- iOS 18 introduces AI-driven voice memo transcriptions, advanced photo retouching, and smarter Siri interactions.
- Enhanced search and smart summaries improve efficiency across emails, messages, and web browsing.
- Collaboration with OpenAI integrates ChatGPT into iPhones, emphasizing privacy and deeper functionality.
A major iOS 18 update is on the horizon, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most significant upgrades in Apple’s history.
Thanks to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we now have a sneak peek into some of the AI-driven features we can expect when the software is unveiled next month.
1. Voice Memo Transcription
Turning voice memos into text is becoming commonplace, and iOS 18 is set to join the trend. This feature will likely be integrated into the existing Voice Memos app, allowing you to easily transcribe your recordings into text.
2. Advanced Photo Retouching
Photo editing on iOS 18 will get a boost with AI-powered tools. You’ll be able to move or erase objects and optimize colors within your photos. These enhancements will likely be part of an upgraded Photos app.
3. Improved Search Functionality
Search across iOS 18 and macOS 15 is expected to become faster and more reliable, thanks to AI. Enhanced search results from multiple apps and improved natural language processing will make finding what you need easier and more intuitive.
4. Smart Automatic Replies
AI-generated responses are coming to Apple Mail and Messages. While the AI will suggest replies, you’ll still have the option to review and edit them before sending, making communication quicker without sacrificing personal touch.
5. Enhanced Safari Experience
Safari is getting a major update with AI-enhanced web searches. This will bring more relevant search results and quick summaries of the websites you visit, making browsing more efficient and informative.
6. More Natural Siri Interactions
Siri is set to become more conversational and responsive. With enhancements based on Apple’s large language models, Siri will sound more like a person and less like a bot, providing more natural interactions.
7. AI-Generated Emojis
A new and fun feature is AI-generated emojis. This will allow for the instant creation of custom emojis based on your text, ensuring you always have the perfect emoji for every message.
8. Smart Summaries
Expect to see smart summaries everywhere in iOS 18. These AI-generated summaries will condense emails, webpages, messages, and even notifications, saving you time and making information easier to digest.
9. Customizable Home Screen
While not strictly AI-related, iOS 18 will offer more freedom in home screen customization. You’ll be able to arrange app shortcuts in any layout and change their colors to fit your theme.
Apple and OpenAI Collaboration
In addition to these features, Apple is rumored to be partnering with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and Dall-E.
Apple’s AI models will handle core tasks, but for a full-fledged AI chatbot experience, they will integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into iPhones. This integration promises deeper functionality than simply using the ChatGPT app, though details are still under wraps.
Talks are also ongoing with Google to potentially offer Google Gemini as an alternative AI chatbot.
Emphasis on Privacy
Apple plans to highlight the privacy of its AI tools, both on-device and in the cloud, distinguishing them from competitors like Google and Meta.
Some of these AI features might debut with a ‘preview’ label, indicating they are still in development.
With these updates, iOS 18 promises to revolutionize how we interact with our devices, making everyday tasks easier and more intuitive.
We’ll hear more at the WWDC 2024 event on June 10. Stay tuned for these exciting developments!