New AI, same Apple: Are users finally getting what they asked for?

Apple Intelligence promises big things, but will this foray into AI deliver real user impact, or will it only scratch the surface of tech innovation?

Apple officially entered the AI arena on Oct. 28 with Apple Intelligence, its new suite of features designed to make life easier across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. 

Apple Intelligence is here! 🎉 Starting today, you can get more done on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with powerful new features, including system-wide Writing Tools, a more conversational Siri, intelligence in photos, and so much more. This is the beginning of an exciting new era.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 28, 2024

In this latest release, Apple has packed in some exciting tools: enhanced writing aids, a revamped Siri that can handle more natural conversations, and even photo editing magic that lets users remove objects with a tap. 

But, despite Apple’s usual “it just works” charm, early adopters are finding a few wrinkles: a staggered rollout, a waitlist for access, and some unintentionally funny notification summaries. 

Let’s dive into what’s really under the hood and what it might mean for everyday users.

What is Apple Intelligence, and how can it really help?

Apple Intelligence brings AI tools designed to make tasks like writing, managing notifications, and even photo editing easier for users. But unlike other tech giants, Apple is approaching this differently. 

While Samsung, Google, and others have been integrating AI with wide-reaching access, Apple seems focused on rolling out a more tailored experience.

At its core, Apple Intelligence includes features like Writing Tools for making messages, emails, and notes more polished. Need a summary of a lengthy message thread or a quick proofread before sending an email? Now, you can access these tools across apps. 

The feature even provides explanations for suggested changes, which can be useful for anyone looking to sharpen their writing or fix simple errors on the go. 

But, unlike ChatGPT or other generative AI tools, Apple’s Writing Tools aren’t here to craft whole paragraphs or brainstorm with you — they’re more like a friendly editor than a co-writer.

New Siri on the block

Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, also gets a fresh look. Siri can now keep up with more natural speech, meaning it’s more forgiving if you stumble or rephrase mid-sentence. 

There’s even a Type to Siri option, where you can silently type out requests instead of speaking out loud, which can be handy in quiet settings. 

Early reviewers, however, say Siri still has a long way to go in handling complex tasks like finding specific information online or suggesting recipe substitutes. 

It’s a step forward, but Siri isn’t quite the AI assistant that might replace a Google search or dedicated chatbots just yet.

Photo editing magic

One standout feature is Apple’s Clean Up Tool in Photos. If a stranger accidentally photobombs your vacation snap, you can tap and remove them in seconds. 

The AI will fill in the background automatically, though early testers have noted that sometimes it’s not perfect — occasional blur marks or smudges can give away the editing. 

But as a built-in tool, this feature feels like a convenient upgrade for anyone who wants to make quick photo fixes without needing extra apps or software.

Priority notifications and reduce interruptions

Apple Intelligence also introduces Priority Notifications and a Reduce Interruptions mode aimed at filtering out clutter in real-time. Using AI to analyze notifications, these features attempt to keep only the essential alerts coming through. 

For instance, an urgent work email might show up at the top of your inbox, while a friend’s casual message could be summarized instead. 

Though, users have shared mixed reactions, as some summaries turn out funnier than expected, like one that summarized a breakup text a bit too lightly.

In this first release, Apple Intelligence isn’t aiming to be the most powerful AI suite out there, but it’s clearly set on simplifying everyday tasks with an added focus on user privacy. 

Device compatibility and the waitlist experience

Apple Intelligence is here, but if you’re hoping to try it out today, you might be in for a wait. Only certain devices are compatible with the update, and not every feature is immediately available. 

Apple has chosen a slow, regionally restricted release for Apple Intelligence, beginning with the U.S. and a few English-speaking regions. For other areas, full access might not arrive until 2025, which has left many users irked.

Only newer devices — those running on M1 chips or later — are able to support Apple Intelligence, leaving out many iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. 

For iPhones, this includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

On iPads, Apple Intelligence is compatible with the iPad Pro (M1 and later) and iPad Air (M1 and later). 

Mac users will need one of the following models: MacBook Air (M1 and later), MacBook Pro (M1 and later), iMac (M1 and later), Mac mini (M1 and later), Mac Studio (M1 Max and later), or Mac Pro (M2 Ultra).

To gain access, users with compatible devices must first install the latest OS update (iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1), then join a waitlist to enable Apple Intelligence. 

Early adopters report that getting off this waitlist can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days. And in certain regions, users have to switch their device language and region settings to U.S. English just to sign up. 

This strategy isn’t new — Apple took a similar path with features like iCloud and Apple Pay, gradually ensuring security and stability before releasing them to the masses.

Apple taking a different AI path

While Apple Intelligence has had a strong debut, some of its most intriguing features are yet to come.

Genmoji, which allows users to create custom emojis and Image Playground, enabling illustrations from text prompts, are expected in December as part of the next OS update. 

Additionally, Apple plans to launch Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides instant information about objects or places through the camera. 

Moreover, in contrast to competitors like Samsung and Google, which prioritize fast and broad AI rollouts, Apple’s gradual approach appears more conservative.

For example, Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite supports multiple languages and is available on devices from 2022 onward. Apple Intelligence, however, is currently limited to select regions and a single language. 

This slower rollout may lend Apple Intelligence a “premium” feel — one that’s reserved for newer devices and designed to offer a more controlled user experience.

The buzz and the backlash

Apple’s introduction of Apple Intelligence has sparked frustration as early adopters are finding the reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype.

To its credit, Apple has doubled down on security, offering a bounty of up to $1 million for anyone who can successfully hack into its AI servers. 

The bounty gives a nod to the broader community of white-hat hackers and security researchers who are key to uncovering vulnerabilities before they reach the public. But beyond the applause for security, the experience of accessing Apple Intelligence has left many users feeling let down. 

The rollout, which requires users to install the latest update only to join a waitlist, has been a common pain point, making the whole process feel like “a floating island of trash.”

Some users feel the result falls far short of the anticipated “AI revolution,” describing the update as “minor tweaks” rather than a transformative experience. 

Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” rollout feels like a letdown. After all the hype, users get minor tweaks instead of the AI revolution they were promised.https://t.co/ox7Jor9qOJ

— Nekole🇺🇲 (@NekoleUnknown) October 28, 2024

Comparisons have also been drawn to the early, rocky days of Apple Maps, when an undercooked launch led to widespread disappointment. 

I’ve been using Apple Intelligence in beta and am completely underwhelmed by it. Apple has failed miserably – same kind of failure as when they first launched Apple Maps. Apple’s days are numbered if they can’t pull their socks up fast.

— James A. Tidmarsh (@jtidmarsh) October 27, 2024

Users have urged Apple to “pull their socks up fast” to maintain customer trust and meet the high expectations of its dedicated community.

For users prioritizing privacy and simplicity over expansive AI functionality, this restrained approach may feel suitable. However, for those looking for a powerful AI experience right out of the box, Apple’s approach will likely require patience.