Apple’s highly anticipated WWDC is set to showcase a transformative wave of updates, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, or as Apple is rebranding it, “Apple Intelligence.”
This year’s announcements will include major updates to Apple iOS 18, Apple iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, and visionOS 2.
Rumors suggest Apple is poised to redefine AI, shifting the focus to “Apple Intelligence” to highlight its unique approach. Apple’s AI tools, reportedly powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT models, will debut on the Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, and Apple Mac, emphasizing user privacy with on-device processing, resorting to cloud computing only when necessary.
Initial Apple AI capabilities will be offered as opt-in beta programs, necessitating an Apple iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or an Apple iPad/Mac equipped with an M1 chip or later.
The emphasis will be on practical, convenience-driven features rather than creative image and video generation.
Key features expected include AI-enhanced summaries for web pages, notes, messages, and notifications, reply suggestions for emails and texts, automatic transcription, and summary generation for voice memos.
Siri is set for a significant upgrade, with enhanced control over app features and actions, starting with Apple’s own apps, and expanding to some third-party apps next year. The Photos app will gain advanced editing capabilities like object and people removal, while AI-generated emojis based on text will likely become a fun new feature.
Xcode is anticipated to receive AI-powered code autocompletion, streamlining the development process.
Beyond AI, Apple has a slew of other software enhancements on the horizon: iOS 18 Home Screen will offer more freedom to place icons and customize icon colors, Control Center will feature a redesigned interface, the Settings App will have improved organization and navigation, and the Messages App will support RCS, scheduled messages, and colorful Tapback icons. Additionally, a new Passwords App will replace iCloud Keychain, the Calculator App will finally arrive on iPad, and the Calendar App will integrate data from the Reminders app.
The Health App will enhance blood pressure data handling and support features for pregnant users, while watchOS 11 will debut a new Siri interface and significant updates to key apps like Fitness. Safari on macOS 15 will strengthen privacy measures, new wallpaper packs will offer nostalgic designs, and visionOS 2 will include new environments and iPad versions of apps.
As WWDC 2024 unfolds, Apple fans and developers alike can look forward to a groundbreaking blend of advanced AI features and practical software enhancements, setting the stage for a new era of user experience across Apple devices.
