iOS 18 Roadmap: All the Apple Intelligence features to expect

Apple's latest operating system for the iPhone, iOS 18 launched yesterday with amazing long-awaited features. iPhone users can now enjoy the same level of customization as Android users, with features like home screen personalization, message scheduling, and Safari control settings. But, the operating system will continue to evolve in the coming releases.

Sources say iOS 18.1 will include a range of enhancements and will be the first time we see Apple Intelligence fully in motion. Improvements will include an improved Siri with AI capabilities. In other words, it will be able to maintain context and provide more accurate and informative responses.

This update will also include new features to the iPhone like, writing tools, notification summaries, suggested replies, and more. Users will also benefit from the Clean Up tool, which allows them to remove unwanted elements from photos and fill in the background using generative AI.

Also, the ability to create personalized Memories movies by simply typing a description and the option to record and transcribe phone calls will be available. This first upgrade to the 18.1 is expected to be available by October 2024.

iOS 18.2 will introduce some other features highlighted at the unveiling, most of which people have been looking forward to. These are new features like Image Playground and Genmoji. Apple Intelligence will also be available to more countries in this update.

ChatGPT integration with Siri to provide users with informative responses to questions and prompts is also a major plus. But, you'll have to wait till sometime in December, possibly later.

iOS 18.3 should arrive early next year and this is when Apple might decide to take a breather and introduce some minor updates with limited new features.

iOS 18.4, expected to arrive in March 2025, may include further enhancements to Siri, such as personalized and contextual responses, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. Siri will control apps better and more directly, making it feel like an actual assistant and less like a bot responding to your random questions through your phone.

Apple Intelligence could also expand to support more languages in the iOS 18.4 update.

All in all, we might not be getting many Apple Intelligence upgrades just yet, but, if all goes well with Apple, by the new year, we should be able to have access to more than half of the Apple Intelligence promises made.

Until then, other companies like Google and Microsoft continue to improve Gemini and Copilot, further widening the gap between already available AI chatbots and Apple's soon-to-be-released AI.