When Apple first introduced its Apple Intelligence AI initiative at WWDC, they hinted at a summer release on their Developer website. Originally stating that “Apple Intelligence will be available in an upcoming beta this summer,” the company later removed any indication of early access to the announced AI features through the iOS 18 Beta program.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is now planning to roll out Apple Intelligence through software updates expected in October. Sources shared with Gurman, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the AI features would be available a few weeks after the stable versions of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 are released in September.
Gurman also mentioned that developers can expect Apple Intelligence to start rolling out this week with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 Beta releases. However, the stable version of iOS 18 set for October could mean that early iPhone 16 units might ship without having Apple Intelligence pre-installed. Apple’s plan involves releasing Apple Intelligence through multiple software updates throughout late 2024 and the first half of 2025.
Apple seemed poised to introduce some Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18 Developer Beta 3, as discovered in the XCode simulator for iOS 18 Beta 3 where a new section titled Apple Intelligence & Siri appeared in the Settings app. However, this feature was removed from the actual Beta release by Apple. Additionally, some iPhone users running iOS 18 Developer Beta 3 noticed a new option on the virtual QWERTY keyboard labeled “Create New Emoji,” which was later removed from the revised build.
With Apple Intelligence, users will have the ability to create their own Emoji by describing exactly what they want it to look like. For example, envisioning a “T-Rex wearing a tutu on a surfboard.”
The excitement around new iOS 18 features like customizing app icons on the iPhone’s Home Screen, potential early access to Apple Intelligence, and the elimination of the $99 fee to become an Apple Developer has led more iPhone users to install the Developer Beta compared to the most recent stable version of iOS according to a recent poll.
