Report: Apple to Delay Launch of AI Features in iOS

Facts

• A report from Bloomberg claims that Apple's new artificial intelligence (AI) features will have their release pushed back to October, meaning it will miss its planned inclusion in the upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 launches in September.^[1]
• The AI tools, known as Apple Intelligence, were announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this June. It purportedly will include text and image generation, a summary maker for web pages, and AI integration for its Siri virtual assistant.^[2]
• The report claims that the delay is needed to fix software issues and ensure the stability of the AI system. Apple estimates that the iPhone 16, which was meant to launch with Apple Intelligence, will ship at least 90M units.^[3]
• Apple Intelligence will only be available for the iPhone 15 Pro models and newer. Apple will reportedly grant developers access to the AI tools this week with the beta version of iOS 18.1.^[4]
• The full rollout of the Apple Intelligence suite is expected to conclude by 2025, with features such as the upgrades to Siri expected to arrive to devices after the initial launch. Apple Intelligence will also reportedly come to MacOS computers and the forthcoming Vision Pro headset.^[1]
• The reports of a delay come after Apple pushed back the launch of three AI features in response to European Union regulations ensuring that rival products access devices.^[2]

Sources: ^[1]Bloomberg, ^[2]FOX News, ^[3]Business Insider and ^[4]CNBC.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Washington Post. This delay will be of no real import to Apple's AI plans. The real secret of the success of the company is not their innovation or willingness to be early adopters, but their tireless work to take an existing idea and make it the best on the market. It would be worse if the company released Apple Intelligence in a half-baked state, as it's poised to perhaps dominate the consumer AI market.
• Narrative B, as provided by Ft. Apple is continuing to fall behind in the AI race, and this delay does not bode well for their prospects. While the company has showcased plenty of bells and whistles, questions remain as to whether or not their in-house AI models are any good, given that they are partnering with ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The iPhone maker has, for once, found itself behind the eight ball on AI.

Predictions