Apple is reportedly working to bridge the gap between the iPhones, and the Pixel and Galaxy phones. With AI continuing to be the buzz word, Samsung this year took a page from Google’s books and had AI at the centre of its new Galaxy S24 series –– just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones. Now, if reports are to be believed, Apple is taking the AI route too, and is going to roll out some big changes to the iPhone 16 series this year.
As is tradition, we can expect the iOS 18 to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June this year. And according to Mark Gurman, a reliable source on Apple-related news, the iOS 18 will come with substantial enhancements with a focus on AI features for iPhones. The latest iOS iteration is apparently considered within the company as possibly the most significant iOS update ever, as per Gurman’s recent newsletter.
In another report, Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring said that the year 2024 will mark the realisation of Apple’s ‘Edge AI’ potential. He suggests that this development might propel the upcoming series of iPhones to new heights. “If we are correct, and new LLM-enabled software features drive an upgrade cycle, then we see the potential for up to 15% upside to our FY25 iPhone shipment forecast,” wrote Woodring.
Basically, while Woodring and another analyst Ming Chi Kuo predict that Apple shipment numbers may decline in 2024, the former expects that with the AI-driven features in iPhone 16, Apple may once again see growth in shipments in 2025.
AI at the centre of iOS 18
Reportedly, iOS 18, codenamed Crystal, is designed to give the iPhone a substantial makeover, addressing long-standing requests from users, developers, and regulators, thereby aiming to meet various expectations and demands. The update will “satisfy many longstanding requests from users, developers and regulators,” read the newsletter.
Essentially, as with the Pixel 8 series and Galaxy S24 series, iOS 18 will also have generative AI at the centre of it all. The update is expected to significantly enhance Siri’s capabilities, making it smarter and more adept at handling intricate tasks. Reports suggest that Apple might employ a Large Language Model for Siri, enabling it to tackle complex commands more effectively.
Not just Gen AI features, iOS 18 will reportedly bring ambitious changes across various aspects of the iPhone. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, reportedly informed his team last year about the extensive modifications anticipated in the new OS. Reportedly, the RCS compatibility will also be rolled out with iOS 18.
Some notable updates expected with iOS 18 include a revamped Siri utilising advanced AI systems, AI features in the Messages app capable of answering questions and completing sentences, and AI enhancements in Apple Music for creating automatically generated playlists. Additionally, generative AI features are anticipated in iPhone work apps like Keynote and Pages, along with Xcode receiving tools that aid developers in writing new applications more efficiently.
AI isn’t a new thing in iOS
With iOS 18 and iPhone 16 phones, we can hope to see AI embedded more deeply into the ecosystem, but this would not be the first time Apple employs AI or machine learning into its products. In fact, for a number of years now, Apple has incorporated machine learning into iOS and various other products. The initial practical application emerged with Apple’s software keyboard on the iPhone. Employing predictive machine learning, Apple enhanced accuracy by deciphering the specific letter a user intended to input. Additionally, the algorithm’s purpose extended to predicting the subsequent word the user was likely to type. The predictive text on the iOS keyboard also made it quite popular in the industry. Currently, Apple seamlessly integrates machine learning into virtually every aspect of iOS. Whether it’s photo searches, interactions with Siri, FaceID, or event suggestions, machine learning plays a pervasive role throughout the iOS ecosystem.
Alex Mitchell is your go-to expert for all things mobile. With a passion for the latest smartphones, apps, and mobile innovations, Alex provides in-depth reviews, insightful analyses, and breaking news about the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Stay connected with Alex to navigate the fast-paced realm of mobile devices.
