Apple’s New AI Suite: A Mixed Bag of Features #

Apple is set to release its new artificial intelligence suite, Apple Intelligence, through free software updates for select iPhones, Macs, and iPads. This initial beta version includes an improved Siri, text summarization tools, audio transcription capabilities, and photo editing features.

The release marks the beginning of a new era for Apple, following a major restructuring of the company. Apple Intelligence is the result of shifting resources from other projects, including the discontinued self-driving car initiative.

While some highly anticipated features are not included in this initial release, the company plans to gradually roll out additional capabilities through next year.

Useful Features #

Audio Transcription #

The voice memos app now automatically produces transcripts alongside audio recordings. This feature performs well, detecting speaker changes and creating new paragraphs accordingly. While it may struggle with mumbled words, it generally provides accurate and easily searchable transcripts.

Improved Siri Navigation Assistance #

Siri can now offer help with navigating Apple products, providing instructions for complex features that users might find difficult to locate.

Writing Tools #

Apple Intelligence includes writing tools to edit text and generate canned email responses. The proofreading feature can quickly insert missing punctuation and make minor edits.

Features to Skip #

Photo Editing #

The “Clean Up” tool, designed to remove distractions from photos, produces disappointing results. Attempts to remove background elements often result in distorted or unrealistic replacements.

Text Summarization #

The summarization feature, available in various applications, produces mixed results. It can sometimes provide inaccurate information or fail to capture the essence of longer texts.

Conclusion #

Apple Intelligence shows promise but is currently a work in progress. While some features like audio transcription and writing tools prove useful, others like photo editing and text summarization need significant improvement. Users should approach this initial release with tempered expectations and watch for future updates that may enhance its capabilities.