Apple releases iOS 18.1, macOS 15.1 with Apple Intelligence

Today Apple released the first big updates for iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia which introduces the first round of promised Apple Intelligence features. Additional AI features will be arriving over the coming year. These updates also have a few other new features and many performance, bug, and security fixes.

Also released are tvOS 18.1, watchOS 11.1, HomePod 18.1, and visionOS 2.1, though those updates don't include any of the AI features.

The AI features are only available for Macs and iPads with an M-series chip and iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16/16Pro. While these are only some of the latest iPhones, they include Mac, iPad Pro, and iPad Air from the past four years, as well as the newly released 7th generation iPad Mini.

All Apple Intelligence features released today run on-device for your privacy. While other companies are focused on AI generation, Apple has focused on using AI to refine your existing content.

In addition to releasing updates for their current software, Apple also released updates for older software including:

• macOS Sonoma 14.7.1
• macOS Ventura 13.7.1
• iOS 17.7.1 and iPadOS 17.7.1

New features without Apple Intelligence

• Drag and drop files and photos between your Mac and iPhone in iPhone Mirroring
• Phone call recording and transcription
• Control Center gets new controls for WiFi, VPN, selfie camera, more, and an option to reset Control Center back to defaults
• Sleep Apnea Detection (Apple Watch Series 9, 10, or Ultra 2 required)
• Change your primary email for your Apple Account within the Settings app
• Low Power Mode toggle for macOS

Airpods Pro 2 features

There are a few new features coming to AirPods Pro 2. AirPod firmware updates automatically, so you should get these features within a few days.

• Hearing test will adapt audio to match your hearing at different frequencies
• After you take a hearing test, if it’s determined that you have hearing loss, your AirPods Pro 2 can operate as OTC hearing aids
• Enhanced hearing protection essentially turns your AirPods Pro 2 into smart ear plugs, reducing loud sounds at concerts and bars for example, without muddying the sound like foam ear plugs

Apple Intelligence features

• Notification summaries
• Email summaries instead of the first two lines
• Clean Up removes unwanted items from photos
• Photo Memory movie can be created by describing what you want
• Smart Replies in Messages and Mail
• Reduce Interruptions Focus mode
• Summarization of recorded phone calls
• Writing tools to touch up your writing
• Siri redesign with new graphics, you can type to Siri, and Siri is better at understanding you when you stumble over your words (the much more capable Siri is coming later)
• Ask Siri how to do things on your device (restart, turn on WiFi, delete an app, etc.)