Here's how to get it on your iPhone

Apple On Monday, iOS 18.1, an update that brings the company's artificial intelligence called Apple Intelligence, was released for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro. Apple Intelligence also released software updates for iPad and Mac.

The release is a key milestone for Apple, which is relying on the launch of the feature to fuel its marketing campaign for the iPhone 16 range released last month.

It's also Apple's answer to Wall Street's questions about its AI strategy. Apple has taken a different path with its device-based AI than its mega-competitors, which focus on cloud-based AI systems that run on billions of dollars Nvidia Chips.

Apple Intelligence is limited to launch. The first wave of Apple Intelligence features includes writing tools that can proofread or rewrite text, new features that can remove objects from photos, and a feature that can combine a batch of notifications into a single message.

Monday's release includes improvements to Siri, including a new look that makes the entire screen glow at the edges of the phone. Siri can answer questions about Apple products, including troubleshooting questions, and has a more natural voice.

However, the update does not allow Siri to perform actions within apps, which is expected in another update next year. Additionally, another update with ChatGPT integration and image generation capabilities is planned for later this year as part of iOS 18.2.

Some investors believe Apple Intelligence could drive a major upgrade cycle and solidify Apple as a leader in everyday use of cutting-edge AI.

“Given the staggered rollout of Apple Intelligence, we expect iPhone demand to pick up following the initial release of Apple Intelligence in late October,” Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote in an Oct. 25 note.

You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model to install and use Apple Intelligence. The service primarily uses the iPhone's chip, which is why it doesn't work on earlier phones, but some more complicated requests are handled by Apple's servers.

You'll also need to enable it by asking for access to Apple Intelligence in the Settings app. This puts users on a waiting list. Apple hasn't said how long the wait will be, but during beta testing over the summer, users typically got access the same day. Your phone then downloads large files – Apple's AI models – that Apple Intelligence needs to operate.

The most outstanding feature of Apple Intelligence is the ability to summarize notifications. Instead of the typical notification stack on previous iPhone interfaces, Apple combines an entire stack into a single notification. It wasn't perfect, but it can be useful for turning 12 market alerts from CNBC or a long conversation in a group chat into something that's easy to digest.

Another big change that users will quickly notice is that Siri features a new text interface, accessible by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, which allows users to question Siri without speaking out loud.

Apple's writing tools also appear anywhere in the operating system where you can enter text, even in non-Apple apps. Users can highlight parts of text and rewrite them in a more “friendly,” “professional,” or “concise” style. However, Apple's writing tools don't generate entire paragraphs without input.

The software suite also includes updates to Apple's Mail and Photos apps. The Photos app now has smarter search that understands natural language. A short movie can also be created from a user's photos.

To download iOS 18.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update. To sign up for the Apple Intelligence waitlist, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri > Join the Apple Waitlist.