Testing Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 18.1

Apple has introduced a new "chapter of innovation" with its latest iOS 18 update, bringing exciting AI features aimed at enhancing the iPhone experience for users worldwide.

As a devoted iPhone user since the first generation in 2007, I often found myself envious of my friends with Android devices, who enjoyed advanced AI capabilities like photo editing and text summarization.

The recent launch of Apple Intelligence allowed me a sneak peek into these features, although iOS 18.1 only showcases a handful, with more set to come in December.

While the enhanced AI version of Siri is yet to be released, the current features are not fully integrated into the phone. For instance, Google's Gemini AI on Pixel phones can extract information from various apps, including email and YouTube.

Enhanced Focus Mode

One of the standout features I discovered is the upgraded 'Focus Mode', cleverly hidden in the settings. This option allows users to customize which notifications to receive and which to block, making it perfect for maintaining concentration during work hours.

The 'Reduce Interruptions' function is especially beneficial, as it filters the usual avalanche of notifications into a manageable trickle. It works efficiently, making my phone less distracting without completely silencing it.

Users can also tweak settings to prioritize notifications from certain contacts, like family or bosses, ensuring they don’t miss important messages. To activate this feature, navigate to the Control Center, select Focus, and choose Reduce Interruptions.

Photo Cleanup Tool

Another subtle but useful feature included in this update is the photo 'Clean Up' option, which allows users to remove unwanted elements from images. This function is user-friendly, enabling me to eliminate other children from a photo, focusing solely on my son during his birthday celebration.

While this tool is effective, it does fall short compared to the powerful editing capabilities found in Google’s Pixel devices, which allow for more extensive photo manipulation. Still, Apple is just beginning its AI journey, and this feature works better than expected, even if it lacks some flair.

Memory Movies in Photos

A delightful addition is the ability to create 'Memory Movies' using simple prompts like 'Christmas Day' or 'by the beach'. This generates enjoyable video collages with music and transitions that evoke fond memories.

While the technology behind this feature isn't groundbreaking—similar offerings exist on Android—Apple implements it smoothly, making it a charming addition to the Photos app.

Voice Recording and Summarization

The revamped voice recording feature in the Notes and Phone apps could prove invaluable for journalists. During calls and notes, the real-time transcriptions appear as people talk, offering a clean transcript that outperforms many competitive apps.

However, a drawback is that Notes does not save the audio alongside the transcript, limiting review options. When using the call recording feature, participants are notified that the conversation is being recorded. After the call, Apple Intelligence automatically generates both a transcript and summary.

Improved Mail Features

Apple's Mail app now incorporates smarts like Priority Messages and Smart Reply. However, it still lacks behind other email platforms in terms of functionality.

Although there are attempts to summarize email contents, the results often seem unusual and disconnected. For example, one generated summary mentioned a 'saucy line' needing reordering, while another incorrectly claimed a contact had failed their driving test.

Priority Messages attempts to highlight important emails, but like other systems, it occasionally misjudges what is significant, sometimes sorting automated notifications as priorities.

Interestingly, users on platforms like TikTok have shared their amusing experiences with odd summary outputs. One user, for instance, received a notification about a flooded house, which turned out to be a misinterpretation, as the situation was actually well-managed.

In conclusion, the new features in iOS 18.1, particularly the AI enhancements, showcase Apple's ongoing efforts to provide innovative tools to iPhone users. While some features may still need refining, it looks like a promising start for Apple's AI journey.

Apple, iOS, AI