Apple will introduce the first Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1, but you’ll only get a fraction of the features that will be rolled out over the next year. Writing tools, summaries, and smart replies are coming, but more exciting AI options like Image Playground don’t become available until later.
This guide includes current rumors about features that won’t be included in iOS 18.1 and when we can expect those features. For the feature list, can If you expect to use it with iOS 18.1, please see the iOS 18.1 Apple Intelligence Guide.
image playground
Image Playground allows you to generate cartoon-style images using any phrase. This will be a standalone app, but will also be integrated into Messages and Notes. Notes apps can use Image Playground to generate images based on what you write.
In Messages and the Image Playground app itself, you can create whatever you want, including using photos of your friends and contacts to turn images into inspiration. Apple sticks to unrealistic styles for these, so you won’t get anything photorealistic that could be mistaken for the real thing.
source character
Genmoji is similar to Image Playground, but with the ability to generate any emoji you want. Currently, you’re limited to emojis defined by the Unicode Consortium, but Genmoji changes that.
Just like Image Playground, you can design all kinds of things. Does your dog want to eat pancakes? no problem. Crocodile skateboard? You can now create it using the source character function. Similar to Image Playground, you can create Genmojis based on your friends’ photos. You can use the Genmoji you create just like emojis, but the recipient must have iOS 18 to display the Genmoji correctly.
image wand
Image Wand is an Image Playground-based feature added to the Notes app. It allows you to insert images into your notes based on context. On iPad, you can draw rough graphics and let Image Wand create something nice to accompany your notes.
priority notification
Priority notifications appear at the top of your notification stack so you can access what’s most important first.
Apple is adding features to its Mail app that automatically categorize incoming messages for better management of things like newsletters and purchase emails.
Siri
Some initial Siri updates are coming with iOS 18.1, including a new glow for “Siri” that surrounds the edges of the display, but many of the more advanced features won’t be available until later.
Apple is working on on-screen recognition, personal context, and the ability to take more actions within and across apps.
On-screen recognition allows Siri to take actions when you ask a question about what’s on your display. If you’re looking at a photo and want to send a message to your friend Eric, you can tell Siri, “Send this photo to Eric,” and Siri will understand and do it.
Personal context allows Siri to do more with personal data such as emails and messages. This is a feature on your device that allows Siri to learn more about you, the people you’re communicating with, and how you use your device. With personal context, you can ask Siri to search for a specific message or remind you when you took the photo you’re looking for.
Siri options significantly improve Siri’s capabilities by allowing you to perform more actions within and between apps. You’ll be able to move files from one app to another, and use Siri to control app features that weren’t possible before. It works with Apple’s own apps as well as third-party apps.
ChatGPT integration
Apple is adding the ability for Siri to pass complex queries to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is not available in iOS 18.1.
additional languages
Apple Intelligence is currently available only in US English, but other languages will be supported in the future.
If you expect to add Apple Intelligence functionality
More Apple Intelligence features are coming in iOS 18.2, iOS 18.3, and iOS 18.4.
iOS 18.2 is expected to be released by the end of 2024 and will include Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT Siri integration.
In January or so, iOS 18.3 will be released, likely adding some new “Siri” features.
iOS 18.4, which is expected to arrive by around March 2025, will include most of the “Siri” Apple Intelligence features. It is also expected that Apple will roll out support for additional languages in 2025.
iOS 18.1 release date
iOS 18.1 is scheduled to be released on Monday, October 28th. Apple plans to release Apple Intelligence in beta, and the feature set will continue to improve over time.
