Tag Archives: Software

This AI Tool Directly Generates Laser Cutting and CNC Project Files: Meet DesignFind AIMake

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For long, AI tools have just been limited to graphical work, with not so much of it spilling into tangible industrial design. Sure, you could create logos and artwork for your products, but you still can’t “create” products using AI – something that xTool is hoping to change with its new software, AIMake. Simply put, AIMake is a GenAI tool that’s optimized for working with graphical output, but in a manner that’s fine-tuned for industrial design. With a prompt-based interface, AIMake allows you to create artwork that’s ready for 2D printing, laser-etching/engraving, and even embossing. AIMake offers as many as 70 different styles to apply to your prompt, generating everything from ready-to-print logos, to editable SVGs for screen-printing, and even low-relief 3D engraving. Alongside the AIMake feature, xTool’s also unveiling DesignFind – an asset marketplace for DIY enthusiasts and professional creators to access free and paid project files from users across the globe.

Click Here to Know More

Generate Ready-To-Use Artwork for Laser Cutting and Screen Printing

Traditionally, preparing files for laser engraving or screen printing can be complex and technical, involving vector graphic software, high-res images, or detailed edits to achieve the clean lines and solid contrast needed for these processes. AIMake addresses this by letting users skip these steps; with it, designers can input descriptive prompts, such as “geometric fox engraving with high contrast,” and watch as the AI turns this concept into a polished, ready-to-engrave file.

This direct-to-laser capability is a shift for designers, providing an AI tool that reduces reliance on graphic software or tedious vector adjustments. Instead, AIMake generates crisp, high-contrast designs that integrate seamlessly with xTool’s laser engravers, ensuring that the visual quality aligns with what’s needed for physical production. Whether creating art for metal, wood, or glass, AIMake optimizes the image for the specific demands of laser engraving, relief carving, and screen printing.

From Vision to Reality with Prompt-Based Design

AIMake’s intuitive, prompt-based design system is key to its simplicity. Users enter a text description—anything from detailed portrait specs to broad aesthetic concepts—and the app’s AI engine generates a corresponding laser-compatible design. This means users can focus on creativity and concept rather than technical adjustments, using AIMake’s AI to refine the design automatically.

With this setup, designers of all backgrounds can produce intricate laser-cut images without needing advanced skills in vector graphics. For example, a prompt like “portrait of a lion, full mane, high detail, silhouette” can create a design with defined, laser-friendly lines and strong contrast, ready for immediate use in xTool’s compatible engravers. This system combines the efficiency of digital AI rendering with the tactile quality of handmade engraving, which helps streamline the creative workflow for designers and hobbyists alike.

Intuitive Controls make AI Creation easy for Beginners and Experts

xTool designed AIMake with both ease of use and versatility in mind, giving beginners and seasoned pros the tools they need for success. The platform allows new users to select from pre-set styles, such as vector templates or laser-friendly text effects, while offering advanced controls for adjusting details like line thickness and contrast.

Integration with xTool hardware, such as the D1 and M1 laser engravers, enables immediate testing and adjustments on physical materials, which saves time and minimizes material waste. For the designer seeking to perfect a project, these tools and settings remove the usual trial and error often required by other engraving software. This integration also lets users work on complex designs with the assurance that their final piece will match the original vision.

DesignFind: A Creative Hub for DIY and Professional Makers

DesignFind is a versatile platform for DIY enthusiasts and professional creators alike, offering a wide array of design assets for laser cutting, engraving, and more. With support for materials like wood and acrylic, users can explore diverse project categories, from home decor and jewelry to seasonal gifts for holidays and special occasions.

Key features include a library of free, shared templates—such as cutting boards and multi-layered designs—and premium assets like 3D models and detailed SVG files. Additionally, AIMake users can enhance their projects with DesignFind’s resources, making it easy to combine AI-generated designs with the platform’s extensive community assets. The “Featured Creators” section showcases work from top designers, inspiring new and seasoned creators with unique, ready-to-use projects.

Practical Applications Across Different Industries

AIMake’s functionality extends beyond personal design and has practical applications across various industries. Designers working with an array of fabrication devices (especially ones from xTool) can use AIMake to create logos, product designs, or custom merchandise. Small businesses can use it to create professional, engraving-ready designs without needing graphic design software, and crafters can generate unique pieces with ease.

In education, AIMake is a valuable asset, offering schools and makerspaces a chance to introduce students to digital design with hands-on projects. By using simple text inputs, students can quickly visualize and produce projects without needing prior experience in traditional graphic design tools. This flexibility gives learners and instructors alike more freedom to explore digital fabrication.

AIMake and the Future of Design Tools

AIMake sets a new standard for GenAI in tangible product design, showing how generative AI can seamlessly enhance the design process, making it more accessible, practical, and enjoyable. As AI technology continues to evolve, tools like AIMake represent a future where design creation is faster yet well within the control of creators.

For anyone working in creative design, AIMake offers an engaging blend of functionality and innovation, serving as both a creative assistant and a precision tool. Whether you’re producing intricate artwork, branding assets, or custom goods, AIMake’s versatile platform offers a little something for everyone. With AIMake, xTool is opening new pathways for artists and designers—one prompt at a time.

Click Here to Know More

The post This AI Tool Directly Generates Laser Cutting and CNC Project Files: Meet DesignFind AIMake first appeared on Yanko Design.

This AI Tool Directly Generates Laser Cutting and CNC Project Files: Meet DesignFind AIMake

Posted on by

For long, AI tools have just been limited to graphical work, with not so much of it spilling into tangible industrial design. Sure, you could create logos and artwork for your products, but you still can’t “create” products using AI – something that xTool is hoping to change with its new software, AIMake. Simply put, AIMake is a GenAI tool that’s optimized for working with graphical output, but in a manner that’s fine-tuned for industrial design. With a prompt-based interface, AIMake allows you to create artwork that’s ready for 2D printing, laser-etching/engraving, and even embossing. AIMake offers as many as 70 different styles to apply to your prompt, generating everything from ready-to-print logos, to editable SVGs for screen-printing, and even low-relief 3D engraving. Alongside the AIMake feature, xTool’s also unveiling DesignFind – an asset marketplace for DIY enthusiasts and professional creators to access free and paid project files from users across the globe.

Click Here to Know More

Generate Ready-To-Use Artwork for Laser Cutting and Screen Printing

Traditionally, preparing files for laser engraving or screen printing can be complex and technical, involving vector graphic software, high-res images, or detailed edits to achieve the clean lines and solid contrast needed for these processes. AIMake addresses this by letting users skip these steps; with it, designers can input descriptive prompts, such as “geometric fox engraving with high contrast,” and watch as the AI turns this concept into a polished, ready-to-engrave file.

This direct-to-laser capability is a shift for designers, providing an AI tool that reduces reliance on graphic software or tedious vector adjustments. Instead, AIMake generates crisp, high-contrast designs that integrate seamlessly with xTool’s laser engravers, ensuring that the visual quality aligns with what’s needed for physical production. Whether creating art for metal, wood, or glass, AIMake optimizes the image for the specific demands of laser engraving, relief carving, and screen printing.

From Vision to Reality with Prompt-Based Design

AIMake’s intuitive, prompt-based design system is key to its simplicity. Users enter a text description—anything from detailed portrait specs to broad aesthetic concepts—and the app’s AI engine generates a corresponding laser-compatible design. This means users can focus on creativity and concept rather than technical adjustments, using AIMake’s AI to refine the design automatically.

With this setup, designers of all backgrounds can produce intricate laser-cut images without needing advanced skills in vector graphics. For example, a prompt like “portrait of a lion, full mane, high detail, silhouette” can create a design with defined, laser-friendly lines and strong contrast, ready for immediate use in xTool’s compatible engravers. This system combines the efficiency of digital AI rendering with the tactile quality of handmade engraving, which helps streamline the creative workflow for designers and hobbyists alike.

Intuitive Controls make AI Creation easy for Beginners and Experts

xTool designed AIMake with both ease of use and versatility in mind, giving beginners and seasoned pros the tools they need for success. The platform allows new users to select from pre-set styles, such as vector templates or laser-friendly text effects, while offering advanced controls for adjusting details like line thickness and contrast.

Integration with xTool hardware, such as the D1 and M1 laser engravers, enables immediate testing and adjustments on physical materials, which saves time and minimizes material waste. For the designer seeking to perfect a project, these tools and settings remove the usual trial and error often required by other engraving software. This integration also lets users work on complex designs with the assurance that their final piece will match the original vision.

DesignFind: A Creative Hub for DIY and Professional Makers

DesignFind is a versatile platform for DIY enthusiasts and professional creators alike, offering a wide array of design assets for laser cutting, engraving, and more. With support for materials like wood and acrylic, users can explore diverse project categories, from home decor and jewelry to seasonal gifts for holidays and special occasions.

Key features include a library of free, shared templates—such as cutting boards and multi-layered designs—and premium assets like 3D models and detailed SVG files. Additionally, AIMake users can enhance their projects with DesignFind’s resources, making it easy to combine AI-generated designs with the platform’s extensive community assets. The “Featured Creators” section showcases work from top designers, inspiring new and seasoned creators with unique, ready-to-use projects.

Practical Applications Across Different Industries

AIMake’s functionality extends beyond personal design and has practical applications across various industries. Designers working with an array of fabrication devices (especially ones from xTool) can use AIMake to create logos, product designs, or custom merchandise. Small businesses can use it to create professional, engraving-ready designs without needing graphic design software, and crafters can generate unique pieces with ease.

In education, AIMake is a valuable asset, offering schools and makerspaces a chance to introduce students to digital design with hands-on projects. By using simple text inputs, students can quickly visualize and produce projects without needing prior experience in traditional graphic design tools. This flexibility gives learners and instructors alike more freedom to explore digital fabrication.

AIMake and the Future of Design Tools

AIMake sets a new standard for GenAI in tangible product design, showing how generative AI can seamlessly enhance the design process, making it more accessible, practical, and enjoyable. As AI technology continues to evolve, tools like AIMake represent a future where design creation is faster yet well within the control of creators.

For anyone working in creative design, AIMake offers an engaging blend of functionality and innovation, serving as both a creative assistant and a precision tool. Whether you’re producing intricate artwork, branding assets, or custom goods, AIMake’s versatile platform offers a little something for everyone. With AIMake, xTool is opening new pathways for artists and designers—one prompt at a time.

Click Here to Know More

The post This AI Tool Directly Generates Laser Cutting and CNC Project Files: Meet DesignFind AIMake first appeared on Yanko Design.

Proton brings its VPN to Apple TV with new app

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Proton announced the debut of an Apple TV app for its virtual private network. The new app, which was "among the most requested features from our community," according to the company's blog post, is available for download from the App Store on any Apple TV. It will allow customers with a paid Proton VPN plan to stream their media content from any location on Apple's set-top box.

Proton VPN was our favorite when we reviewed it in 2023, and it's still our top pick this year for a virtual private network. The service boasts excellent features for security, privacy and usability. Our only real complaint was that the free tier comes with a lot of limitations. But if you're interested in the company's platform, Proton is currently running an early Black Friday deal where you can snag one or two year plans at a steep discount.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/proton-brings-its-vpn-to-apple-tv-with-new-app-204549019.html?src=rss

Google CEO says a quarter of the company’s new code is already AI generated

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Google CEO Sundar Pichai just revealed that AI now generates more than a quarter of new code for its products, according to a company earnings call transcribed by Ars Technica. In other words, AI tools are already having an absolutely mammoth impact on the development of software.

Pichai did say that human programmers oversee the computer-generated code, which is something. The CEO noted that AI coding helps with “boosting productivity and efficiency," ensuring that engineers “do more and move faster.”

There’s no two ways around it. 25 percent is a lot, and Google is just one company relying on AI algorithms to perform complex coding tasks. According to Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey, over 75 percent of respondents are already using or are “planning to use” AI tools to assist with software development. Another survey by GitHub indicated that 92 percent of US-based developers are currently using AI coding tools.

This leads us to the rampaging elephant in the room. As AI continues to gobble up coding tasks, human experience starts to dwindle. This could eventually lead to a decreased knowledge base in which humans don’t know how to fix errors created by AI algorithms that were, in turn, created by other AI algorithms. We could be staring down an ouroboros of confusion where it’s nearly impossible to detect bugs amidst generations of AI code. Fun times!

We aren’t quite there yet, but AI-assisted coding shows no signs of slowing down. The process started its meteoric rise back in 2022 when GitHub widely launched its Copilot program. Since then, companies like Anthropic, Meta, Google and OpenAI have all released AI-coding software suites. GitHub recently announced that Copilot can now be used with models from Anthropic and Google, in addition to OpenAI.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-ceo-says-a-quarter-of-the-companys-new-code-is-already-ai-generated-180038896.html?src=rss

Vizio just announced a soundbar that doubles as a karaoke machine

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It’s easy to give into cynicism writing about tech. There are so many underwhelming announcements and iterative improvements. Companies toss the letters AI around like it’s a magic elixir sent down from the Gods. The layoffs are harsh. Sometimes, though, you find something simple, useful and fun that forces optimism. That’s where I’m at with the Vizio MicMe. It’s a soundbar that doubles as a karaoke machine. That’s a neat idea, right?

The MicMe is being advertised as a “two-in-one soundbar system” that totally eliminates the need for a clunky standalone karaoke speaker. It’s a legitimate 2.1 soundbar, complete with a subwoofer. It’ll get the job done with regard to endless streams of Agatha All Along or Nobody Wants This.

The soundbar in action.
Vizio

It also ships with two dynamic wireless microphones, and that’s where the karaoke magic comes in. The company says that the soundbar enters karaoke mode when one of the microphones is removed from the charging dock, without the user having to fiddle with anything. There is, however, an affiliated mobile app for making sound adjustments. This app also allows access to six different vocal effects.

Each microphone boasts eight hours of battery life per charge, which means a solid 8PM to 4AM karaoke session. Vizio says MicMe will have access to 80,000 songs via the proprietary app. It also integrates with many standalone karaoke apps, like Stingray. There should be no shortage of songs to ruin or master.

The soundbar hybrid is compatible with Vizio’s QuickFit technology, which allows it to attach to the company’s TVs without any tools. It’s also fully compatible with any smart TV with eARC. The MicMe costs $350. You can order one now but it won’t ship until the end of November.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/vizio-just-announced-a-soundbar-that-doubles-as-a-karaoke-machine-130016592.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence’s AI Update: Unlock These 6 Features Today

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Starting today, the first Apple Intelligence features are available through a free software update, helping users write, express themselves, and get things done effortlessly. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can now access features like Writing Tools, which help users feel more confident in their writing, a redesigned Siri with a more natural and conversational design, and Clean Up in Photos to remove distracting objects in the background of photos. These features are available when devices are set to U.S. English and running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

Designer: Apple

With Apple Intelligence, powerful Apple-built generative models enhance the personal capabilities of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This easy-to-use personal intelligence system understands context to deliver helpful and relevant support, all while prioritizing user privacy and making strides for privacy in AI.

Getting Started with Apple Intelligence

To get started with Apple Intelligence, users need to update their devices to the latest software—iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1. This ensures compatibility with the new features and improvements that Apple Intelligence offers. The update process is simple: navigate to Settings, select General, and then Software Update.

Once the software is updated, adjusting Siri language settings to U.S. English is crucial. This setting allows Apple Intelligence to function correctly, as many new features are optimized for this language configuration. After making these adjustments, users can go to Settings, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, and opt-in to activate these new capabilities.

After opting in, users will receive a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready. This seamless onboarding process ensures that all necessary settings are in place to fully experience Apple Intelligence. By following these steps, users can unlock a more personalized and intuitive device experience, making their everyday tasks more accessible and efficient.

Writing Tools

Writing Tools are designed to boost confidence and productivity in communication. By allowing users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize content across various apps, these tools make it easier to convey messages effectively. Users can access Writing Tools in applications like Mail, Messages, Notes, and even third-party apps, making them versatile for different communication needs.

The rewrite feature allows users to adjust the tone of their messages to suit different situations. For instance, they can choose a professional tone for work emails, a friendly tone for personal messages, or a concise tone when brevity is key. This flexibility helps ensure that each message is appropriate for its audience, improving clarity and impact.

The Proofread feature provides more than just basic grammar corrections. It helps users enhance their writing by suggesting word choice and sentence structure improvements. Along with corrections, Proofread provides explanations, making it an educational tool that users can learn from over time. This is particularly useful for anyone looking to refine their writing skills while ensuring their communication is polished and error-free.

Another key feature of Writing Tools is the summarizing tool. It condenses long texts into digestible summaries, which can be key points or lists. This is ideal for quickly breaking down lengthy emails, meeting notes, or articles. By providing a concise overview, the summarizing feature helps users save time while still understanding the content’s core message. Writing Tools work seamlessly across Apple devices, ensuring users have support wherever needed.

The Proofread feature improves grammar, word choice, and sentence structure while providing explanations for the suggested edits, making it easier for users to learn from the changes. The summarizing tool condenses content into more manageable key points or lists, perfect for breaking down long emails or meeting notes. These tools work consistently across Apple devices, making everyday communication easier and more effective.

Siri Upgrade

Siri has received a significant upgrade that enhances both its usability and aesthetics. The new design features an elegant glowing animation that appears across devices, including iPhone, iPad, CarPlay, and Mac. This visual upgrade makes Siri more engaging and provides a clear indicator of when Siri is active and listening, adding a layer of user interaction that feels intuitive.

One of the key improvements is the ability to place Siri anywhere on a Mac desktop. This makes Siri more accessible when multitasking, allowing users to issue commands quickly without interrupting their workflow. The upgraded Siri can seamlessly switch between text and voice commands, which means users can interact with Siri in a way that suits their environment—whether they’re typing quietly in a meeting or speaking commands while driving.

The enhanced product knowledge has also made Siri a more capable assistant. Users can now get detailed answers about their Apple devices, like learning to take a screen recording or reset an AirTag. This support helps users navigate their devices more effectively without searching through settings or manuals. Overall, the new Siri is not just a voice assistant—it’s a smarter, more deeply integrated tool that elevates the Apple experience.

Apple Mail Enhancements

Apple Mail has been significantly enhanced with Apple Intelligence, bringing a new level of efficiency to email management. High-priority messages now automatically surface at the top of the inbox, helping users quickly focus on what matters most. This prioritization ensures that important communications are never missed, even during the busiest times of the day.

Email threads are also summarized, making it easy to get an overview of a long conversation without reading every single message. This is particularly helpful for users who receive large volumes of email and need to stay informed without spending excessive time scrolling through long threads. By providing concise summaries, Apple Mail allows users to keep track of ongoing conversations at a glance.

The Smart Reply feature offers suggested contextually relevant responses, making it faster to reply to messages. Whether users are responding to a work email or confirming an appointment, Smart Reply saves time and helps maintain momentum in communication. These enhancements make Apple Mail an indispensable tool for staying organized and ensuring email management is as efficient as possible.

Notification Summaries

Apple Intelligence has also improved how notifications are handled, making them less intrusive and more informative. Users now receive notification summaries that collect key information from apps like Mail and Messages. These summaries appear directly on the Lock Screen, allowing users to quickly scan the most important updates without unlocking their devices.

Instead of facing a barrage of individual notifications, users can view a streamlined summary that highlights the most relevant details. This feature is handy on busy days, helping users stay on top of multiple conversations and updates without feeling overwhelmed. By condensing notifications into a simple summary, Apple Intelligence reduces distractions while ensuring that users remain informed about what’s most important.

This summary system is ideal for people who want to focus on tasks without constant interruptions. The ability to see everything at a glance helps maintain productivity while still staying connected, providing the perfect balance between information and focus.

Photos Upgrade

The Photos app has received a significant upgrade with the Clean Up feature, designed to make photo editing more manageable and effective. With Clean Up, users can effortlessly remove unwanted elements from their pictures. Whether a stranger in the background or an object that detracts from the main focus, Clean Up ensures photos look how users want them to. This feature works on all images in the Photos library, including those taken with other devices like DSLRs.

Another exciting improvement is the natural language search capability in Photos. This feature makes finding specific images much more intuitive. Users can describe the content they’re looking for—such as “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt”—and Photos will locate the relevant images. This eliminates the need to scroll endlessly through the photo library, saving time and making the entire experience more user-friendly.

In addition to editing and search features, the Photos app now allows users to create customizable Memory Movies. Users can generate a personalized slideshow that includes photos and videos from their library by simply typing a description. This feature is perfect for capturing special moments and sharing them with friends and family, adding a creative dimension to how users interact with their photo collections.

Additionally, natural language search makes finding specific photos easier. Users can simply describe what they are looking for—like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt,” for example—and the app will locate the relevant images. This intuitive search helps keep photo collections organized and easy to navigate.

Call and Notes Transcription

Apple Intelligence has also introduced powerful new features for recording and transcribing phone calls. This capability is especially useful for capturing important details from business calls or personal conversations. Once recorded, Apple Intelligence provides a summary of the conversation, making it easy to refer back to key points without having to listen to the entire call again.

Similarly, the Notes app now supports audio recording with automatic transcription. Users can record meetings, lectures, or personal notes and have them transcribed into text. This feature benefits students or professionals who need to document information without taking manual notes in real-time. It ensures that all important details are captured and can be quickly reviewed or organized later.

These transcription tools efficiently track important information, making it simpler to stay organized in both personal and professional contexts. By integrating these features into everyday apps, Apple Intelligence offers a practical solution for managing and retaining information.

Future Updates

Looking ahead, Apple Intelligence is set to expand its capabilities even further. In December, users will see Siri integrated with ChatGPT, enhancing Siri’s ability to handle more complex queries and conversations. This integration will make Siri more interactive, offering a richer, more engaging user experience. Whether answering in-depth questions or providing more nuanced assistance, Siri will become a more capable virtual assistant.

Another exciting feature coming soon is Visual Intelligence with Camera Control, which will be available on the iPhone 16. This tool will allow users to point their camera at objects and instantly get information about them. Whether identifying a plant, translating a sign, or learning about a landmark, this feature brings augmented reality-style information into everyday life, enhancing the iPhone’s utility in real-world situations.

Additionally, Apple Intelligence will introduce Genmoji, allowing users to create custom emojis for a more personalized messaging experience. Expanded language support will also roll out in December, including localized English for several countries, with additional languages coming in 2024. These updates will make Apple Intelligence more inclusive and versatile, catering to a worldwide audience.

Apple Intelligence will expand its language support in December, adding localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. More languages are expected to be introduced in 2024. This ongoing expansion will enhance Apple Intelligence’s accessibility and usefulness for a wider audience.

The post Apple Intelligence’s AI Update: Unlock These 6 Features Today first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Intelligence is coming to EU iPhones and iPads in April

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Folks in the European Union finally know when Apple Intelligence will be available on their mobile devices. Apple told EU users on Monday that its AI suite will arrive in April 2025. The first Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and AI notification summaries, are now available for English speakers elsewhere.

Apple announced the EU release date in a press release for the European Union (via 9to5Mac). Translated from Italian, the news post reads, “In April, Apple Intelligence features will begin to be distributed to iPhone and iPad users in the EU.”

The article notes that the first wave of Apple Intelligence is already available for EU users in macOS Sequoia 15.1. That’s because Apple used the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as its rationale for delaying its EU AI. In this case, the regulations only affect iPhone and iPad software, not macOS.

On Monday, Apple also confirmed that its AI suite will be available in more languages in April and throughout the year through a software update. These include Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese, English (India), English (Singapore), Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Vietnamese. In December, Apple Intelligence will become available in English variants for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.

Apple Intelligence is getting a tiered rollout. Today’s first batch in iOS 18.1 (for those outside the EU) includes Writing Tools, live transcriptions, notification summaries and more. iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will bring additional features like ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. That software is currently in beta and is expected to arrive with an official release in December.

The only catch is you’ll need a compatible device. On iPhone, that’s limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 series. M-series iPads, Macs, and the new seventh-gen iPad mini are also supported.

Update, October 28 2024, 4:09PM ET: This story has been updated to correct the timeframe of the release of Apple Intelligence in more languages, clarifying that it's coming "in April and throughout the year" and not just "in April."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-is-coming-to-eu-iphones-and-ipads-in-april-191028410.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence is coming to EU iPhones and iPads in April

Posted on by

Folks in the European Union finally know when Apple Intelligence will be available on their mobile devices. Apple told EU users on Monday that its AI suite will arrive in April 2025. The first Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and AI notification summaries, are now available for English speakers elsewhere.

Apple announced the EU release date in a press release for the European Union (via 9to5Mac). Translated from Italian, the news post reads, “In April, Apple Intelligence features will begin to be distributed to iPhone and iPad users in the EU.”

The article notes that the first wave of Apple Intelligence is already available for EU users in macOS Sequoia 15.1. That’s because Apple used the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as its rationale for delaying its EU AI. In this case, the regulations only affect iPhone and iPad software, not macOS.

On Monday, Apple also confirmed that its AI suite will be available in more languages in April and throughout the year through a software update. These include Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese, English (India), English (Singapore), Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Vietnamese. In December, Apple Intelligence will become available in English variants for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.

Apple Intelligence is getting a tiered rollout. Today’s first batch in iOS 18.1 (for those outside the EU) includes Writing Tools, live transcriptions, notification summaries and more. iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will bring additional features like ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. That software is currently in beta and is expected to arrive with an official release in December.

The only catch is you’ll need a compatible device. On iPhone, that’s limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 series. M-series iPads, Macs, and the new seventh-gen iPad mini are also supported.

Update, October 28 2024, 4:09PM ET: This story has been updated to correct the timeframe of the release of Apple Intelligence in more languages, clarifying that it's coming "in April and throughout the year" and not just "in April."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-is-coming-to-eu-iphones-and-ipads-in-april-191028410.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence is now available with iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1

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The wait is finally over. Apple Intelligence is making its proper debut with the public releases of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 today. Typically, point-one versions of Apple operating systems add minor features and fix bugs, but this year it brings a major update since Apple Intelligence features weren't quite ready in time for the rollout of iOS 18. Considering the new iPhone 16 series was touted as "built for Apple Intelligence," but launched without the features they were built for, this release has been long in the making. Those with older devices are likely to find iOS 18.1 to be less dramatic of an update, since the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the only previous-generation iPhones that will support Apple Intelligence. 

You'll know you can use Apple Intelligence when you get a notification from the company. The initial generative AI features you can check out include writing tools like proofreading and rewriting, as well as text summaries.

There are live transcriptions available for phone calls and audio in the Notes app. Apple can helpfully generate summaries of these transcriptions. In addition, Apple can reorganize your photos and videos around memorable events such as trips and special events in the overhauled Photos app. You can create your own Memories in the app as well.

The beginnings of a Siri overhaul are here too. You can now type requests and questions to the previously voice-only assistant. If you still prefer speaking to it, Siri should be able to understand requests if you stutter or interrupt yourself. The Siri UI has been tweaked, as you'll see a glowing border around the screen when you activate it. However, you'll need to wait a bit longer for other Siri-driven features, such as the assistant's ability to have a better understanding of your personal context.

Apple Intelligence is currently available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 lineup. M-series iPads and Macs also support Apple Intelligence, as does the new A17 Pro-powered iPad mini.

Bear in mind that access is currently limited to those who set their device and Siri language set to US English. Apple Intelligence will start to become available in more countries and languages in December. Apple doesn't plan to broadly offer the AI tools in the European Union or Chinese mainland right away due to regulatory issues, though as of September it was in talks with officials in both markets to make Apple Intelligence available there.

In addition to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 adds support for other new features, such as a hearing test and the ability to use AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids. It should be easier to change the mail email address that's linked to your Apple Account as well.

You'll need to wait a bit longer for other promised Apple Intelligence features. The company released the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 developer betas last week. Along with additional writing tools, the betas include Genmoji (a custom emoji generator), Image Playground (animated- and illustrated-style image generation), the Google Lens-like Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration.

As for those who want to use Apple Intelligence in other countries and languages, Apple says that it is adding support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK in December. A bigger update in April will expand language support beyond English — Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese are among the new languages that'll be supported. Apple also says that unspecified "other languages" will be added, as well. 

  1. Open the "Settings" app and tap "General."

  2. Tap "Software Update."

  3. Your phone will load the latest software update available. From there, you can either tap "update now" or "update tonight."

  4. Enter your iPhone's passcode to start the update.

Update, October 28 2024, 12:15PM ET: This story was updated with notes on how to update your iPhone to iOS 18.1.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-starts-rolling-out-with-ios-181-and-macos-151-151023619.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence is now available with iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1

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The wait is finally over. Apple Intelligence is making its proper debut with the public releases of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 today. Typically, point-one versions of Apple operating systems add minor features and fix bugs, but this year it brings a major update since Apple Intelligence features weren't quite ready in time for the rollout of iOS 18. Considering the new iPhone 16 series was touted as "built for Apple Intelligence," but launched without the features they were built for, this release has been long in the making. Those with older devices are likely to find iOS 18.1 to be less dramatic of an update, since the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the only previous-generation iPhones that will support Apple Intelligence. 

You'll know you can use Apple Intelligence when you get a notification from the company. The initial generative AI features you can check out include writing tools like proofreading and rewriting, as well as text summaries.

There are live transcriptions available for phone calls and audio in the Notes app. Apple can helpfully generate summaries of these transcriptions. In addition, Apple can reorganize your photos and videos around memorable events such as trips and special events in the overhauled Photos app. You can create your own Memories in the app as well.

The beginnings of a Siri overhaul are here too. You can now type requests and questions to the previously voice-only assistant. If you still prefer speaking to it, Siri should be able to understand requests if you stutter or interrupt yourself. The Siri UI has been tweaked, as you'll see a glowing border around the screen when you activate it. However, you'll need to wait a bit longer for other Siri-driven features, such as the assistant's ability to have a better understanding of your personal context.

Apple Intelligence is currently available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 lineup. M-series iPads and Macs also support Apple Intelligence, as does the new A17 Pro-powered iPad mini.

Bear in mind that access is currently limited to those who set their device and Siri language set to US English. Apple Intelligence will start to become available in more countries and languages in December. Apple doesn't plan to broadly offer the AI tools in the European Union or Chinese mainland right away due to regulatory issues, though as of September it was in talks with officials in both markets to make Apple Intelligence available there.

In addition to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 adds support for other new features, such as a hearing test and the ability to use AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids. It should be easier to change the mail email address that's linked to your Apple Account as well.

You'll need to wait a bit longer for other promised Apple Intelligence features. The company released the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 developer betas last week. Along with additional writing tools, the betas include Genmoji (a custom emoji generator), Image Playground (animated- and illustrated-style image generation), the Google Lens-like Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration.

As for those who want to use Apple Intelligence in other countries and languages, Apple says that it is adding support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK in December. A bigger update in April will expand language support beyond English — Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese are among the new languages that'll be supported. Apple also says that unspecified "other languages" will be added, as well. 

  1. Open the "Settings" app and tap "General."

  2. Tap "Software Update."

  3. Your phone will load the latest software update available. From there, you can either tap "update now" or "update tonight."

  4. Enter your iPhone's passcode to start the update.

Update, October 28 2024, 12:15PM ET: This story was updated with notes on how to update your iPhone to iOS 18.1.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-starts-rolling-out-with-ios-181-and-macos-151-151023619.html?src=rss