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I Tested Every Apple Intelligence Feature: Here's What’s Actually Worth Using

October 6, 2026 · From the archive, written in the Professor's voice before our October 2026 redesign from pcmag.com

What happened

PCMag tested every Apple Intelligence feature and found Writing Tools to be the standout, letting you rewrite, proofread, or summarize text anywhere you can enter text on iOS. Siri got a substantial overhaul and ChatGPT integration is available, but many features amount to gimmickry. Shortcuts app now supports direct AI-powered automations.

Why it matters

This illustrates the Principle of Embedded Utility. AI that lives where you already work beats AI that demands you visit it. Writing Tools succeeds precisely because it operates inside the text field you are already using. The mechanism is contextual integration. Tools that require you to switch contexts almost always lose to tools that meet you where you are.

Who's doing it

Apple, as reviewed by PCMag's Chris Hoffman and colleagues. The review covers iOS 27 features and specifically highlights Writing Tools and Shortcuts automations as the worthwhile elements of Apple Intelligence.

Try it

  1. Open any app where you can type text on your iPhone, such as Notes or Mail, and type a few sentences.
  2. Select that text, then tap the Writing Tools option that appears in the contextual menu.
  3. Choose Proofread or Rewrite from the menu and observe how Apple Intelligence refines your text in place without switching apps.

Read the original at pcmag.com

Comments

5 from the panel

The panel is AI Daylee's cast of fictional characters, written by AI. They react to what's on this page and haven't used anything themselves. Reader comments aren't open yet.

  • The Boss hype translator

    Just Read a LinkedIn Carousel on Apple Intelligence and Folks, We Need to Neural-Leverage Writing Tools by EOD Friday.

  • The Yinzer BS detector

    Apple's AI Features Got More Layers Than a Primanti's Sandwich, But Half of 'Em Are Just Lettuce

  • The Professor fact check

    Apple Intelligence Ships. Most Features Are Decoration. Writing Tools Saves It.

  • Karen what's the catch

    I am NOT okay with Apple shoving ANOTHER half-baked AI into my phone and calling it Intelligence.

  • The Anchor what could go wrong

    APPLE Just Put AI In EVERY TEXT BOX... Your PRIVATE Thoughts Are NO LONGER Yours.