Apple’s annual World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off next week, and this year’s event promises to be memorable as the company unveils its plans for generative AI. While the event is primarily focused on showcasing the latest updates for developers, there is always anticipation for hardware announcements. However, rumors suggest that this year’s keynote will be light on hardware, with no new products expected. Apple recently hosted a standalone virtual iPad event, debuting new versions of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, so it’s possible that the company is saving any hardware announcements for a later date.
Apple has been under pressure to catch up in the field of generative AI, with CEO Tim Cook promising big things on shareholder calls. The company has been working on partnerships with Google and OpenAI, with rumors suggesting that Apple may integrate Google’s Gemini model into iOS or collaborate with OpenAI for AI-related developments. The collapse of Apple’s electric car project led to a shift in focus towards internal generative AI efforts, indicating that the company is still trailing behind its competitors in this area.
One of the main highlights of this year’s WWDC is expected to be iOS 18, which is rumored to be one of the biggest updates in Apple’s history. Siri, Apple’s smart assistant, is set to receive a refresh with improved capabilities, including the ability to edit photos and delete emails. Other updates include more intelligent search in Safari, summarization in Notes, and transcriptions in Voice Memos. Apple is even bringing generative AI to emojis, allowing users to customize and create their own in Messages. Additionally, users will have more freedom to customize their homescreen with icons and widgets.
Another focus of the event will be macOS 15, with Apple unveiling the official name for the new operating system. Similar to iOS, macOS will see updates in Siri, Notes, and Safari. Apple’s office apps, such as Pages and Keynote, will also receive AI enhancements. System Settings will undergo a design refresh, bringing macOS closer to iOS in terms of user interface. Accessibility features will be improved, and even the Calculator app will see some design changes.
Overall, Apple’s WWDC promises to be an exciting event, with a focus on generative AI and updates to iOS and macOS. While hardware announcements may be limited this year, the company is expected to make significant strides in the field of AI and demonstrate its commitment to delivering transformative opportunities for users.