Apple may postpone AI functionality in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to ensure a smoother deployment

Apple's new AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, won't be included in the initial rollout of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The features will arrive in a subsequent update expected in October to deliver a smoother user experience. The expected characteristics of Apple artificial intelligence designed for Apple Intelligence will later appear later. These features can miss the initial development of the future software update of the iPhone and iPad, and increase the time for Apple to resolve errors.

According to Bloomberg, Apple Intelligence will be included in software updates scheduled for release in October. This means that the AI ​​features will arrive a few weeks after the planned September release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The report claims that the updates are being held back to ensure a smoother user experience. On the other hand, Apple will provide early access to Apple Intelligence for software developers this week through the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. Developers can help identify and resolve issues. Apple typically doesn't release preview versions of subsequent updates until the initial version of the new software is generally available. Apple recently released a fourth beta of iOS 18.0 to developers and aims to finalise development by the end of July. The company needs to finish the operating system well ahead of the new iPhone launch in September to ensure the software can be installed on new devices before they ship.

The stakes are high because Apple is betting big on AI: Ensuring stable releases is crucial, and Apple relies on developer support to test these features more extensively. Stability issues partly led to the decision to separate Apple Intelligence from the initial launches of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Apple introduced these new features and operating systems in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024). This rollout strategy suggests that the first iPhone 16 models shipping this year may not have the new AI features and may require a software update within the coming weeks. Apple Intelligence includes features such as key notification prioritization, web page and voice memo summaries, writing tools, an updated Siri, and integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Even if Apple Intelligence starts with iOS 18.1 and iPados 18.1, there are no specific features. It is important to note that significant improvements in Siri, such as using data on the device for requests and screen contexts, cannot be used immediately.

The report states that Apple plans to introduce the full set of Apple Intelligence features via several updates in late 2024 and the first half of 2025. These features will also be available on Macs powered by Apple chips via macOS Sequoia and are in development for Vision Pro, although the latter is not expected to be released anytime soon. Even after the launch of Apple Intelligence features, support will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. Apple hopes that these features will boost sales of the new iPhones. In terms of design, the iPhone 16 line will see minimal changes, so software enhancements, along with a new camera control button and a faster chip, will be key selling points for the new models.