Apple’s iOS 18.1 Update: AI-Powered Tools Redefine iPhone Experience
Apple unveils iOS 18.1, introducing AI-powered tools like Writing Tools and Clean Up, a revamped Siri, and more for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
Apple has just launched the highly-anticipated iOS 18.1 update, bringing a new suite of AI-powered tools, collectively known as Apple Intelligence, to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Unveiled during the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) but previously unavailable to the public, these tools include features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and personalization on Apple devices.
The update—also rolled out as iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1—offers cutting-edge tools like the Writing Tools, a “Clean Up” feature in Photos, and automated movie creation. These enhancements work seamlessly across the latest iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro models, as well as iPads powered by the A17 Pro or M1 chips, and Macs with M1 or newer processors.
Among the headline features, Writing Tools stands out for its ability to refine text by checking grammar, spelling, tone, and clarity. Users can adjust writing styles to appear more concise, friendly, or professional, and the tool can reformat text into tables or lists. Its reach extends across apps like Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, and even third-party platforms like WhatsApp, offering consistent AI support across various communication and productivity tasks.
The Photos app also received an impressive upgrade with the AI-driven Clean Up feature, which removes unwanted objects or people from photos with ease, allowing users to perfect their images with a tap. The app now boasts an automatic movie creation feature, “Memory Movie,” and an improved natural language search, making it easier to find specific images and videos using conversational phrases.
Additionally, Siri has received a refresh with a striking new look and added functionality. Now, users will see a glowing border around the screen when Siri is activated, creating a more immersive experience. A type-to-Siri feature has been introduced, while the voice assistant’s capabilities have expanded, enabling more complex device control and handling intricate user requests with greater ease. Another noteworthy addition is the new call recording feature in the Phone app, which saves both the audio and transcription directly to the Notes app.
Looking ahead, Apple hints at an even bigger leap with upcoming tools, like ChatGPT integration for Siri, as well as AI-powered features like Image Playground, Image Wand, Genmoji, and Visual Intelligence with Camera Control, all expected in a December release.
Also Read: Apple Unveils Smarter Siri with AI-Powered Features in iOS 18.1