Upgrading for Apple Intelligence? Nope, sorry, not convinced.

By Stephen, 5 November, 2024

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I’m not convinced by Apple’s new Intelligence features, and here’s why. I’m using the 15 Pro Max, where I’ve mapped the action button to launch “Be My Eyes,” effectively serving as my sight. With a quick press, it opens the app instantly, allowing me to snap photos by tapping the volume up button. For object detection, like finding doors, I simply double-tap the back of my phone to enable Live Recognition—no need for additional layers of software.

When it comes to writing longer content, such as emails, I draft it in Notes, then use ChatGPT to refine it however I need. These features cover all my bases.

Frankly, Apple’s Intelligence update feels more like a marketing angle than a functional breakthrough, especially for users with the action button on the 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. With the customizability and tools already at hand, Apple Intelligence doesn’t deliver anything particularly groundbreaking.

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Comments

By sechaba on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - 16:34

Well, it wouldn't hurt to upgrade your software, since 15ProMax already supports IOS 18.1. Plus, upgrading to the latest software helps with security upgrades.

By Stephen on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - 16:34

I’m more referring to getting the iPhone 16 lineup. Or even just turning on the apple intelligence features on my 15 Pro Max. I was a beta tester for Apple Intelligence when it was in developer beta and honestly, it’s extremely underwhelming.

By Michael Hansen on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - 16:34

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Right now, the Apple Intelligence features don't offer me anything that would make my life easier. I don't want AI to rewrite my messages or emails. I don't trust it to summarize my notifications (or anything else!) lest it get some small but important detail wrong. I can see a compelling use case for Siri and ChatGPT for describing pictures, but it would need to be better and more seamless than anything the other solutions already offer.

By Holger Fiallo on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

Well if you are happy with what you have is cool. As the saying goes to each their own. Just update iOS to address bugs and other issues such as security.

By Stephen on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

I mean obviously you would wanna update for security patches, fixes, etc. etc. i’m more so thinking of people who want to upgrade to the 16 lineup from the 15 pro lineup due to visual intelligence which to be fair is just one of the features of Apple Intelligence. In my opinion it’s not worth the price tag.

By Holger Fiallo on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

I always had a pro since 11 pro max them 12 pro, 13 pro and now 16 pro max. It works for me. The visual intelligent might be a great use for me and also more precise with finding airtags is nice.

By Justin Harris on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

I have the 16 and don't plan on using the AI stuff. Obviously, I keep my software up to date for all the other reasons others have mentioned, and having a phone that should be good for several years is great, but yeah, really don't care about the AI features.

By Ekaj on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

Sometime last week when I was updating my Mac, I was asked if I wanted to be put on a waiting list for Apple Intelligence. I clicked yes out of curiosity. I realize we have all this other cool stuff, and based on what I'm reading I probably shouldn't expect much either. But we'll see what happens. As for iOS, I got an iPhone 14 earlier in the year and it's working just fine for me. Speaking of this waiting list, has anyone else gotten it and if so, are these features being rolled out slowly?

By Dennis Long on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

I do think it can be useful. The only way it will get better is if people submit feedback. What would you like it to do that it doesn't do? What bugs and errors did you find? This will help Apple improve the product.

By Holger Fiallo on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

More likely I probably will use it once a week. I am not planning to pay $20 for it. I thin apple gives you a number of use a month or week. Like I said the visuall I looks nice but will see how it works with VO.

By Brian on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

I agree that upgrading solely for the chance to use something as flimsy as Apple Intelligence, seems like a foolish endeavor. Optionally, and has already been said here, iOS 18 reportedly is more secure/stable than iOS 17. However, right now navigating Notes is such a pain with iOS 18, that I would suggest sticking with 17 at least until a few of the more recent bugs are squished.

PS, I am digging the way you have your iPhone 15 setup with the Action button and utilizing ChatGPT. 😎👌

By Stephen on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 16:34

Yes guys, it’s always important to update to the latest iOS for security…I thought it was evident I new that as I used the word upgrade as in “ upgrading your device” instead of updating “ updating your device.”
Appreciate you looking out though.

By tcoburn on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 16:34

well, I agree with the majority here, you always upgrade for security patches anyway. nobody is forcing your arm to use apple inteligence. if you don't want to use it, then don't use it, no big deal. AI is going to end up costing us additional money to use anyway. and I for one, am not going to pay extra money for AI when I barely use it as it is. That didn't stop me from purchasing the iphone 16 anyway. I didn't buy it for AI, I bought it because I needed a new battery anyway, and since I don't live anywhere near an Apple store, I would have had to buy a new phone anyway. I pay verizon monthly for it, not all at once. whats another $30 a month on top of the $50 you already pay for the line anyway? I didn't get the pro because I can barely stand the 6.1 inch size, much of less 6.3 inch, so I just got the 16 regular. only thing I was disappointed about not getting the pro was for visual intelligence, but I think we will be able to use visual intelligence anyway and I didn't want to buy a more expensive phone just for one feature. nobody is buying a new phone for AI right now anyway. you don't buy a new phone for the current software it provides, you buy a new phone for hardware upgrades, and AI coming in March. so I was very happy with my purchase from the 14 pro to the reguar 16. I actually like the regular 16 better because I don't have to hold my phone away from my face 36 inches away like I'm taking a freaking selfie just to use faceID. faceID finally works perfect now, no longer that like I'm taking a selfie crap. lol. in other words, I don't like the better camera. I'm completely blind, why do I care about a better camera. I mean really. if all you want a new phone for is AI, then you are going to be disappointed anyway. also I bought it because I wanted 8GB of RAM in a phone. 3 GB just never seemed to be enough. there were many reasons I upgraded, not just AI. and if AI ends up being as cool as they claim, thats a nice bonus, but if it doesn't, who cares. I don't even use siri all that much being a voiceover user. but I can understand not wanting to upgrade from a 13 or 14 or even 15, but what gets me are these people who still have iphone 6's or 10's or 12's, the battery has to be dead by then, especially if your like me and don't live anywhere near an apple store to have the battery replaced. I don't get those people at all. for the battery alone, I replace my phone every 2 years. the battery dies way before then, and isn't worth as much in trade-in.

By Holger Fiallo on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 16:34

Tell us how you really feel about AI, do not be shy.

By Brad on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 16:34

People are buying phones for the AI features, we might not be as voiceover users but trust me when I say people are doing this, you can see it in tonnes of reviews on youtube.

Why would you want a better camra? Well, it can help you take better pictures for things like Seeing AI and BeMyEyes.

I'm not a huge fan of AI in phones like this, I don't feel like it adds much to my experience but i'll be getting the 16 either this year or near the start of the next for the storage space. Or I might just go with a 15 as it has the 1 tb storage i'd like.

By Tara on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 23:34

I like the idea of Apple intelligence being able to edit photos for me. I've always wanted to be able to edit screenshots for example. A better Siri would be advantageous. But the writing tools, absolutely not! I don't need summaries or rewrites, at least not in English.