You may need to own a Mac to use Apple Intelligence before anyone else

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In June, Apple announced Apple Intelligence, its suite of generative AI features, which will also bring ChatGPT to compatible iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Unfortunately, you’ll have to be very patient to take advantage of these new features. Apple Intelligence won’t be available on stable versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS until this fall. And initially, it will only be available in English.

A surprise for Mac users ?

In addition to this, because of the rules it must comply with in the European Union, the Cupertino firm has already indicated that it will not launch Apple Intelligence in the EU in 2024. But apparently, Apple has found a way to offer its new AI features in the EU as soon as possible, without risking being sanctioned by Brussels. Indeed, it seems that the blocking of Apple Intelligence in the European Union should ultimately only apply to iPhones and iPads, but not to Macs.

In any case, this is what is suggested by the recent beta versions of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia released by Apple. According to our colleagues at 9to5Mac, the release notes published by Apple for the beta of iOS 18.1 indicate that Apple Intelligence is only available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and that this new feature is currently not available in the EU and China. So far, no surprises. On the other hand, on the note of macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple only indicates that Apple Intelligence is currently not available in China. In other words, while iPhones used in the EU will be deprived of Apple Intelligence for a while, Apple already seems to be preparing a launch of this new feature for Macs.

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A story of compliance with the Digital Markets Act ?

But why can Apple launch Apple Intelligence on Mac, but not on iPhone ? Apparently, Apple still needs to make some changes to its AI features to comply with the Digital Markets Act, the EU legislation that governs digital giants. However, this legislation does not affect all of Apple’s products and services, but only those that have been designated by the European Commission as “essential platform services”.

iOS is one of the Apple products considered to be essential platform services. macOS, on the other hand, is not on Brussels’ list. And as a result, developing new features for Macs is not subject to the same constraints as developing new features for iPhones.

• Apple presented Apple Intelligence in June and is preparing to deploy this major new feature in the fall
• Unfortunately, EU users will have to wait, as due to Brussels rules, Apple will not be offering Apple Intelligence there this year
• However, new evidence suggests that the company may be making an exception for macOS
• Indeed, unlike iOS, macOS is not subject to the Digital Markets Act rules
• Apple could therefore launch Apple Intelligence on Macs used in Europe earlier, without the risk of sanctions

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