iPhone 16 Apple Intelligence features include a smarter Siri, AI-powered photo editing and more

• Apple Intelligence was in focus during iPhone 16 launch
• Apple Intelligence brings various features for iPhone users
• Apple's voice assistant, Siri, is much smarter now

Apple hosted its much-awaited “It’s Glowtime” event today (September 9) at Cupertino, California. During the event, we all witnessed the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup. But this time’s Apple event was not just about what’s on the outside, but it was also about what’s on the inside. The Cupertino-based tech giant also unveiled Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16. This makes the iPhone 16, the first ever iPhone to get AI superpowers.

In times when companies like OpenAI, Microsoft and Google are already focusing heavily on AI, Apple’s entry in the space was awaited for a long time.

Now, Apple’s iOS 18 is set to take user experience to new heights by introducing powerful AI-driven features under the banner of Apple Intelligence. For the unversed, Apple Intelligence will only be available for iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users. The features will be available as a free software update.

Let us take a look at what Apple Intelligence has to offer.

Smarter Text-Based Tools: Proofreading, summarising, and more

One of the most noticeable upgrades is AI tools designed to assist with text-based content. These include Proofread, Rewrite, and Summarise, which will be available across apps like Notes, Mail, and Messages. Whether you need to tidy up your grammar, generate a more polished version of a message, or summarise lengthy text, these tools will make managing written content simpler and more efficient.

In addition to smarter text tools, Notification Summary will use AI to group and summarise multiple notifications from various apps. Whether from native Apple apps or third-party services, this feature will give you a quick overview of what’s important, helping you stay focused without being overwhelmed by constant alerts.

In addition to this, keeping tracks of your emails will also get easier. Instead of seeing the first few sentences of an email, you will be able to summaries, helping you understand them and scan them better.

AI-Powered photo editing and more

The Photos app is also receiving some impressive upgrades, starting with the Clean-up feature. This tool will let you easily remove unwanted objects from the background of your images. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, the app will intelligently fill in the space left behind by the removed item, creating a seamless final picture.

Another exciting addition is Movie Memory, which will allow users to generate a short video from their existing photos and videos. You can simply describe the type of video you want, and the AI will create it for you, making it easier to turn memories into creative video clips.

Search in Photos: Easier access to your favourite moments

Searching for a specific picture will also get easier with Apple Intelligence. With Search in Photos, Apple Intelligence will be able to process your description and locate images that match what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a holiday snap or a specific moment, finding the right photo will be quicker and simpler.

Apple also announced that the feature would work for videos as well. In fact, you can search the exact moment in a video, just by typing.

Create custom emojis

Apple is also adding a fun new tool for those who love personalising their messages: Genmoji. This feature will let you create custom emojis directly from the keyboard in the Messages app. By describing the emoji you want, Apple Intelligence will generate multiple versions, giving you options to choose from before sending them in a chat.

Generate creative images

Another AI-powered tool that’s a part of the iPhone 16 is Image Playground, which will allow users to generate custom images based on a text prompt. This feature will be built into apps like Notes and will also have its own dedicated app, giving you even more creative control over the visuals on your device.

Siri gets smarter

With the help of Apple Intelligence, Siri has now gained enhanced natural language processing, enabling it to hold more human-like conversations. Siri now also offers deeper in-app control, allowing it to manage more complex requests with ease. Whether you need to organise files, find information, or perform detailed tasks, Siri will be even more capable of handling whatever you throw at it.

Moreover, Siri is now capable of tracking user interactions even when they falter in their speech, maintaining context across multiple requests. With its expanded product knowledge, Siri can also answer a wide range of questions about Apple device features and settings. Whether you need to know how to record your screen or share a Wi-Fi password, Siri has the answers at your fingertips.

Siri now also has on-screen awareness and has the ability to understand and interact with what’s displayed on your screen. For instance, if you receive a text from a friend with their new address, you can simply say, “Add this address to their contact card,” and Siri will handle the task for you.

In addition to this, Siri also features a sleek new design, seamlessly integrated into the system. It’s highlighted by a stylish, glowing light that encircles the edge of your screen.

ChatGPT is now a part of Apple ecosystem

ChatGPT’s integration with Apple made headlines when it was announced in June this year. And now, integrated directly into Siri, ChatGPT will assist with more advanced queries, giving you the option to dive deeper into topics or generate more detailed responses. Siri can utilise ChatGPT for various requests, such as inquiries about photos or documents, and you can use the Compose feature in Writing Tools to generate and create original content from the ground up.

You have control over when ChatGPT is used, and you will be prompted before any of your information is shared. While ChatGPT is available to everyone for free without needing an account, subscribers can link their accounts to access premium features within these applications.

Visual intelligence

Apple also unveiled a new feature called Visual Intelligence. This new feature attempts to redefine how we interact with the world around us using our iPhones.

Visual Intelligence is designed to provide instant information about anything you see, offering a new level of convenience and insight.

For example, you can take a picture of a restaurant, and Visual Intelligence will provide details about its hours and other pertinent information. Similarly, if you snap a photo of a flyer, the system will automatically capture key details such as the title, date, and location.

Visual Intelligence is also your gateway to third-party models. This means you could use it to search for a bike you spot in the street or get help with study notes by photographing them and receiving explanations or additional information.

Apple's Craig Federighi explained that the feature is activated through Camera Control, a new capacitive button now included on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. To use it, simply click and hold the button, then point your iPhone’s camera at an object or scene of interest.

Apple has not yet specified the exact release date for Visual Intelligence, but it is expected to roll out alongside the Camera Control feature later this year.