It will soon be the turn to talk about the next major updates to the operating system, giving developers the opportunity to prepare their applications before a widespread release this fall. The company's Worldwide Developers Conference is just around the corner. Apple is sure to reveal some of the key features of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, as well as what's in store for watchOS, macOS, and visionOS at WWDC 2024.
However, given the current technological climate, it seems likely that Apple is about to follow its rivals and make a big leap into the realm of generative ai. That could be a major theme of the conference, since those are the only two letters investors seem to give a damn about hearing these days.
Apple rumors never stop churning, so we've heard a few snippets about what WWDC might entail. It seems unlikely that we'll get any major hardware announcements at the event, but you never really know until Tim Cook wraps up. After all, we saw the Apple Vision Pro make its first appearance at the last WWDC.
In any case, here's what to expect from Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote:
When is WWDC 2024?
WWDC 2024 begins on June 10 and runs until June 14. There will be a variety of events throughout the week, but most of the attention will be on Apple's keynote, which you can watch at apple.comthe Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and Apple's YouTube channel.
The keynote is where Apple usually reveals many of the key features for the next major versions of its main operating systems: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and most likely visionOS. Apple has also used the WWDC keynote to introduce new hardware over the years, although we hope it's less worrying this time around.
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Although Apple has largely avoided saying “ai” too often during its events, there's no escaping the big tech buzzword of the past two years. Generative ai is quickly infiltrating more aspects of our lives, and Apple seems poised to take a piece of that pie.
It is believed that Apple does not yet have its own ai chatbot ready for prime time. While it continues to insist on that, the company has reportedly reached a deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18. According toai-features-project-greymatter-privacy-openai-deal-lwni63s3″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “> , Apple is still interested in striking a deal with Google to offer that company's Gemini ai assistant on iPhones as well, but that may not happen until later. Meanwhile, Siri is expected to get an update on all supported devices that use Apple's big language models.
Apple's approach to generative ai in both iOS 18 and macOS 15 is said to be hands-on, based on helping regular people in their everyday lives rather than allowing them, for example, to quickly generate large amounts of text that can sell as ebooks for a quick time. dollar. Instead, you're more likely to see GAI features like suggested emails and message replies, TL;DR text summaries, voice memo transcriptions (finally!), and improved photo retouching tools in the core apps.
Apple is expected to handle as much of the ai processing on the device as possible, with the rest sent to data centers. That raises questions about how Apple will ensure user privacy, one of the company's founding principles. You will need to explain how user information is kept secure while moving between the device and a data center.
iOS 18/iPadOS 18
As usual, They are coming to a wide range of iOS and iPadOS apps. Arguably most notable is the long-awaited introduction of Messages.
GMSA's RCS, or Rich Communications Service, is a more advanced messaging protocol than the three-decade-old SMS. RCS is more secure than old school SMS as it . Enables enhanced media sharing, with high-resolution images, videos, and audio clips. RCS allows for proper group chats and also supports Wi-Fi messaging.
And yet, for years, Apple refused to add RCS to its platform (something Google had long been) to keep iMessage more of a walled garden. Of course, iMessage has many of the same features as RCS. At one point, Apple CEO Tim Cook told someone he asked for better texting support with Android so he could share videos with his mother: “buy your mom an iPhone.”
Apple on its RCS stance last year, possibly to ensure it complies with strict EU regulations. The company said it would enable RCS support in 2024, so it makes sense that this feature would debut in iOS 18. That means messaging between iOS and Android should be much better in the near future (even if text messages from Android devices will still appear as green bubbles on an iPhone). Meanwhile, Google just started allowing Android users to submit within 15 minutes.
Gurman also noted that Apple will likely support generating custom emojis based on what you type in text messages. It looks like you'll also be able to change the colors of app icons on your home screen, and you'll no longer have to keep apps locked to a rigid grid system.
apple musicai-revamping-siri-search-apple-music-and-other-apps-lo1ffr7p?sref=10lNAhZ9″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:may gain;cpos:13;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “> an automatically generated playlist feature, following an OpenAI-powered tool that Spotify. Custom routes and topographic maps are said to be on the way to Apple Maps. Additionally, Apple is rumored to be adding a voice recording tool to Notes, which would fit in nicely with the expected transcription feature, as well as the option to display mathematical notation.
Other major apps are reportedly about to get some changes, such as generative ai features in productivity apps like Keynote and Pages. Others like Mail, Fitness, and Health are also expected to get new features, but details have yet to leak.
Calculator
This long-awaited update deserves its own section. That's right, the Calculator app is said to be on iPhone and Mac. Sarcasm aside, the revamp actually looks like it will be useful, with Notes app integration, improved unit conversions, and a sidebar that lists activity recent. The app is also said to be coming to iPadOS.
macos 15
Let's take a wild guess and declare that Apple will name the next version of macOS after a notable location in California. In all seriousness, that would be the least impactful thing Apple could do on the main stage.
Many of the iOS app updates are that will be replicated in macOS 15, such as Apple Music, Notes and productivity changes. Rumors suggest that Apple is reorganizing the System Settings app based on the importance and priority of different categories, so the General tab is likely to rise while Sound & Notifications are expected to move down the list.
Elsewhere, the Siri menu bar icon may get a new look with a flat monochrome design expected to replace the current colorful version. There may also be some welcome accessibility improvements, such as a Shortcuts option that allows users to activate a certain setting or action using a custom spoken phrase.
Apple Hardware
Last year's WWDC was , and Apple finally announced the Vision Pro alongside the 15-inch MacBook Air and the M2 Ultra-powered Mac Pro and Mac Studio. However, this time we don't expect much from Apple on the hardware front.
The company fair updated its iPad lineup and it's probably too early for any new laptop given the and . Of course, the iPhones will remain a secret until September, as will the upcoming Apple Watches. However, Apple may take the opportunity to insert its M3 or even M4 chips into its other desktop systems, which remain stuck in the M2 generation.
We were able to see some updated peripherals and other devices as well. There's always a chance that Apple will introduce a version () of the AirPods Max with a USB-C charging port.
In January 2023, Gurmanamazon-and-google?sref=10lNAhZ9″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:reported;cpos:22;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “> that a new Apple TV box would arrive in the first half of 2024. There is still enough time for that to happen. There is a possibility that Apple will also add a camera to the Apple TV. In that case, you wouldn't need to use it on the largest screen in your home.
Apple Vision Pro
One thing we're hoping for on the hardware side is for Apple to reveal where the Vision Pro is headed. Until now, the headphones were only available in the US. That will likely change in the coming weeks and months. have suggested that the next phase of the rollout will include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom. However, there haven't been many leaks in terms of visionOS 2 so far, so it's unclear what kind of updates the mixed reality operating system will receive.
Everything else
Rumors have also been silent about watchOS updates. There are sure to be some notable changes to Apple's wearable operating system, but we could be getting a relatively minor iteration of watchOS after last year's massive overhaul.
It's rare for tvOS to get a lot of love during an Apple presentation, but it's sure to get an update that we'll learn about at some point during WWDC. You may have to wait until the Platforms State of the Union event at 4 pm ET to get the scoop. The same goes for CarPlay and HomePod.
Keep in mind that none of this is certain until people like Cook, Craig Federighi, and others hit the main stage at WWDC and start discussing what's next for Apple products and services. But based on reports from several Apple-focused journalists with a strong track record of getting things right, we expect to hear many of the above updates and announcements.
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