Apple's AI-Powered Shortcuts Are Finally Getting the Attention They Deserve
The latest update to macOS has introduced a new feature that's been quietly working in the background: Apple Intelligence, now integrated with Apple Shortcuts. This upgrade allows users to leverage the power of AI to automate tasks more efficiently.
For those who may have missed it, Apple Shortcuts is an automation tool that lets you create custom workflows by linking multiple apps and actions together. Think of it like a digital glue stick that holds everything together.
The addition of Apple Intelligence takes this feature to the next level. With a few taps, users can now access AI-powered text analysis tools, including proofreading, summarizing, and even creating images from text.
One of the most useful features is "Use Model," which allows you to choose between running an AI model on your device or using a server-based version provided by Apple. This feature is particularly handy for extracting data from unstructured text, such as event details in email invitations.
We put this new feature to the test and created custom shortcuts that can automate tasks like adding events to our calendars and creating reminders. While there's still room for improvement – the AI isn't perfect and can get things wrong – these shortcuts work well enough to save us a significant amount of time.
The bigger takeaway here is that Apple's Shortcuts, with its integration of AI, has the potential to revolutionize how we use our devices. By empowering users to build custom workflows using this technology, we're seeing a new wave of automation possibilities emerge.
While the chatbot itself may not be the primary way most people will interact with AI in the future, tools like Apple Shortcuts are paving the way for a more user-friendly and accessible experience.
The latest update to macOS has introduced a new feature that's been quietly working in the background: Apple Intelligence, now integrated with Apple Shortcuts. This upgrade allows users to leverage the power of AI to automate tasks more efficiently.
For those who may have missed it, Apple Shortcuts is an automation tool that lets you create custom workflows by linking multiple apps and actions together. Think of it like a digital glue stick that holds everything together.
The addition of Apple Intelligence takes this feature to the next level. With a few taps, users can now access AI-powered text analysis tools, including proofreading, summarizing, and even creating images from text.
One of the most useful features is "Use Model," which allows you to choose between running an AI model on your device or using a server-based version provided by Apple. This feature is particularly handy for extracting data from unstructured text, such as event details in email invitations.
We put this new feature to the test and created custom shortcuts that can automate tasks like adding events to our calendars and creating reminders. While there's still room for improvement – the AI isn't perfect and can get things wrong – these shortcuts work well enough to save us a significant amount of time.
The bigger takeaway here is that Apple's Shortcuts, with its integration of AI, has the potential to revolutionize how we use our devices. By empowering users to build custom workflows using this technology, we're seeing a new wave of automation possibilities emerge.
While the chatbot itself may not be the primary way most people will interact with AI in the future, tools like Apple Shortcuts are paving the way for a more user-friendly and accessible experience.