At WWDC 2024, Apple took the stage to reveal an array of GenAI features for its devices. The list included Writing Tools and Image Playground, among others, that will change the way people use their iPhones forever. However, companies like Google and Samsung have already rolled out a bunch of AI-based features for their smartphones. Given that Apple is late in equipping its devices with GenAI features, it would make sense to rush the rollout and make all devices as capable as the competition’s, right?
Apple Intelligence Won’t Roll Out Entirely Until 2025
It would make sense from a consumer’s point of view, for sure, but Apple thinks differently. Yes, the company has showcased the new features at WWDC, but according to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple Intelligence service “won’t become available for developers to try out until later this summer.” In other words, the features won’t be a part of the first iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia beta versions.
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Users Might Have To Join A Waitlist For Certain GenAI Features
As and when Apple Intelligence arrives on compatible devices, “it will arrive as a preview,” implying that the features won’t be available at their full capacity and not for all Apple users. For instance, they will only be available in American English, at least in the near future. “In some cases, users may even have to join a waitlist” to use the GenAI features. While Apple unveiled quite a lot of them at the WWDC, Gurman believes that those features won’t all arrive in 2024.
Some of the Apple Intelligence services, which require heavy resources, might be available in the first half of 2025. This is perhaps the first time the company hasn’t released a strict timeline for when the latest technology will be available to users. While the report talks about the advantages of a staggered release approach first, we’d like to begin with the disadvantages of the same, explaining why a delayed launch could drive customers toward other brands, where they are getting more value for their money.
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Is A Delay In Apple Intelligence’s Rollout Good For The Company?
Let’s understand this with the help of an example. Suppose you’re a customer with a budget of Rs. 1,50,000, looking for the best smartphone that your money can buy. Hardware specifications aside, you also want the latest GenAI features from the handset, which isn’t a stretched ask in 2024. In such a scenario, which company’s product will you purchase? One that hasn’t released all the AI features in its arsenal and isn’t committing a time for the same, or a company that has already launched a dozen AI features for its smartphones, all of which are available in full capacity?
Which iPhones Won’t Support Apple Intelligence?
The delay in the launch of Apple Intelligence could drive a significant number of customers away from the company. Further, the GenAI features’ unavailability on most Apple devices could compel customers to look for other options. According to recent reports, only the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max can handle the Apple Intelligence features in the current lineup. This means that all other models, including the new iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, and older, won’t get a taste of the new GenAI features.
Here Are Four Reasons Behind Apple’s Slow Roll Out Approach
That said, Gurman believes that the delayed approach could have a couple of benefits.
- First, the company could delegate a team for certain features, roll those out, and reassign the team to another set of features, saving resources spent on the workforce.
- By starting with American English, the company gets more time to train the AI models in other languages.
- Further, it will give the company time to set up a massive cloud infrastructure that can’t handle too many users trying the new features simultaneously.
- Last but not least, starting with a smaller user base will limit the potential misuse of the GenAI features. Yes, it will give Apple time to implement the required safeguards, but it won’t entirely eliminate the threat.
What Does The First iOS 18 Beta Include?
As mentioned in the report, the first iOS 18 beta includes the following features.
- Transcribing voice recordings
- Improved voicemail transcriptions
- Automatic calculations for typed-out math equations (the Math Notes features Apple talked about)
Other features like prioritizing notifications and giving a quick recap of alerts/text messages, summarizing webpages and emails, new writing tools, and improved Siri won’t be available in the first iOS 18 beta. “Several employees involved in Apple Intellgence’s development have told Power On that a subset of the service won’t launch until next year.”
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