Craig Federighi Explains Phased Release of Apple Intelligence Features

Apple's head of software, Craig Federighi, has discussed the company's approach to introducing Apple Intelligence features, which will be rolled out in a multi-phase process over several months. The initial iOS 18.1 release will focus on basic features such as Writing Tools, notification summaries, and a Clean Up tool in Photos. Apple is taking a cautious approach to integrating AI into its devices to ensure each feature is released when it's ready. The company's approach differs from other large language models, which process user input on cloud servers, whereas Apple's processing occurs on-device with encrypted servers handling more intensive tasks. Federighi explained that Apple's personally oriented, privacy-first approach means Siri won't offer the same type of answers as ChatGPT. Several anticipated features showcased at WWDC in June won't appear until later updates, including iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.4. The most significant Siri enhancements are scheduled for iOS 18.4 around March 2025, including onscreen awareness and personal context for better understanding of user data. Apple is taking a measured approach to image manipulation, avoiding complex AI-generated alterations to ensure accurate information. The new Apple Intelligence features will be available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, as well as Apple silicon-powered iPads and Macs, when iOS 18.1 launches on October 28. Federighi emphasized that the rollout of Apple Intelligence features is a long-term process that will play out over many years and even decades.