Apple Intelligence so far: were promises kept?

The video humorously critiques Apple’s new AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, introduced with the iPhone 16, highlighting that while some tools like summarization and image generation show promise, they often fall short of expectations and can be flawed. Users find the overall experience underwhelming and question the true effectiveness of Siri and the AI capabilities, leaving them uncertain about the value of these features.

In September, Apple launched the iPhone 16, heavily promoting its new feature, Apple Intelligence. However, after a few months of use, many users are questioning whether the AI features truly live up to the hype. The video humorously explores this question, particularly focusing on the effectiveness of Siri and the various AI tools Apple has introduced. Initial impressions suggest that while there are some useful features, the overall experience may not be as revolutionary as anticipated.

Apple Intelligence can be categorized into two main areas: creation tools and information processing tools. The creation tools include writing aids that help with tasks like summarizing notes or changing the tone of text. While some users find these features somewhat cumbersome, the summarization tool, especially when paired with voice transcription, has received positive feedback. Additionally, Apple’s Image Playground allows users to generate images based on prompts, but the novelty of these tools may wear off quickly, and the results can sometimes be amusingly flawed.

On the information processing side, Apple Intelligence offers features like notification summaries, which condense multiple alerts into a single overview. While this can be helpful, there have been instances where the AI misinterpreted information, leading to humorous or concerning results. Siri has also seen some updates, including a new glowing border and improved natural language understanding, but it largely remains the same as before, with the added capability of querying ChatGPT for complex questions.

The integration of ChatGPT into Siri and visual intelligence features allows users to obtain information about their surroundings or ask for recipe suggestions based on available ingredients. However, the AI can still make mistakes, leading to inaccuracies in responses. Overall, while these features are interesting, many users find them forgettable and not particularly groundbreaking, raising doubts about the true intelligence of the iPhone 16.

Looking ahead, Apple has plans to roll out additional features that could enhance the functionality of Siri and Apple Intelligence. One notable update is the introduction of App Intents, which would allow Siri to perform actions across different apps, potentially making it a more effective assistant. However, these updates are not expected until spring at the earliest. Currently, Apple Intelligence feels like a collection of unconnected features, leaving users uncertain about its overall value and effectiveness.