A few weeks back, OpenAI’s ChatGPT took the market by storm with the announcement of its 4o. The new version’s voice controls were compared to Apple’s Siri, and many questioned whether Apple and its technology would soon become redundant. And like everything in the technology world, this, too, has changed quickly.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, the tech giant unveiled a sweeping array of innovations that promise to reshape the technology landscape. Focusing on integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) across its ecosystem, Apple is focused on redefining user interactions with its devices, ensuring a blend of powerful functionality and robust security.
Moving into the world of ‘Personal AI’ – Apple Intelligence
It is no secret AI has become ubiquitous. While the giants are all scrambling to make their mark in this new era, Apple introduced its proprietary AI system, Apple Intelligence, which is a significant milestone.
The personal intelligence system primarily integrates generative models directly into the core of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. By embedding AI capabilities into its devices, Apple enables functionalities like image generation and text summarisation within its native apps.
Essentially, this makes everyday tasks more efficient and intuitive. However, Microsoft and Google are also making their AI capabilities native to their products, so what sets Apple Intelligence apart is its core trump card—security.
The system smartly decides whether to process requests on-device or through Apple’s private cloud, ensuring the careful handling of user data.
Siri’s transformation: embracing AI for deeper integration
While ChatGPT’s 4o version had made Apple’s Siri look obsolete, the tech giant has re-entered the array with Siri’s AI-driven transformation. Interestingly, Siri’s biggest upgrade is its integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This allows Siri to intelligently determine if a user query is better suited for ChatGPT, seeking permission before processing the request.
Leveraging large language models (LLMs), Siri’s ability to understand and execute complex commands is significantly improved.
Users can now ask Siri to search within specific emails or locate photos of friends, showcasing a more personalised and efficient assistant.
With enhanced integration into the iPhone, Siri now appears as a pulsating light, providing users with a more interactive experience.
Revolutionising apps with AI
Another major push was the introduction of a suite of AI-powered enhancements across Apple’s core apps in iOS 18. The Mail app can now summarise emails and generate responses, streamlining communication. Notes and Phone apps also benefit from AI-powered transcriptions and summaries, making information management more efficient.
The new Genmoji feature allows the creation of custom emojis based on text prompts, while the Image Playground offers AI-driven image generation capabilities.
The Photos app sees significant improvements with natural language search capabilities and background object removal, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser.
Customisation and connectivity: New features in iOS 18
Beyond AI, iOS 18 brings increased customisation options and improved connectivity. The new Control Centre is more customisable, and users can freely arrange app icons on their home screen.
A feature allowing users to lock specific apps adds an extra layer of privacy. The update includes a redesigned Photos app and a Game Mode that optimises gameplay by minimising background activities.
Moreover, Apple is fulfilling its promise to support RCS, enhancing messaging capabilities with features like text scheduling and SMS messaging via satellite. iMessage will also support colourful Tapback options and advanced text formatting.
Innovations in iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS
iPadOS 18 finally introduces a calculator app with Apple Pencil support, allowing users to solve equations directly on their iPad. The Smart Script feature further enhances the usability of handwritten notes by improving their appearance and spell-checking them using machine learning.
macOS 15’s new mirroring capability allows users to interact with their iPhone from their Mac, facilitating a seamless cross-device experience. Safari’s Highlights feature will use machine learning to pinpoint interesting web page parts, enhancing the browsing experience.
watchOS 11 introduces automatic widget additions based on user needs, a new Vitals app for tracking health metrics, and improved cycle tracking. Including Live Activities and Check In, support further enhances the Apple Watch’s functionality as a health and safety companion.
Vision Pro and AirPods Pro: Future-Ready Enhancements
Apple’s visionOS 2 uses machine learning to bring depth to photos and supports an ultrawide virtual Mac display, offering a more immersive experience. New intuitive gestures and travel mode support for trains reflect Apple’s commitment to refining user interactions with their devices.
The next AirPods Pro update introduces Siri Interactions, allowing users to respond to Siri with head movements and Voice Isolation, which enhances voice quality by reducing background noise. These updates highlight Apple’s focus on improving the usability and functionality of its accessories.
Enhancing entertainment and security
Apple TV Plus is getting a new feature called “inSights,” allowing users to identify actors and characters, discover songs, and manage their Apple Music playlists with a simple swipe on the remote. This feature enhances the viewing experience by providing contextual information and seamless integration with other Apple services.
Apple’s new Passwords app addresses the growing need for secure password management, offering cross-device synchronization and password generation capabilities akin to LastPass and 1Password. This app is a significant addition to Apple’s suite of security-focused tools, ensuring users can easily manage their digital credentials.
By integrating AI across its ecosystem, enhancing customisation and connectivity, and prioritising security, Apple continues to set the standard for user-centric technology. These advancements enhance the functionality of Apple’s devices and pave the way for a more intuitive and interconnected digital future.
