Apple Intelligence to Release on October 28 With iOS 18.1 Update, but Not in India

Apple could begin rolling out its much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features alongside iOS 18.1 on October 28. However, as expected, India has been excluded from this initial rollout, leaving millions of Apple users waiting to access these AI capabilities.

According to a recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple had initially planned to launch the update by mid-October but pushed the date back to ensure a stable and bug-free release. The Cupertino giant is also preparing its private cloud computing servers for the expected surge in AI traffic from millions of devices worldwide.

The iOS 18.1 update will introduce AI-powered features to eligible devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Among the initial offerings are enhanced writing tools for rewriting, summarizing, and proofreading text, a revamped Siri user interface, and notification summaries for various apps, including Messages and Mail. Additionally, a new "Clean Up" tool in the Photos app will leverage generative AI to remove unwanted elements from images.

Apple's staged rollout plan doesn't stop with iOS 18.1. The company has outlined a roadmap for introducing more advanced AI features in subsequent updates. iOS 18.2, expected in December, will bring ChatGPT integration, an Image Playground feature, and Genmoji for custom emoji creation. A comprehensive overhaul of Siri, promising more precise app control and personalized responses, is slated for early 2025.

The exclusion of India from the initial launch has raised questions for Indian Apple enthusiasts, particularly those who recently purchased devices from the iPhone 16 series. These devices, designed with AI capabilities in mind, will temporarily lack their flagship feature.

Apple has not provided specific reasons for this decision, but it could be due to potential regulatory challenges or infrastructure concerns unique to the Indian market.

The entry-level iPhone 16, starting at Rs 79,900 in India, will eventually become the most affordable iPhone eligible for Apple Intelligence once the update reaches the country. Last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will also gain access to these AI features. Additionally, iPads and Macs featuring any M series Apple Silicon chip will be compatible with Apple Intelligence.

Meanwhile, Indian users are left wondering when they'll be able to join the AI revolution that Apple is promising to deliver to the rest of the world.