Apple’s much-anticipated iOS 18.1 update is on the horizon, bringing with it the first glimpse of Apple Intelligence. However, while some of these advanced AI features are set to arrive soon, many others will be rolling out at a later date. Here’s a closer look at what’s not included in iOS 18.1 and when you can expect these features to arrive.
Image Playground: The Creative AI Tool to Watch
One of the most exciting Apple Intelligence features is Image Playground, but don’t get too eager just yet — it’s not part of iOS 18.1. This standalone app promises to revolutionize how users interact with images by allowing you to generate creative, cartoon-style illustrations based on any phrase you type in.
While Image Playground is delayed, it will eventually be integrated into apps like Messages and Notes, letting users generate fun images inspired by their written content or even real-life friends and contacts. However, Apple is keeping things in a non-realistic, cartoon style, ensuring that no one mistakes these AI-generated creations for real photos.
Image Playground will debut in iOS 18.2, expected by the end of 2024, making it a key feature to watch in future updates.
Genmoji: Next-Level Emoji Customization
Another feature Apple fans will have to wait for is Genmoji, a game-changing AI tool that lets users create their own emojis. As of now, iOS users are limited to the emoji characters approved by the Unicode Consortium. But with Genmoji, the possibilities will expand exponentially, allowing you to design whatever emoji your imagination conjures up — from a dog eating pancakes to an alligator skateboarding.
Much like Image Playground, Genmoji will use photos of your friends as inspiration, but those without iOS 18 won’t be able to see your custom emojis correctly.
Keep an eye out for Genmoji in iOS 18.2.
Image Wand: Enhancing Notes with AI
The Image Wand is another innovative feature tied to Image Playground, offering users the ability to insert AI-generated images into their Notes. Using context from the note itself, the Image Wand will whip up illustrations to accompany your written content, making note-taking far more dynamic and engaging.
This tool will be especially powerful on the iPad, allowing users to draw rough sketches and then have Image Wand refine them into polished graphics. However, this too will have to wait for a future release.
Advanced Siri Capabilities: Patience Required
While Siri is getting some upgrades in iOS 18.1 — such as a fresh glow effect around the edges of your screen — the more advanced AI features won’t arrive until later. These include onscreen awareness, personal context, and cross-app actions that will take Siri to a whole new level.
With onscreen awareness, Siri will understand what’s on your display and act accordingly. Imagine asking Siri to “Send this picture to Eric” while looking at a photo, and having it done seamlessly. This level of intuitive interaction will make the virtual assistant smarter and more responsive than ever before.
Meanwhile, personal context will allow Siri to learn from your personal data, such as emails and messages, making the assistant even more personalized and helpful. It’ll understand who you’re talking to and what information you’re looking for, enhancing your entire digital experience.
Lastly, Siri’s upcoming ability to control actions across different apps, even third-party ones, will be a game-changer for multitasking and app management.
Unfortunately, none of these features will be available until iOS 18.2, with the bulk of Siri’s Apple Intelligence capabilities not arriving until iOS 18.4, likely around March 2025.
ChatGPT Integration: Siri’s New Partner in AI
Another exciting feature in the works is ChatGPT integration. This will allow Siri to hand off more complex queries to OpenAI’s powerful language model, giving users access to even more advanced conversational capabilities. Although highly anticipated, this feature won’t be available until iOS 18.2.
Priority Notifications and Smarter Mail: Streamlining Your Day
Coming in iOS 18.1, users will finally see the addition of Priority Notifications. These notifications will appear at the top of your stack, ensuring that you can quickly address what’s most important. It’s a small but impactful change, offering a more streamlined experience.
Meanwhile, the Mail app is getting smarter, too. It will begin automatically sorting incoming messages into categories, such as newsletters and purchase emails, making inbox management a breeze.
Future Rollouts and Language Support
As of now, Apple Intelligence is available in U.S. English only. However, Apple has confirmed that support for additional languages is on the way. With these rollouts expected in 2025, users worldwide will soon be able to experience these advanced features in their native languages.
When Can We Expect the Rest?
While iOS 18.1 will land on October 28, 2024, bringing some features like Priority Notifications and minor Siri updates, the more exciting AI-driven tools — like Image Playground, Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration — won’t appear until iOS 18.2 and beyond.
Here’s the anticipated timeline for future releases:
- iOS 18.2 (End of 2024): Image Playground, Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration.
- iOS 18.3 (January 2025): Possible additional Siri enhancements.
- iOS 18.4 (March 2025): The bulk of Siri’s Apple Intelligence features, plus more language support.
The upcoming updates promise to be worth the wait, as Apple continues to refine and expand its AI features. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the Apple ecosystem!
For all the latest on what iOS 18.1 will actually bring, don’t miss our comprehensive guide on the features you can expect to see right out of the gate.
