Tara Street Station Archives - HEADLESS URBAN EXPRESSION

THIS TIME I USED AN iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

I first photographed these murals a few weeks ago, around Halloween, using an Apple iPhone XR. However, the quality wasn’t great. Today, while waiting for a train, I took another opportunity to capture them with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Halide app. I recently (15 November 2024) updated to iOS 18.2 Beta 3, but unfortunately, the new Apple Intelligence features will not be supported on my current iPhones so I plan to order the Mac Mini M4 Pro before Christmas to experiment with these new features on a compatible device.

In the USA, Apple Intelligence has been partially implemented since the release of iOS 18.1 on 28 October 2024. Currently, it is limited to the iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and only functions with US English. I understand that some features will become available in Britain and Ireland later this month, but not in the rest of the EU. It’s interesting that Ireland, an EU member state, will have access to Apple Intelligence earlier than other EU countries (where it is delayed until April). This suggests that the rollout may be influenced by language considerations.

Here are some of the key features Apple has implemented in Photos with Apple Intelligence:

Advanced search: You can search for photos and videos using natural language, like “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt” or “Sadie cartwheeling on the grass”. Apple Intelligence understands the content of your images and can find what you’re looking for even if you haven’t used specific keywords to tag them.
Automatic movie creation: The Memories feature can now create movies based on your descriptions. For example, you could type “a movie about our family vacation to the beach” and Apple Intelligence will select the best photos and videos, craft a storyline with chapters, and even suggest music from Apple Music to match.
Clean Up tool: This tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without altering the subject.
Apple hasn’t announced a specific timeline for expanding Apple Intelligence to other iPhone models or languages. However, it is likely that they will continue to roll out these features to more users in future software updates. Keep an eye on Apple’s official website and press releases for the latest news and announcements about Apple Intelligence.

In June 2023, to mark Pride Month, Irish Rail unveiled a vibrant new mural by Dublin-based French artist Claire Prouvost. The mural spans 65 square metres of the arches on the southbound platform of Tara Street Station.

About the Mural:

Theme: The artwork celebrates diversity, love, and everyday life, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Style: Prouvost’s style is inspired by Cubism, with bold colours, geometric shapes, and a sense of movement. The mural features interconnected figures and symbols representing the diversity of people who pass through the station.
Interactive Elements: QR codes are installed near the mural, allowing viewers to learn more about the artist, the project, and the themes it explores.
About the Artist:

Claire Prouvost is a French visual artist who has made Dublin her home. She is known for her large-scale murals and public art installations. Her work often explores themes of human connection, social inclusion, and the vibrancy of urban life. Prouvost has collaborated with brands like Gucci, Lavazza, Guinness, and Brown Thomas.

About Tara Street Station:

Tara Street Station is a busy railway station in Dublin city centre. It serves as a major transportation hub for commuters and visitors, connecting to various destinations across Ireland. The station’s location in the heart of the city makes it a prominent public space, and the addition of Prouvost’s mural enhances its visual appeal and contributes to Dublin’s vibrant arts scene.

HALLOWEEN 2024

This was my first opportunity to photograph these murals on the southbound platform at Tara Street DART station but on my return home I could not access the photographs on my iPhone as all but one had disappeared. Yesterday [15 November 2024] after updating to iOS 18.2 Beta 3 I got a message that a number of photographs could be recovered and here they are.

In June 2023, to mark Pride Month, Irish Rail unveiled a vibrant new mural by Dublin-based French artist Claire Prouvost. The mural spans 65 square meters of the arches on the southbound platform of the station.

About the Mural:

Theme: The artwork celebrates diversity, love, and everyday life, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.

Style: Prouvost’s style is inspired by Cubism, with bold colours, geometric shapes, and a sense of movement. The mural features interconnected figures and symbols representing the diversity of people who pass through the station.

Interactive Elements: QR codes are installed near the mural, allowing viewers to learn more about the artist, the project, and the themes it explores.

About the Artist:

About Tara Street Station:

As of right now, the most recent beta version of Apple iOS is iOS 18.2 beta 3. This was released to developers on November 8th, 2024, and shortly after to public beta testers. It’s possible that a newer beta version (iOS 18.2 beta 4) might be released soon, as Apple seems to be moving quickly with the iOS 18.2 updates.

Apple initially stated that Apple Intelligence features would not be available in the EU until April 2025. This delay was attributed to compliance issues with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to regulate Big Tech companies and promote competition. However, Apple later clarified that these features would be available in Ireland and the UK by December 2024. This suggests that Apple has found a way to address the DMA concerns for these specific markets, possibly due to their close ties with the US and the English language.

Possible reasons for Ireland’s inclusion in the earlier release:

English Language: Apple Intelligence relies heavily on language processing, and English is one of the primary languages it supports. This might make it easier for Apple to deploy these features in English-speaking countries like Ireland and the UK.

Data Privacy Regulations: While Ireland is an EU member, it might have slightly different data privacy regulations or interpretations compared to other EU countries. This could potentially facilitate an earlier rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Economic and Political Considerations: Ireland has a strong economic relationship with the US, and Apple has a significant presence in the country. These factors might have influenced Apple’s decision to prioritise Ireland in the rollout.

It’s important to note:

This is still a developing situation, and Apple’s plans could change.
The exact reasons for Ireland’s inclusion in the earlier release timeline haven’t been officially confirmed by Apple.
It remains to be seen how the DMA will impact the full functionality of Apple Intelligence in Ireland and other EU countries in the long term.

I will keep an eye on any further updates or announcements from Apple regarding the rollout of Apple Intelligence in Ireland and the EU. In the meantime, it’s good news for Irish users that they might get to experience these new features sooner than initially expected!