RUMOR ROUNDUP: What To Expect in From Apple at WWDC24: Plenty of AI

We will officially find out all that Apple has in store for the release of iOS 18 and macOS 15 on June tenth during their Worldwide Developers Conference Keynote. But the rumor mill has been full of plenty of hints of what we can expect. Today, we’re talking about all of the most likely features to be integrated into the new operating systems. One thing is for sure, Apple will be injecting plenty of new artificial intelligence features into the platforms.

In the tech world’s race to incorporate AI into everything, Apple has been notably quiet. Despite the transformative launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI eighteen months ago, and with Google, Microsoft, and Meta focused on seemingly nothing but AI, Apple has yet to introduce substantial AI features to the iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This year, that changes. Apple plans to take a unique approach to AI, emphasizing practical tools for everyday use rather than flashy features.

A significant portion of this year's Worldwide Developers Conference will spotlight Apple’s new AI capabilities, central to which is Project Greymatter. This initiative aims to integrate AI tools into core apps like Safari, Photos, and Notes, as well as enhance system features such as notifications.

Both iOS 18 and macOS 15 will feature software that determines whether tasks should be processed on-device or via the cloud. On-device features will primarily be supported by the latest chips in iPhones, iPads, and Macs, while cloud tasks will utilize M2 Ultra chips in Apple’s data centers.

The Siri personal assistant is set for a major upgrade, with more natural-sounding interactions powered by Apple’s large language models, a cornerstone of generative AI. An advanced version of Siri will also be upgraded on the Apple Watch for on-the-go assistance.

One standout feature is "smart recaps," which are AI-generated summaries of missed notifications, messages, web pages, articles, notes, and more. This feature, accessible via Siri, aims to keep users up-to-date effortlessly.

The Photos app will see AI-driven enhancements for photo retouching, potentially allowing natural language commands and the removal of objects from images. Meanwhile, the Notes app will support audio recordings with real-time transcription and summarization, making it a powerful tool for students and professionals alike, rivaling apps like Microsoft’s OneNote and Otter.

Additionally, iOS and macOS will suggest phrases as you type, and may even offer full automatic replies to emails and texts, potentially reducing communication to single button taps. A fun new feature could be generative AI-created emojis based on your current typing, offering a more personalized way to express yourself.

Beyond AI, iOS 18 and macOS 15 will bring several other improvements. The Settings app will get a cleaner interface, better organization, and enhanced search capabilities. Control Center will feature a new music widget and smarter home appliance controls. The Messages app will introduce new icons and effects, and the Photos app will sport an updated interface. Mail will also see various upgrades.

For watchOS 11, expect an updated Siri interface and enhancements to the Fitness app, though the changes are less significant than last year's updates.

With Apple’s official announcements just around the corner, what features are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Tech News Scoops and full coverage of Apple’s dub dub d c event.