey messages effectively across different platforms.
The Rewrite feature lets users adjust the tone of their messages to fit different situations, such as a professional tone for work, a friendly tone for personal messages, or a concise tone when brevity is important. This flexibility helps make each message more appropriate and effective.
The Proofread feature goes beyond basic grammar checks by suggesting improvements for word choice and sentence structure, with explanations for edits to help users learn and improve their writing skills over time.
The Summarize tool condenses long texts into clear summaries or lists, ideal for quickly reviewing lengthy emails, meeting notes, or articles. Writing Tools work consistently across Apple devices, simplifying and enhancing communication wherever needed.
Siri Upgrade
Siri’s latest upgrade improves both its look and usability. The new design includes an elegant glowing animation that appears on iPhone, iPad, CarPlay, and Mac, making Siri more engaging and clearly showing when it’s active and listening for commands. This visual update adds an intuitive, interactive element for users across devices.
A key improvement is the ability to place Siri anywhere on a Mac desktop, making it more accessible for multitasking. Users can now quickly issue commands without disrupting their workflow. Siri also seamlessly switches between text and voice commands, allowing users to interact in whichever way suits their environment—typing quietly in a meeting or speaking commands while driving.
With enhanced product knowledge, Siri can now provide detailed answers about Apple devices, such as how to take a screen recording or reset an AirTag. This makes it easier for users to navigate their devices without searching through settings or manuals. The new Siri is more than a voice assistant—it’s a smarter, more integrated tool that elevates the Apple experience.
Apple Mail Enhancements
Apple Mail now leverages Apple Intelligence for a more efficient email experience. High-priority messages automatically appear at the top of the inbox, helping users quickly focus on what’s most important and ensuring essential communications aren’t missed, even during busy times.
Email threads in Apple Mail are now summarized, allowing users to quickly grasp the key points of long conversations without reading every message. This is especially useful for those who handle large volumes of email and want to stay informed without spending too much time scrolling through lengthy threads.
The Smart Reply feature suggests contextually relevant responses, making it quicker to reply to messages. Whether responding to a work email or confirming an appointment, Smart Reply saves time and keeps communication flowing. These enhancements make Apple Mail an essential tool for staying organized and managing emails efficiently.
Notification Summaries
Apple Intelligence has enhanced notification management, making it less intrusive and more informative. Users now receive notification summaries that gather key information from apps like Mail and Messages. These summaries appear on the Lock Screen, allowing users to quickly scan important updates without unlocking their devices.
Instead of receiving a flood of individual notifications, users can now view a streamlined summary that highlights the most relevant details. This feature is especially useful on busy days, helping users keep track of multiple conversations and updates without feeling overwhelmed. By condensing notifications into a simple summary, Apple Intelligence reduces distractions while keeping users informed about what’s important.
This summary system is perfect for those who want to focus on tasks without constant interruptions. Seeing everything at a glance helps maintain productivity while staying connected, striking a balance between information and focus.
Photos Upgrade
The Photos app has been significantly upgraded with the Clean Up feature, making photo editing easier and more effective. Users can effortlessly remove unwanted elements from their pictures, such as strangers in the background or distractions that take away from the main focus. Clean Up ensures that photos look just how users want them. This feature works on all images in the Photos library, including those taken with other devices like DSLRs.
Another exciting improvement in the Photos app is the natural language search capability. This feature allows users to find specific images more intuitively by simply describing the content they’re looking for—like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt.” Photos will then locate the relevant images, eliminating the need to scroll endlessly through the library. This saves time and makes the overall experience more user-friendly.
In addition to editing and search features, the Photos app now lets users create customizable Memory Movies. By typing a description, users can generate a personalized slideshow that includes photos and videos from their library. This feature is perfect for capturing special moments and sharing them with friends and family, adding a creative touch to how users interact with their photo collections.
Additionally, natural language search makes it easier to find specific photos. Users can describe what they’re looking for—like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt”—and the app will locate the relevant images. This intuitive search feature helps keep photo collections organized and easy to navigate.
Call and Notes Transcription
Apple Intelligence has introduced powerful new features for recording and transcribing phone calls. This capability is particularly useful for capturing important details from business calls or personal conversations. After a call is recorded, Apple Intelligence provides a summary, allowing users to easily refer back to key points without listening to the entire conversation again.
Similarly, the Notes app now supports audio recording with automatic transcription. Users can record meetings, lectures, or personal notes, which are then transcribed into text. This feature is particularly beneficial for students and professionals who need to document information without taking manual notes in real-time, ensuring that all important details are captured for later review and organization.
These transcription tools efficiently track key information, making it easier to stay organized in both personal and professional contexts. By integrating these features into everyday apps, Apple Intelligence provides a practical solution for managing and retaining information.
