For followers of Apple’s merchandise and companies, there’s at all times anticipation main up to the corporate’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This 12 months, that suspense is in excessive gear, because the world awaits Apple’s response to the AI increase sweeping the tech business.
The iPhone maker has been characteristically tight-lipped about what’s to come throughout its WWDC keynote, however there’s been loads of hypothesis about what the corporate would possibly showcase. Here’s what we all know to this point, beginning with how to watch the occasion.
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How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote
The WWDC keynote begins at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on Monday, June 10. You can catch it on Apple’s occasion web site, or on the corporate’s YouTube channel.
What to anticipate
WWDC is a software-focused occasion, that means we do not sometimes see a variety of {hardware} updates (you will possible want to look ahead to Apple’s anticipated fall occasion to hear in regards to the subsequent iPhone). Last 12 months’s builders convention was a notable exception, with the disclosing of the Vision Pro. But based mostly on rumors and hypothesis, it is possible Apple will this 12 months concentrate on touting its software program capabilities and AI-powered updates.
AI
Amid a wave of AI releases from corporations like OpenAI, Microsoft, Samsung and Google, Apple undoubtedly has some catching up to do. That’s why AI will possible be a centerpiece of this 12 months’s WWDC.
We anticipate to see these new AI capabilities woven into iOS 18, although maybe extra subtly. A report from Bloomberg suggests Apple will incorporate AI by the use of options like voice memo transcriptions, sooner search and a extra conversational Siri. It might additionally introduce an AI function that summarizes information tales, paperwork and notifications, basically giving a “smart recap” of what you have missed. Bloomberg additionally notes that Apple’s AI will “create custom emojis on the fly, based on what users are texting.”
Some of those updates will reportedly be powered by on-device AI that works with out an web connection, permitting the corporate to lean into its concentrate on privateness and safety. AI capabilities may even seem in MacOS 15, in accordance to Bloomberg, with the Apple Watch getting an upgraded Siri, too.
Read extra: From iOS 18 to Siri Upgrades, New AI Features to Expect on the iPhone
There are additionally experiences that Apple is working with OpenAI to combine the corporate’s tech into iOS 18. Previous experiences pointed to Apple holding comparable talks with Google about incorporating its Gemini AI system, however it seems these discussions in the end might not have led to a partnership.
Apple would possibly give extra particulars about how the iPhone will help RCS texting, which ought to enhance texting between iPhones and Android telephones.
Other software program updates, from messaging to accessibility
In addition to iOS and MacOS, we anticipate updates to arrive throughout the corporate’s different working methods, together with iPadOS and VisionOS.
Some of those updates have already been introduced and are slated for launch later this 12 months, like Eye Tracking on iPad and iPhone, and Live Captions on VisionOS. So we might hear extra about these accessibility-related updates and an actual timeline of their availability.
Another function we would get updates on is RCS messaging on iPhone. Late final 12 months, Apple stated it could undertake RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging, a protocol that replaces SMS (Short Message Service) and is able to most of the similar options as iMessage, together with typing indicators, high-resolution media sharing and end-to-end encryption. Because RCS is already out there throughout a variety of Android units, this could make texting between Android telephones and iPhones extra seamless (although it is unlikely these dreaded inexperienced bubbles will ever go away).
Apple’s adoption of RCS can be a well timed change to reiterate, given the Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust go well with towards Apple. The go well with accuses the iPhone maker of hindering competitors and says the corporate “undermines cross-platform messaging” by not making its iMessage service out there on Android. WWDC can be a superb time for Apple to spotlight its efforts to bridge that hole.
New, AI-packed chips
It would not be WWDC with out speak of chips. We’ll possible hear in regards to the subsequent iPhone’s processor, presumably known as the A18. It’s anticipated to convey — shock, shock — higher AI efficiency, in accordance to Taiwanese information outlet Economic Daily News and analyst Jeff Pu. This would align with Apple’s new M4 chips in its up to date iPad Pro tablets, which the corporate says are extra highly effective, environment friendly and function improved machine studying for AI-based duties. Now, it is the iPhone’s flip to get an AI improve.
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