Apple Intelligence has been introduced, yet like many AI integrations in smartphones so far, it seems somewhat underwhelming. The initial features of Apple Intelligence are similar to those familiar in other systems: visual indicators such as glowing gradients and sparkle icons signal AI presence, writing tools enhance email professionalism, and an AI eraser in Photos helps remove distractions. While all features are present and function adequately, they fall short of delivering the transformative, time-saving platform shift that has been anticipated.

There are essentially two facets to Apple Intelligence: the current features and those teased for future release. Even during the announcement, Apple highlighted features that are not yet available. Currently, the released tools share a theme of minimizing distractions and clarifying important information, although their practical effectiveness may vary.

Apple employs AI to organize notifications, helping users quickly catch up on missed activities. It allows summarization of long emails and utilizes a new focus mode to filter out superfluous distractions. However, after a week of usage, the overall time and energy saving effect seems minimal.

Within the Mail app, AI-generated summaries replace the first line of an email when viewing an inbox and can also summarize individual emails. This feature may underscore the declining relevance of email efficiency, as the subject line generally provides an adequate summary for most emails. While it may save time for individuals like Tim Cook who receive lengthy emails, many users might find these summaries redundant, particularly for routine emails soliciting donations.

Notification summaries offer some potential, humorously attempting to condense a series of miscellaneous messages or doorbell notifications. They have even proven useful by highlighting crucial information within a series of text messages from a friend that could have otherwise been overlooked.

In the Photos app, a new Clean Up tool is available among editing options. It is capable of removing objects from pictures swiftly, either by automatically highlighting targets or by user selection. This process runs on the device, requiring only a brief wait before the object disappears. Compared to Google’s earlier Magic Eraser tool in Google Photos, Apple’s Clean Up performs slightly better in some instances, though not significantly ahead of Google’s current generative AI-equipped Magic Editor. It is worth noting that both Apple’s and Google’s tools provide nearly similar results on older devices like the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 16.

Additionally, Siri has received an update. Though visually refreshed and offering a typing option, in essence, it remains similar to the previous version. It handles natural language with improved proficiency and includes broader product knowledge, but comprehensive enhancements are anticipated later. Major updates to Siri, including a ChatGPT extension, are projected by the end of the year, with context-awareness and app-interaction capabilities slated for 2025.

Other features, such as AI-generated photo memories and smart replies, function as intended but often lack a human element. Users may find themselves opting to craft personal responses rather than sending AI-suggested messages that, while accurate, seem impersonal. Similarly, when Photos create memories, it can produce generic titles like “Joyous Moments with Child,” which may not resonate emotionally.

Apple appears to be catching up in the AI space. Criticism of Apple Intelligence does not necessarily imply that other brands offer superior solutions, as AI features across devices have varying levels of effectiveness. Apple’s focus may be on future AI capabilities, promising more advanced features over the coming year. The branding “Built for Apple Intelligence” on new Apple products sets high expectations which current features may not yet fulfill. Although Apple’s entry into AI may seem delayed, ongoing developments suggest potential for significant innovations in the near future.

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