apple's intelligence upgrade for Siri might be delayed until January 2025
Dang, folks, I've been ruminating on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro releases, and boy, there's been a whiff of discontent in the air. Apple hyped up its new AI-focused direction with Apple Intelligence, but honestly, the new phone isn't shouting, "AI!" from the rooftops. There are a couple of helpful features, like improved writing tools and mail summaries, but that's about it.
But fret not, the future of Apple Intelligence is looking bright. Apple's strategy is to roll out new features gradually, ensuring they're fully vetted before hitting devices. According to the trusty Bloomberg PowerOn newsletter, here's what we can expect:
First up, we have iOS 18.1, currently in beta. It's slated for release in October and comes equipped with an updated Control Center and Type to Siri capabilities. Next, we've got iOS 18.2, due in December ahead of the holiday season. This version will introduce Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, and the vaunted Image Playground, aka Apple's AI answer to competitors like Google's Gemini and Samsung's Galaxy AI.
The big kahuna update, iOS 18.3, is scheduled for a January release. It's meant to unlock Siri's full potential, with on-screen awareness, personal context, and other enhancements. And finally, we've got iOS 18.4, which was initially set to unveil all the AI-enhanced Siri features. However, with users grumbling about the delay, Apple may be considering an earlier release—keep your eyes peeled for an update soon.
For now, iOS 18.1 represents the most substantial Siri AI infusion, with a screen that lights up around the phone's edges, enhanced sensitivity, and improved conversation capabilities. Although Apple may not have come out swinging with Apple Intelligence from the get-go, it's wise to prioritize quality over speed. Let's be grateful that Siri is still steering questions and commands, as an Android user might tell you, other AI assistants can be a bit lackluster.
The upcoming iOS 18.1 release, scheduled for October, promises enhanced controls and type-to-Siri capabilities, indicating Apple's gradual integration of new technology into its iOS system. With the expectation of iOS 18.2 in December, we can anticipate the introduction of ChatGPT integration and Genmoji, further showcasing Apple's commitment to AI integration. As for the much-awaited iOS 18.3, planned for January, it aims to unlock Siri's full potential, including on-screen awareness and personal context enhancements. Despite the delayed release of iOS 18.4, expected to unveil AI-enhanced Siri features, the current focus on quality rather than speed is evident in iOS 16's more subtle AI integration, staving off criticism of less capable AI assistants in other systems.
