Apple's Artificial Intelligence Features Delayed

This delay will give the company additional time to address potential bugs and refine the features.

Apple's Artificial Intelligence Features Delayed
Photo by Xiong Yan / Unsplash

Apple Inc.'s much-anticipated artificial intelligence features, collectively branded as Apple Intelligence, will miss the initial release of its new iPhone and iPad software updates. The rollout of these AI capabilities is now scheduled for October, following the initial launch of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September, according to a news report to Bloomberg.

Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information, revealed that Apple is planning to release Apple Intelligence as part of software updates that will be available in October. This delay will give the company additional time to address potential bugs and refine the features.

For the first time, Apple plans to make Apple Intelligence available to developers through betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 starting this week. This early access is unusual for Apple, which typically keeps previews of follow-up updates under wraps until the initial version of the software is released.

The postponement of the AI features is attributed to concerns regarding the stability and performance of Apple Intelligence. The company intends to utilize developer feedback to guarantee a seamless launch for consumers. Apple initially unveiled these AI features at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, intending to integrate them into iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.

Due to the updated timeline, the upcoming iPhone 16 models set to ship this September might not come with the complete set of Apple Intelligence features initially. These updates are anticipated to be available in a later software release. The main components of Apple Intelligence encompass sophisticated notification management, summaries for web pages and voice notes, improved writing aids, an overhauled Siri, and integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Despite the delay, Apple is committed to rolling out the complete set of Apple Intelligence features through a series of updates extending into the first half of 2025. In addition to iPhones and iPads, Apple Intelligence will be integrated into Mac computers running macOS Sequoia and the Vision Pro, though the latter’s release is slated for a later date.

While the iPhone 16 will not see major design changes, the introduction of new software features and a faster chip are expected to drive sales. The delay in Apple Intelligence offers the company a strategic opportunity to enhance the AI experience and ensure its software meets high standards before it reaches the broader consumer base.