The latest wave of AI-packed tech devices is coming from Cupertino — where “AI” stands for “Apple Intelligence.” At its 2024 WWDC conference, Apple revealed that its next big software updates, such as iOS 18, will offer its own take on the wave of features that are hitting Copilot+ PCs and Chromebook Plus laptops. And these features will hit various Apple products this fall.
That all starts with features such as image generation based around your contacts, help rewriting your emails and a new Siri that can do things for you. The big twist? Apple Intelligence features do most of their so-called thinking on-device (across all of its platforms) for an incredibly more secure and private experience than if it were going back and forth between the cloud. Of course, Apple will send your query to its own private cloud servers if need be. Apple’s also making its AI more personal by using the data you already store in its apps to make Apple Intelligence work for you. Support for OpenAI’s ChatGPT tech is also coming to Apple devices, but you will always have to opt in to that service.
To play in the Apple Intelligence waters, though, you’re going to need a compatible device. The requirements for iPads and Macs are simple: They must run on one of the company’s M-series processors. As for the iPhones? Well, you’ll need a phone with an A17 Pro chip or later, which is currently just the latest Pro-series model.
iPhones
Tired of sifting through lock screen notifications to find what really matters? Apple Intelligence is going to bring the most timely notifications to the top with Priority Notifications. The same functionality is coming to the iOS 18 Mail app where we’re even more bogged down thanks to newsletters, promotions and spam. Oh, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered Siri will accept text-based questions and directions on your iPhone for those times when you don’t want to talk aloud.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the only current phones that will get Apple Intelligence at launch, because they’re the only iPhones with the A17 Pro processor.
iPads
Composing and editing emails and other documents on an iPad could become a lot easier with Apple Intelligence. If you find yourself having difficulty with your tone, the Friendly, Professional and Concise tone options in the Rewrite tool could be your new best friend. There’s also a new proofreading option that may help those in need of an editor. Apple Intelligence’s audio transcription tool could make the iPad invaluable in meetings as well as when you’re taking a call. The Apple Pencil’s new Image Wand tool will potentially let you enhance a sketch you make after circling it — and it will use the context of the words around your drawing in a Notes document to inform what the image should look like.
Apple’s midrange iPad is the most affordable way to try Apple Intelligence, and this tablet also supports the new Apple Pencil Pro.
The best iPad money can buy is the first and only device with Apple’s M4 chip, which should help it speed through even the most complicated AI tasks.
Macs
M-series Macs running macOS Sequoia (due this fall) will also get Apple Intelligence, and the physical keyboards attached to these MacBooks and Macs make them ideal for using Siri’s new text input option. You’ll also be able to generate images of your own, including Apple’s Genmoji, which are new custom images you make when that long sheet of emoji is missing the right option. Rewrite is also here, allowing you to edit and proofread text with Apple Intelligence.
This MacBook Air replaced the iconic M1 model by offering a more colorful screen, convenient MagSafe charging and a thinner and lighter design.
Sold in 13-inch and 15-inch configurations, the latest MacBook Air offers slightly better battery life.
Give Apple Intelligence more power with the M3 MacBook Pro, which can be upgraded to faster M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
The iMac’s 24-inch display makes it ideal for working on multimedia projects, while Apple Intelligence and Siri help you find photos and files.
The M2 Max and M2 Ultra-based Mac Studio computers will slice through your work while you test out Apple Intelligence tools.
It's been a while since Apple last updated its practically portable desktop computer, but its M-series chip enables Apple Intelligence features.
The behemoth of the Mac family, the customizable Mac Pro runs on the M2 Ultra chip, so it, too, can work with all the Apple Intelligence tools.
The takeaway
Much like a lot of the generative AI tools we’ve seen recently, Apple Intelligence sits firmly in the “wait and see” category of computational tricks. While those who already have their own favorite AI tool will be excited to see the company jump on board to catch up with Windows and Google, the skeptics out there (count me as one) might not feel a need to upgrade.
Support across all of Apple’s current Macs, as well as its speedier iPads and its best iPhone, though, means that folks who bought in recently won’t need to do so again in order to try Apple’s take on this new world of technology.