Apple rolls out AI features across its premium iPhone, iPad and Mac devices

Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks at the start of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, 2024 in Cupertino, California. Photo: AFP

The release, first previewed in June, marks Apple's foray into an AI race that has seen US tech giants rush into ChatGPT-style technology

Apple on Monday rolled out its first set of artificial intelligence features, dubbed "Apple Intelligence," across its premium iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, marking the tech giant's major push into generative AI.

The release, first previewed by the company in June, marks Apple's foray into an AI race that has seen US tech giants rush into ChatGPT-style technology.

Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple are convinced that generative AI's powers are the next chapter of computing and have ramped up spending so as not to be left behind.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can deliver, and we're incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users' lives," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a blog post.

Apple's new features include enhanced writing tools, improved photo searching capabilities, and a more conversational Siri virtual assistant.

The company also plans to integrate ChatGPT's capabilities into its services by December.

Additional features planned for December include the ability to generate custom emoji and create images from text descriptions.

The features are largely being limited to the latest iPhones and iPads as well as Mac computers.

The powers of Apple Intelligence are for now only available in US English.

Versions in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean and other languages will be released in the coming year.

At the launch event in June, Apple had postponed the launch of Apple Intelligence in the European Union indefinitely, due to "regulatory uncertainties" linked to new laws.

It now said that most offerings will be available in the EU on Mac computers in US English and will begin to be deployed on iPhones and iPads from April.

Apple Intelligence features also include system-wide writing tools that can rewrite and proofread text, and the ability to remove unwanted objects from images.

Overall, the features are similar to tools recently released by Meta, Microsoft and Google.

Amid concerns about the safety of AI models, the company said that its technology prioritises user privacy by keeping processing on-device or by using a new "Private Cloud" system.

This, the company says, will keep personal data within the Apple ecosystem, which privileges data privacy.

Apple also unveiled a new desktop computer, the iMac, on Monday, that features Apple Intelligence.

Apple rolls out AI features across its premium iPhone, iPad and Mac devices

The release, first previewed in June, marks Apple's foray into an AI race that has seen US tech giants rush into ChatGPT-style technology Apple on Monday rolled out its first set of artificial intelligence features, dubbed "Apple Intelligence," across its premium iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, marking the tech giant's major push into generative AI. The release, first previewed by the company in June, marks Apple's foray into an AI race that has...

Lifestyle

Miss Grand International imposes lifetime ban on Myanmar’s national director

The Miss Grand International pageant has imposed a lifetime ban on Myanmar’s national director Htoo Ant Lwin, citing his “lack of sportsmanship and business credibility.”

Lifestyle

Meet Benedict Wong: how the 3 Body Problem actor launched himself out of his family’s takeaway restaurant and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and Ian McKellen was an early fan

The British actor, who faced agent indifference and was often typecast in predictable Asian roles early in his career, is now master of the sorcery required to make it as a star in Hollywood British actor Benedict Wong has gone from starring in Asian-centric roles to taking on characters that transcend cultures and race. While the actor has been ho...

Lifestyle

Why Mexico’s lucha libre is more than just a masked wrestling spectacle – it’s also steeped in tradition

It's difficult to find an experience as quintessentially Mexican as lucha libre, the wrestling extravaganzas with masked heroes and villains Mexico City excites and exhilarates but is never a destination for the faint-hearted. The Latin American metropolis, teeming with people and traffic jams, dazzles and intoxicates with pre-Columbian ruins, sumptuous colonial baroque churches and palaces, cutting-edge museums and modern architecture. And a...

Lifestyle

Apple is set to launch iOS 18.1 today with the new AI feature

Apple's iOS 18.1 update launched today, and some iPhone users will get their first taste of the new Apple Intelligence features. That includes AI writing tools, notification summaries and a major Siri makeover.

Lifestyle

34 Clever Space-Saving Hacks For Tiny Kitchens

Make the most of every inch with these top space-saving ideas for small kitchens...

Lifestyle

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite to give Chinese smartphones an AI power boost

Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme and Honor have announced devices with the new chip as they look to take on Apple and Samsung in AI The latest smartphone chip from market leader Qualcomm could give a much-needed boost to Chinese brands trying to take on Apple and Samsung Electronics amid a race to offer artificial intelligence (AI) features. Qualcomm unveiled its Snapdragon 8 Elite on Monday with an emphasis on its ability to run generative AI models...

Lifestyle