At the highly anticipated WWDC 2024, Apple announced a suite of new features centred around artificial intelligence.
The keynote revealed Apple’s plan to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its operating systems, promising enhanced functionality for Siri and other applications. However, this move has led to huge controversy, notably from tech mogul Elon Musk.
During the keynote, Apple introduced “Apple Intelligence,” a new AI framework designed to bring advanced capabilities to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Key features include AI-driven enhancements for Siri, which will now be able to utilize ChatGPT to handle more complex queries.
This integration allows Siri to ask ChatGPT for help with user questions, presenting answers directly without needing to open the ChatGPT app. Additionally, Apple Intelligence includes tools for generating personalized AI images within messaging apps, designed to make conversations more enjoyable and interactive.
In a post-keynote WWDC 2024 event, Apple SVP Craig Federighi confirmed that the company would work with other third-party AI models beyond OpenAI, highlighting Google’s Gemini as a potential future partner. Federighi clarified that while there was nothing to announce immediately, this direction represents Apple’s commitment to expanding its AI capabilities.
New Features Across Apple’s Devices
Apple also introduced several other AI-driven features and enhancements across its devices:
InSight for Apple TV+: This new feature provides real-time information about actors and music during playback, similar to Amazon’s X-Ray. InSight includes Shazam-like functionality that identifies songs playing in TV shows or movies and allows users to add them to Apple Music playlists.
Smart Script for iPad: This feature improves handwriting recognition and note-taking with the Apple Pencil, using on-device machine learning to make handwriting smoother and more legible.
Apple’s New Passwords App: Simplifies password management by storing and syncing passwords across devices, with easy navigation for viewing all passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, passkeys, and non-website codes.
Tap to Cash: A new feature allowing users to transfer money by tapping together a pair of iPhones, leveraging NFC functionality for secure transactions without sharing personal information.
Calculator for iPad: Finally brings a dedicated calculator app to the iPad, featuring Math Notes that perform calculations directly within the app.
Messages via Satellite: Allows users to send messages via satellite when no cellular signal is available, similar to Apple’s emergency SOS feature.
Elon Musk’s Strong Opposition
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, quickly voiced his disapproval of Apple’s partnership with OpenAI. Musk took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to note his concerns about privacy and security, threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies if the integration proceeded as planned.
Apple also announced enhancements to its smart assistant, Siri, making it more natural and personal with the help of generative AI features. Siri can now handle speech stumbles better and understand context more accurately. Users can also type to Siri if they prefer, adding a new layer of interaction flexibility.
The new operating system version for Macs, macOS Sequoia, introduces iPhone mirroring, allowing users to control their iPhones from their Macs. Notifications on Mac can pop users into iPhone mirror mode, where iPhone audio comes through the Mac, but the paired iPhone stays locked.
Vision Pro and Other Updates
Apple’s Vision Pro headset is set to expand to eight new countries, featuring visionOS 2, which brings productivity enhancements and new immersive experiences. Users can now “spatialize” regular photos into 3D images, leveraging AI technology.
Additionally, the Photos app in iOS 18 will see significant updates, including new navigation and organizational features, making it easier to find and enjoy photos of friends, family, and memorable moments.
iOS 18 and Future Outlook
The upcoming iOS 18 promises to deliver more customization options for iPhone users, including the ability to place app icons and widgets freely on the home screen and support for dark mode icons. A new app lock feature will enhance security, allowing users to lock apps and require authentication to access them.
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