Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 is set to bring a host of new AI-powered features to enhance the user experience. The collection of AI capabilities, codenamed “Greymatter,” aims to seamlessly integrate AI within existing apps and services. This move aligns with Apple’s focus on practical benefits for the end user.
One of the most anticipated updates is a significant revamp of Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. Reports suggest that Siri will receive a major upgrade called “Greymatter Catch Up.” This feature will allow users to request a summary of recent notifications by simply asking Siri. Additionally, Siri is expected to become smarter and able to integrate with other apps, incorporating calendar events, locations, and dates into its notification summaries. Apple is also testing “more natural” voices for Siri, ensuring that they don’t sound too similar to celebrities, learning from OpenAI’s Scarlett Johansson incident.
iOS 18 may also introduce “smart replies” to Messages, Siri, and Mail. This feature will recommend messages and email drafts generated by Apple’s LLM (Language Model). Similar to Google’s Gmail and Docs, Apple’s smart replies will leverage generative AI to provide users with quick and helpful suggestions.
The Notes and Voice Memo apps are also getting an AI boost in iOS 18. Siri will reportedly provide summaries or transcripts of Notes or Voice Memos, making it easier for users to retrieve information from their recordings. Moreover, the revamped Notes app might include recordings, transcripts, and summaries within its interface. Additionally, integration with the Calculator app could enable the Notes app to solve math equations, potentially offering more advanced calculations in the future.
In terms of photo editing capabilities, iOS 18 might introduce a custom emoji generator and AI-powered features for the Photos app. These features could include the ability to remove objects from photos and generate images using generative AI. While Google Pixel has had a similar tool called Magic Eraser for some time now, Apple is catching up to provide similar functionality to eager iPhone users. There are also rumors of an integration with Messages, although details remain scarce.
Overall, Apple’s focus on AI in iOS 18 demonstrates their commitment to improving the user experience through seamless integration of AI features. While these rumored features and announcements are subject to change, WWDC on June 10 will provide a more definitive look at what Apple has in store.