Big updates to Siri, AI, photos, Apple Watch and more
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 was held today, and as expected, it came with some big announcements about what’s coming to Apple products in the next few months and years. The updates include Apple Intelligence, a built-in AI model that’s coming to Apple’s operating systems. Also announced were changes to Siri, new photo features, ChatGPT integration and more.
While no new products are available just yet, the updates to operating systems could show up in system updates before Apple releases any new product lines.
The updates were previewed for Apple Watch, iPad, iOS and more. Read on to see what Apple has in the works.
Apple Intelligence
The first (and arguably) biggest update is Apple Intelligence, a form of AI that Apple is working on that will be available in operating systems for several different types of devices in the brand’s ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad and Mac.
“We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users,” CEO Tim Cook said. “Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”
watchOS 11
WatchOS 11 was previewed during WWDC 2024, including new features like Vitals, an app that highlights key health information for users so you can always stay on top of changes in your heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, blood oxygen and other important metrics.
WatchOS 11 will also come with new features for health tracking during pregnancy and more customization for its fitness tracking “ring” features.
But it isn’t all about fitness. WatchOS 11 brings the translate app to Apple Watch and expands the convenient double tap gesture to more apps, making this smartwatch more productive than ever before.
iPadOS 18
For tablet users, iPadOS 18 will include Apple Intelligence, which will make iPads smarter than ever with new AI features. One of the coolest new developments is improvements to how the tablet will work with Apple Pencil. It’s getting smarter at reading and interpreting handwritten notes. For example, the new OS will enable you to write out a math problem with your Apple Pencil, which Apple Intelligence can translate and solve using a new, smarter calculator app.
visionOS 2
Apple previewed visionOS 2 at WWDC 2024, showing how users will soon be able to create spatial photos from the images they already have in their libraries. What does that mean? You can take a photo you took on an Apple device and turn it into a panorama or 3D image with just a few taps or clicks. It’s all powered by AI that helps fill in the space around the image, giving it a lifelike feel. Even better is the ability to share spatial images with others, so you can all feel like you’re in the same space.
iOS 18
Finally, Apple gave users a sneak peek at iOS 18, its upcoming mobile OS that will incorporate Apple Intelligence. Where the AI really shines on iPhones is in how Siri has been updated to be smarter, more capable and more relevant than ever. Not only is voice search becoming more personal with this new update, but it also includes a ChatGPT integration built right into the operating system, so you’ll have access to more tools than ever before on your iPhone.
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