Did you unwrap a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac this holiday season? Congratulations! With your new device, you’re ready to explore Apple Intelligence, Apple’s innovative AI-powered features designed to make your tech experience smarter and more seamless. Whether it’s the iPhone 16, the A17 Pro iPad Mini, or the M4 Mac Mini, Apple has equipped its devices with cutting-edge AI tools that are fun, functional, and ready to impress.
Below, we highlight the top 5 Apple Intelligence features you need to try today. With updates and new features rolling out regularly, these tools are just the beginning of your AI journey with Apple.
1. Genmoji: AI-Generated Emojis (iPhone and iPad)
(iOS 18.2 | iPadOS 18.2 Required)
What Is It?
Genmoji is Apple’s exciting take on AI-generated emojis. This tool lets you create custom emojis based on themes, objects, or even your own Photos library. Want an emoji of your dog on a surfboard? Or a festive Santa riding a skateboard? Genmoji has you covered.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for group chats or creative projects, Genmoji adds a personal touch to your conversations. It’s a blend of fun and utility that makes emoji customization intuitive and endless.
How to Use Genmoji
- Update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 18.2 or iPadOS 18.2.
- Open the Genmoji app or access it from the emoji keyboard.
- Choose a theme or photo-based design to create your unique emoji.
Note: Genmoji is currently unavailable on macOS but is expected to arrive in early 2025 with macOS Sequoia 15.3.
2. Writing Tools: Your AI-Powered Proofreader
(Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac)
What Is It?
Writing Tools offers built-in AI assistance for editing, rewriting, and proofreading text. Available across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, it integrates seamlessly into Apple’s ecosystem to refine your writing.
Key Features
- Instant grammar and style checks.
- Suggestions for concise and impactful writing.
- Available through context menus—just highlight text and select “Writing Tools.”
Best For
Students, professionals, and content creators who need polished, high-quality writing without hassle. Think of it as Apple’s answer to Grammarly but integrated across your Apple devices.
3. Clean Up: Photo Background Remover
(Integrated in the Photos App)
What Is It?
The Clean Up feature lets you remove unwanted background elements from your photos effortlessly. Whether it’s clutter, photo bombers, or messy wrapping paper, this tool ensures your shots look professional.
Why You’ll Love It
With its intuitive interface, Clean Up functions similarly to Google’s Magic Eraser but tailored to Apple’s ecosystem. It’s particularly useful for those who frequently use their iPhone as their primary camera.
Steps to Use Clean Up
- Open the Photos App and select an image.
- Tap “Edit” and choose the Clean Up tool.
- Highlight the unwanted area, and let Apple Intelligence do the rest.
4. Siri with ChatGPT Integration
(Revolutionized for iOS 18.2)
What Is It?
Apple’s Siri now includes ChatGPT integration, allowing for deeper, context-aware interactions. This enhancement transforms Siri into a smarter, more conversational assistant capable of tackling complex queries.
How It Works
- Ask Siri a question, and it will use OpenAI’s ChatGPT for an advanced response.
- Opt-in for Siri to send your queries directly to ChatGPT’s servers for more detailed answers.
Why It Matters
This upgrade positions Siri as a formidable AI assistant, bridging the gap between voice commands and complex AI-driven tasks.
Pro Tip: Siri’s capabilities will expand further in 2025, adding on-screen awareness and personalized context for even smarter responses.
5. Notification Summaries
(iOS, iPadOS, macOS Feature)
What Is It?
Notification summaries group and organize your notifications, offering an at-a-glance overview without the clutter of a full Notification Center.
The Pros
- Saves time by highlighting essential updates.
- Reduces notification overload while keeping you informed.
The Cons
Early users report occasional inaccuracies in summarizing messages, which can lead to miscommunication. However, this feature will likely improve with updates.
Tip: You can toggle Notification Summaries on/off in Settings if it doesn’t suit your preferences.
Bonus Feature: Visual Intelligence
(Exclusive to iPhone 16)
What Is It?
Visual Intelligence combines hardware and AI to analyze objects in your photos. With just a click of the Camera Control button, you can identify items and access relevant details using Google or ChatGPT.
Why You’ll Use It
From identifying plants to gathering product information, Visual Intelligence is a game-changer for instant, accurate insights.
A Bright Future for Apple Intelligence
As Apple continues to enhance its AI ecosystem, these features are just the start. Expect even more innovative tools in 2025 and beyond. For now, dive into these top 5 Apple Intelligence features and transform how you interact with your Apple devices.
FAQs on Apple Intelligence
| Feature | Compatibility | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Genmoji | iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 | Custom emoji creation |
| Writing Tools | iOS, iPadOS, macOS | Editing and proofreading text |
| Clean Up | iOS, iPadOS, macOS | Removing photo background noise |
| Siri with ChatGPT | iOS 18.2+ | Enhanced virtual assistant |
| Notification Summaries | All Apple devices | Streamlined notification review |
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