Apple has officially launched iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, marking a significant milestone in the company's foray into artificial intelligence. The update brings the first batch of Apple Intelligence features, initially announced at WWDC in June, to select Apple devices.

The new features, which include integrated writing tools, image cleanup, article summaries, and a typing input for the redesigned Siri experience, are powered by Apple's proprietary AI technology. Notably, these features are only available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, iPads with an A17 Pro chip or M1 and later, and Macs with an M1 or later.

To access the features, users will need to opt-in and join a waitlist, which Apple claims will only take a few hours to process. This unusual move is likely due to the remote server requirements for the large language model (LLM)-based offering.

What sets Apple's approach apart is its focus on small models trained on selective datasets, rather than the massive, black box approach employed by other AI players like ChatGPT. This approach enables more targeted and efficient AI capabilities.

The tech giant has also announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, currently available as developer betas, will bring additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, Image Wand, and ChatGPT integration. While no release date has been set for these updates, they are expected to further expand Apple's AI capabilities.

This development marks a significant step forward for Apple in the AI space, and is likely to have implications for the broader tech and startup ecosystem. As AI continues to transform industries and revolutionize the way we interact with technology, Apple's entry into the market is sure to be closely watched.