Apple is making it easier to try Apple Intelligence within the European Union – although the service is not initially planned to be released here. As users of the third beta of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, released a few days ago, reported, it is no longer necessary to select the USA region to test the service. Germany could remain as a region – and with it information such as date size, currency or units of measurement.
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In Beta 1, Apple initially made it extremely difficult to test Apple Intelligence within the EU. In addition to the USA region setting, US English language setting and US App Store account, the device also had to be outside the 27 EU countries – or in a state where the location could not be determined. Things got better with Beta 2: Apple removed the strict geo-restrictions; the three specifications mentioned above: region setting, language setting and US App Store account were sufficient.
With beta 3 of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, things are now even easier: you only need the language setting US English and a US App Store account. Every user can do the latter very easily Make it yourselfEven a US credit card is not required. The other setup step, setting the language to US English, is a single click in the system settings. The last requirement – which must be met by default – is the activation of the Apple ID for the developer beta versions, without which you cannot download iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. All you have to do is log in once with this Apple ID developer.apple.com Register there and accept the developer’s terms.
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However, it is unclear when Apple Intelligence will officially arrive in the EU. It is currently expected that iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 will appear in October, with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 scheduled for September. Apple already announced that the AI ​​system would only be available in US English initially this year, with additional languages ​​planned for next year. To make it work this way in the EU, the need for a US Apple ID will now have to be dropped.
When initially deciding not to bring Apple Intelligence to the EU, Apple pointed to interoperability requirements for “gatekeepers” (of which Apple is one) set out in the Digital Markets Act. The group is concerned that this “compromises the integrity of the products” and undermines data protection and security. No specific details were given when the decision was announced in June – nor have they been since. However, Apple wanted to try to find a solution together with the EU Commission to bring the functions to the EU, the company stressed at the time. In addition to Apple Intelligence, other new iOS 18 features also blocked include improvements to iPhone mirroring and screen sharing on the Mac. macOS 15.1 will also include Apple Intelligence immediately in the EU, as macOS is not regulated.
(B.Sc.)
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