Apple confirms iPhone upgrade with 2 key new features is here in a few days

The next developer beta of iPhone software, iOS 18, is coming soon: Monday, June 24, to be exact. And, unusually, we have this release schedule from Apple itself, made in a statement that also talked about Apple Intelligence and the fact that it won’t be released in the EU this year. And now, new information has emerged about exactly why iOS 18’s biggest beast, Apple Intelligence, is only available on the newest iPhones, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as on devices with Apple M1 or newer chips.

Updated June 14 with new details about issues running Apple Intelligence on older iPhones.

ForbesApple warns that iPhone AI features will be delayed for millions of users until 2025By David Phélan

The usual path for Apple, as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman pointed out in his latest Power On newsletter, is for Apple’s latest features to work on “a wide range of existing hardware.” But only two current iPhones will handle Apple Intelligence. In an interview with Daring Fireball’s excellent John Gruber, Apple’s head of AI, John Giannandrea, said: “You could, in theory, run these models on a very old device, but it would be so slow that that wouldn’t be helpful. .”

Hmm. An Apple iPhone 15 isn’t exactly that old, but it appears that the processor and memory onboard the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are enough to run Apple Intelligence, even if the older ones can’t. not do it justice.

According to Mark Gurman again, this could depend on how Apple chose the processors to integrate into its latest models. “When the iPhone 14 line launched in 2022, Apple changed its processor strategy. Instead of giving the same chip to the Pro and non-Pro models, the company only integrated the new processor into the iPhone 14 Pro. This continued last year, with the iPhone 15 Pro getting the A17 Pro and standard iPhone 15 models retaining the A16 and less memory (six gigabytes versus 8 gigabytes). The tech giant determined internally a few months ago that 8 gigabytes was the minimum needed to run Apple Intelligence.

And perhaps the neural engine, the part of the chip that takes care of AI issues, poses fewer problems than expected. As Gurman says: “The size of the neural engine is actually a less important factor. This component is virtually the same on the M1 Macs and iPads, which support Apple Intelligence, as it is on the iPhone 13, 14 and 15, which do not. It’s almost entirely a matter of memory. That’s why Apple is increasing the memory of the standard iPhone 16 this fall: to support Intelligence and present it as a key selling point. Each version of the 16 series will support AI features.

While Apple Intelligence will be available in beta this summer in the United States, for example, it will arrive much later in some countries, such as the EU, according to the same Bloomberg newsletter. Gurman points out that Apple will refuse Apple Intelligence in the EU, “as well as iPhone mirroring and SharePlay screen sharing – because it is afraid of violating the new regulations. At issue is the Digital Markets Act, a law aimed at curbing Big Tech which came into force this year.”

Apple has cited interoperability requirements and for now, EU users will not benefit from iPhone mirroring and SharePlay screen sharing, discussed below. Gurman asks how consumers will react. “Will European customers put pressure on legislators if they don’t like not having the new features? While Apple has already made other changes to adapt to the new law, notably to its App Store, this year could be difficult for its relations with European regulators. Return to the software release calendar.

Apple almost never gives details on the release date, although the timing, two weeks after the first beta, is not surprising and is the usual cadence of beta releases at this point. Here’s what’s coming.

The statement was made by Apple to The Verge on Friday, June 21, as part of explaining why Apple Intelligence will be delayed in the EU due to the recent Digital Markets Act.

Apple has again said that Apple Intelligence will be available for beta testing this summer, for users whose language is American English and with the EU caveat. But this Monday’s update will include two key features.

Mirroring iPhone

It’s really cool. If your iPhone is in your bag, you can still use it on your Mac, for example, and interact with it as easily as if it were in your hand. iPhone notifications appear on the Mac and when you click one, the iPhone appears on your Mac screen.

You can then control it with your keyboard or the Mac’s trackpad, by swiping between home screens or interacting with apps. And you’ll be able to drag and drop files between devices, although that will come later.

SharePlay screen sharing

It’s also very interesting. It already exists in iPadOS 17 but is currently being upgraded. In the new iPadOS 18 version, you will be able to draw on your iPad screen and what you draw will appear on your friend’s device. This applies to iPhones because you can draw on their iPhone screen as well as their iPad screen. And, even cooler, you can request permission to remotely control their device. This is something I’ve wanted for a long time, especially to help friends or family members who aren’t sure how to do something on their Apple device.

Apple Intelligence won’t arrive on Monday, but will be with us this summer, and the public beta of new versions of the operating system will probably land in July.

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