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