Happy Mobile Monday, Yanko Design readers! This week, we’re diving into an exciting new chapter for Apple as we roll out Apple Intelligence, released next week. These new features will be available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Let’s take a look at how these features can improve our daily experiences, make our devices smarter, and frankly, more fun to use.
Designer: Apple
Writing tools: Make communication easier
Apple’s writing tools correct your grammar, sharpen your writing, and fundamentally change the way you communicate in writing on your device. Imagine you’re drafting an important email and need to strike the difficult balance between being polite and assertive. AI built into writing tools can enhance what you write, making it crisper, more concise, and clearly conveying your intent without stressing every word. On busy mornings when every minute counts, these tools will save you time and mental energy so you can focus on what’s important.
The advantage of these tools is that they integrate seamlessly across the Apple ecosystem. Whether you need to jot down a quick note, send a text, or compose a work email, our writing tools are here to help. Imagine managing work emails, your kids’ school schedules, and dinner plans all at once. AI condenses long message threads to the point, creates quick response templates, and ensures consistency of tone, without users having to jump between apps.
If you like making lists or drafting detailed summaries, the writing tool lets you turn long paragraphs into bulleted lists and tables with just a click. Perfect for work presentations, project reports, and even for quickly organizing your thoughts.
Upgraded Siri: A more intuitive assistant
The upcoming Siri upgrade will feature a new interface and a complete rethinking of how Siri fits into our daily routines. One of the biggest changes is the ability for Siri to accept written commands. Let’s say you’re in a quiet place, like a library, a meeting, or even a shared workspace, where it’s not appropriate to talk to Siri out loud. Now you can type commands into Siri to get the help you need. It brings a new level of convenience in a time when silence is at a premium.
But Siri upgrades aren’t just for typing. A new language model allows Siri to better understand more subtle requests. Imagine planning a trip and asking Siri for the best route with multiple stops. New features in Siri improve understanding of complex expressions and personal context to provide instructions tailored precisely to your needs. The way Siri understands it feels natural, even if it’s not 100% accurate.
Another important enhancement is the integration of technical support. Siri now acts like a first-line technical assistant and can handle more complex queries. If you need to troubleshoot an issue with your Apple TV or reset your Wi-Fi settings, Siri will guide you step-by-step. This eliminates the need to Google for answers or read long manuals. Siri has your back, providing real-time support when you need it most.
Smart Reply: Respond quickly whenever you need it
Smart Reply is Apple’s answer to the fast pace of modern communication. This is made for when you feel overwhelmed and don’t have time to craft a complete response. Imagine being on a crowded train, trying to manage your incoming texts while trying not to miss your stop. With Smart Reply, your iPhone provides pre-generated, context-aware responses based on the situation. You can immediately reply, “Okay, let’s do it!” You don’t have to type everything out or “I’ll contact you right away.”
These Apple Intelligence-suggested replies are based on the context of the conversation, significantly speeding up response times. Gmail users may be familiar with something similar. Whether it’s a quick work check or planning a lunch with a friend, Smart Reply lets you move the conversation forward without the stress of thinking of the perfect response.
Smart Reply provides efficient assistance for quick replies and confirmations, but also knows when to step aside for more complex conversations that require a personal touch. For complex questions and sensitive discussions, AI puts you in control and ensures your personal touch is not lost. It’s about enhancing your workflow without taking over the most important parts.
Call recording and transcription: never miss a detail
The new call recording and transcription feature is a huge upgrade, especially for those who need to capture details accurately. Whether it’s a regular phone conversation or FaceTime audio, when you press the record button during a call, every detail is saved as both audio and transcription. This is a huge benefit for people who need to remember every detail, from journalists conducting interviews to business professionals creating contracts with customers on short notice.
Think of a phone call where important points such as deadlines, project requirements, contract details, etc. are discussed. Instead of taking notes in a hurry and potentially missing something, you can record the entire conversation and save the transcript directly in the Notes app. You can easily and quickly go back to review specific topics or quotes. No more replaying entire conversations back and forth to find key moments. It’s about never missing a beat, even when things get hectic.
If you have a newer model like the iPhone 15 Pro, you have the added benefit of real-time transcription and call summarization. Transcript generated in real-time during the call, ready for reference after the call ends. It’s like having a personal meeting assistant who can pick up on every nuance without lifting a finger.
Overview of notifications and emails and messages
Managing your notifications can feel like a full-time job, but Notification Overview can help ease the burden. Apple Intelligence uses AI to group related notifications, so you receive one clean, consolidated notification instead of multiple reminders for things like payment due dates, receipts, and receipts. This reduces confusion and provides up-to-date information without constant pings. Your iPhone becomes a tool that helps you, not a distraction.
This summarizing power also applies to emails and messages. Think of a long email chain involving multiple people. Instead of scrolling through all the responses, you get a nice overview of what’s happened so far. Group messages can also have benefits, especially if the conversation goes off topic. Apple Intelligence summarizes it for you, so you can stay up-to-date without having to sift through the less relevant parts.
Photo updates: Capture moments your way
The Photos app is also smarter, with new AI-powered enhancements that make it easier to edit and manage your library. The new “Cleanup” tool is very similar to Google’s Magic Eraser, a tool I use every day. I took a photo of a gorgeous sunset and then noticed a stranger walking into the photo. With just a tap, that stranger will disappear and your photo will be as perfect as you remember. Easily improve your photos even if you’re not an editing pro.
Searching for photos has also become much easier. Now you can use natural language to find what you need. Instead of endlessly scrolling through thumbnails, you can say, “This photo of me and my dad at the beach last summer,” and iPhone will bring that exact photo to the front. What used to be an arduous hunt quickly turns into a fun and memorable moment.
Apple is also introducing “Memories Movies” to the Photos app. You can tell the AI something like “last year’s birthday party” and it will create a video collage of the best photos and clips from that event. It’s not just about preserving memories. It’s about reliving them. Photo apps have evolved from being a place to store photos to tools that help you cherish those moments over and over again.
Intelligent interruptions in focus mode: stay informed without making any noise
Focus mode is a great way to reduce distractions, but it can be too harsh in some cases. Intelligent Interrupts fixes this problem by letting really important notifications pass through even when Focus Mode is turned on. This is very useful if you have a work deadline coming up and you don’t want any interruptions except for urgent messages from your child’s school. With Intelligent Interrupts, Apple intelligence determines which notifications are important enough to break the silence.
Over time, Apple’s AI learns what’s important to you, so it knows when to intervene and when to back off. It could be an urgent email from your boss or a notification from your health app reminding you to take your medication. This makes Focus Mode smarter, helping you stay productive and stay informed when things really matter.
This kind of personalization is what makes Apple Intelligence so effective. Capturing what really matters helps you stay productive and responsive, giving you the peace of mind that you won’t miss anything important even when you’re immersed in your work.
Upgrading non-AI systems: Improving the overall experience
Even without the AI bells and whistles, iOS 18.1 has plenty of new features to make your iPhone experience smoother. The redesigned Control Center is now easier to customize than ever before. You can arrange connectivity shortcuts for WiFi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, cellular data, and more in a way that makes the most sense for you. Most importantly, make sure what you use is the most accessible. If you decide you don’t like the settings, you can reset them to default with just a tap.
There are also new features for file management. You can now drag and drop files while mirroring your iPhone to your Mac, allowing you to move content seamlessly between devices. Imagine starting a draft of a project on your phone and then dragging it to your Mac for further editing. It’s the kind of fluid experience that makes working across multiple devices feel less like a chore and more like a true ecosystem.
The expanded NFC chip functionality is also a welcome addition. Third-party apps can now use your iPhone’s NFC capabilities for things like transportation cards and hotel room keys, turning your phone into an even more versatile everyday tool. If you’re using an iPhone 16, the new capacitive camera control button lets you instantly jump into selfie mode, perfect for capturing candid moments without fumbling.
something not yet completed
There’s a lot to look forward to in iOS 18.1, and it’s just the beginning. Apple is already working on more features that will be rolled out soon. Upcoming tools like Image Playground and Genmoji will allow you to create custom images and emojis, bringing a whole new level of personalization to the way you express yourself. Imagine generating an emoji that perfectly describes your mood. It’s important to make your technology a little more personal.
Siri will also receive further updates in the future. Features like Visual Intelligence allow Siri to provide information about your surroundings, whether it’s identifying landmarks, plants, or something else, just by taking a photo. Additionally, Apple Intelligence will initially be available only in US English, but we hope to expand to other languages and regions soon.
These upcoming features are just a few of the upcoming features. Today, iOS 18.1 lays the foundation for a more intelligent and user-friendly iPhone experience, blending convenience with a deeper understanding of our lives. It’s about making your iPhone not just a tool, but a smarter companion. Please stay tuned. This is just the beginning of what Apple Intelligence can do.
