Apple delays much-touted AI features until after first iPhone, iPad upgrades: report

Apple’s new artificial intelligence features are coming later than expected and will miss the initial launch of upcoming software updates for the iPhone and iPad, Bloomberg News reported Sunday.

The iPhone maker plans to roll out Apple Intelligence to customers as part of software updates coming in October, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter. AI features will arrive a few weeks after the initial iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 releases scheduled for September, Bloomberg said.


Apple CEO Tim Cook in a blue shirt delivers a speech at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, highlighting the integration of AI into Apple's future plans.
Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered a speech at the opening of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Getty Images

Apple plans to make Apple Intelligence available to software developers for early testing through the beta versions of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 for the first time this week, the report said.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.


Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is only available for specific Apple devices. NurPhoto via Getty Images

In June, Apple underscored its AI efforts with a series of new features and software enhancements for iPhone and other devices aimed at boosting flagging sales.

Apple Intelligence, which uses AI to generate text, images and other content on command, is said to be coming to iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with the M1 chip and later. iPhone Mirroring on macOS Sequoia will allow the phone’s screen to be viewed and interacted with on Mac computers.

The report came after Apple delayed the launch of three new artificial intelligence features in late June, citing groundbreaking European Union technical rules that require the company to ensure that competing products and services can work with its devices.