Technology

Apple Intelligence Rolls Out with Game-Changing Features Across Devices

October 3, 2025

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Pro rendering performance in apps like Octane gets a huge boost with M4, and is now up to four times faster than on iPad Pro with M2.

New system-wide updates bring Live Translation, visual intelligence, Genmoji upgrades, and fitness innovations — now available in Canada

Apple Intelligence Goes Live with iOS 26 and More

THUNDER BAY – TECH – Over the past decade, using Apple products at NetNewsLedger, it has increasingly been a journey of change.

The company, one some critics say is over-priced gear and a “snob appeal” is one that offers a seamless synergy across all of its components. Apple users gain that gear confidence because the products work so effortlessly across the platform.

If you have ever wondered why consumers are so loyal to the Apple infrastructure, it is that combination of good products that do what they say they will do, service that is above and beyond, and for many the deep commitment to privacy that Apple includes in the corporate mix.

With the latest Apple Event in September, the biggest leap forward overall was the long awaited Apple Intelligence launch.

Apple’s latest AI-powered features — dubbed Apple Intelligence — are now available in Canada with the official rollout of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.

Apple Intelligence aims to transform the way users interact with their devices, offering context-aware tools like Live Translation, Visual Intelligence, and creative updates to Genmoji and Image Playground.

Users can now access a wide range of intelligent features directly on their iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Vision Pro.

Break Language Barriers with Live Translation

Apple’s new Live Translation feature lets users translate conversations in real time, across voice calls, FaceTime, in-person chats via AirPods Pro 3, and even directly in the Messages app. All translations are handled on-device, ensuring user privacy.

For local users traveling or communicating with family abroad, this could be a game-changer. Initially supporting major languages like English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, Apple plans to expand support to Italian, Korean, Japanese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese by year’s end.

Visual Intelligence: Your Screen Just Got Smarter

With Visual Intelligence, users can now interact with and take action on content visible on their screen — think identifying a product in an image and finding it online, translating text, or instantly adding an event from a flyer to their calendar.

This tool is integrated across apps and browsers, and works in tandem with apps like eBay, Etsy, and Google, plus ChatGPT for additional insights.

For Thunder Bay’s small business owners and side-hustlers, this could simplify tasks like sourcing products or building visual marketing assets.

Custom Creativity: Genmoji and Image Playground Just Got a Boost

Apple continues to blur the lines between emoji and generative art. With Genmoji, users can now create emoji by blending designs and personalizing features like hairstyle, accessories, and expressions — even drawing from real contacts.

In Image Playground, users can generate AI-based visuals in various art styles, including watercolor and oil painting, by using ChatGPT prompts. This update could empower digital creators and social media marketers across Northern Ontario.

Fitness Meets AI: Say Hello to Workout Buddy

A standout for Apple Watch users, Workout Buddy offers real-time, AI-driven motivation based on your personal metrics — heart rate, pace, past workouts, and more — delivered in a human-sounding voice modeled after Apple Fitness+ trainers.

Workout Buddy is available across popular workout types, including hiking, cycling, and strength training. For those using AirPods and iPhones, personalized audio coaching can be delivered during sessions — without sending your data to the cloud.

Build Smarter Workflows with AI-Powered Shortcuts

Apple has supercharged the Shortcuts app, allowing users to build custom automations using Apple Intelligence. Now, you can summarize notes, pull key info from PDFs into spreadsheets, or even create transcriptions that compare against meeting notes — all securely on-device or via Apple’s Private Cloud Compute.

Third-Party Apps Already Using Apple Intelligence

Several developers are already integrating Apple Intelligence into their apps:

Streaks: Automatically categorizes to-dos.
CARROT Weather: Offers AI-powered weather conversations.
Detail: AI Video Editor: Generates teleprompter scripts from outlines.

Expect more apps to follow suit, thanks to Apple’s developer framework that runs AI tools privately, efficiently, and for free.

Privacy Built In from the Ground Up

Apple emphasized privacy in this rollout. Many features run entirely on-device, and anything that requires more computational power is handled via Private Cloud Compute — a system that ensures your data isn’t stored or shared with Apple. The servers are even available for independent code audits.

Language Support and Availability

Apple Intelligence is currently available in beta for users with supported devices in these languages:
English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, with more on the way.

Thunder Bay Takeaway

For tech-forward users, small business owners, fitness fans, and travelers in Northwestern Ontario, these updates from Apple aren’t just bells and whistles — they introduce real tools that make communication, productivity, and creativity more seamless and private.

Whether you’re exploring AI-generated art, pushing your fitness boundaries, or communicating across languages, Apple Intelligence marks a major leap forward in everyday technology.