Today at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, Apple’s yearly Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) gets underway with the customary keynote address from CEO Tim Cook. While the revolutionary Vision Pro was unveiled at last year’s WWDC, Apple hopes to make this year’s event even more memorable by revealing its grand aspirations for generative AI.
Major Announcements Anticipated
A major update to Siri, the addition of Apple’s Ajax Large Language Model (LLM) to Mail for email reply recommendations, and a redesign of Apple Photos are among the anticipated announcements. The week-long celebration, which takes place from June 10 to June 14, combines virtual and real-world events, mirroring Apple’s decision to increase public involvement in the wake of the pandemic. Still, the major objective is to present the most recent developer changes, similar to Google I/O and Microsoft Build.
Generative AI Takes Center Stage
Apple has faced criticism for lagging behind in generative AI, prompting Tim Cook to promise substantial advancements in this area. He assured shareholders in May that the company would “break new ground” in generative AI, unlocking transformative opportunities for users.
Expectations are high for major announcements about how generative AI will shape future versions of Apple’s operating systems, particularly iOS. Early reports suggested a potential integration with Google’s Gemini model for iOS, which would be a significant coup for Google, considering the combined market dominance of iOS and Android. More recent rumors, however, point to a partnership with OpenAI.
AI-Enhanced Features Across Platforms
Anticipation is building for the debut of iOS 18, touted as one of the biggest updates in the platform’s history. Key rumored updates include:
Siri Overhaul: Enhanced capabilities powered by generative AI, including direct photo editing, email deletion, and other daily tasks. Siri will also feature an improved voice, notification summaries, and an advanced version for Apple Watch.
Safari and Notes: AI-enhanced intelligent search in Safari, summarization in Notes, and transcription in Voice Memos.
Customizable Emojis: Users can create and customize emojis in Messages using generative AI.
Flexible Layouts: Users will be able to place icons and widgets freely on their home screens.
AI-Powered Mail: New features include professional-sounding emails and suggested replies generated by Ajax.
RCS and macOS 15 Updates
Apple is also set to introduce RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Messages, addressing long-standing compatibility issues with Android users. Despite earlier delays, this update is expected to roll out this fall. MacOS 15 will also be unveiled, with many AI-powered features from iOS 18 making their way to the desktop platform. This includes enhancements in Siri, Notes, Safari, and Apple’s office apps like Pages, Keynote, and Xcode. System Settings will continue to align macOS more closely with iOS, featuring a design refresh and key accessibility improvements. Notably, even the often-overlooked Calculator app is set for significant design changes.
Light on Hardware, Heavy on AI
Unlike previous years, this WWDC is expected to be light on hardware announcements. Apple recently held a standalone virtual event in May to introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, leaving little room for additional hardware reveals at WWDC. However, the debut of the new M4 chip in iPads hints that MacBooks featuring this chip and the upcoming iPhone A18 chip, touted as “the most advanced smartphone chip for AI,” are not far off.
As Apple aims to compete with AI advancements from rivals like Google and OpenAI, the stakes are high for WWDC 2024. The tech world will be watching closely to see if Apple can deliver on its promises and lead the next wave of AI innovation.
Source : What to expect from WWDC 2024: iOS 18, macOS 15 and so much AI | TechCrunch