Apple’s annual World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off with a keynote from Tim Cook. This year, Apple aims to make WWDC 2024 memorable by unveiling its plans for generative AI. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, has promised big things in the field of AI, stating that it will unlock transformative opportunities for users. Apple’s approach to large language models has been the subject of rumors, with early reports suggesting a potential partnership with Google for Gemini integration on iOS. However, more recent reports point to a partnership with OpenAI. Apple has been making efforts to strengthen its generative AI capabilities following the collapse of its electric car project. At WWDC, Apple is expected to showcase how generative AI will impact future versions of its operating systems, particularly iOS.
The centerpiece of the event will be the release of iOS 18, which is rumored to be one of the biggest updates in Apple’s history. Siri, Apple’s smart assistant, will receive a long-awaited refresh thanks to the company’s generative AI work. The update will make Siri more capable, allowing it to directly edit photos, delete emails, and perform other daily tasks. Additionally, Siri will have an improved voice, notification summaries, and an advanced version for Apple Watch. AI will also be integrated into Safari for more intelligent search, Notes for summarization, Voice Memos for transcriptions, and even emojis for customization in Messages. Users will also have more flexibility in customizing their home screen layout.
Mail will receive new AI-enabled features, such as making emails sound more professional and generating suggested email replies through Ajax. Apple also announced that RCS (Rich Communication Services) will be coming to Messages, allowing Android users to have a richer messaging experience. macOS 15 will also be debuted at WWDC, with updates in Siri, Notes, Safari, and Apple’s office apps. System Settings will continue the trend of turning macOS into iOS with a design refresh, as well as improvements in accessibility features. There will also be design changes to the Calculator app.
Although WWDC is primarily focused on software updates, there may be some hardware announcements. However, recent rumors suggest that the event will be light on hardware and may even be devoid of new product releases. Apple recently held a separate virtual event for the iPad, which debuted new versions of the iPad Pro and iPad Air. AI did not play a major role in that event, so Apple will need to impress with its AI capabilities at WWDC. While there may not be significant hardware announcements at WWDC, it is worth noting the debut of the new M4 chip on the iPad, indicating that MacBooks featuring the chip may not be far away. The upcoming iPhone A18 chip, which is expected to be a powerhouse for AI, will likely be showcased as well. Overall, WWDC 2024 promises to be an exciting event for developers and Apple enthusiasts alike, with a focus on generative AI and major updates to iOS and macOS.