Apple is gearing up for a significant milestone with the much-anticipated release of the iOS 18 update, scheduled for unveiling during the annual WWDC event in June. Promising to be the most extensive iOS update in the company’s history, Apple aims to inject a potent dose of AI capabilities into its mobile ecosystem.
The AI Landscape: Apple’s Position
The tech landscape is currently ablaze with the prominence of artificial intelligence, captivating major players like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Meta. These industry giants are fervently integrating AI features into their product collections, particularly in the realm of smartphones. Google’s Pixel 8 series showcased AI-driven functionalities last year, while Samsung announced AI enhancements for its Galaxy S24 lineup, amplifying the competition in the AI race. Despite the enthusiastic AI activity, Apple has been relatively subdued in its AI endeavors.
Unveiling The iOS 18: Countdown Begins
Although Apple’s iPhone 15 series debuted with substantial upgrades last year, the company remained discreet on any noteworthy AI advancements. However, Apple’s engagement with AI innovation seems imminent. Reports suggest that Apple is poised to unveil a groundbreaking leap in AI integration with the impending iOS 18 update. According to insights shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s WWDC keynote in June 2024 will herald the arrival of iOS 18, advertised as a transformative update with a excess of AI-centric features. Gurmaan emphasizes, “I’m told that the new operating system is seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates—if not the biggest—in the company’s history.”
In his recent Power On newsletter, Gurman sheds light on the iOS 18 overhaul, asserting that it will address long-standing user, developer, and regulatory demands, delivering a much-needed rejuvenation to the iPhone experience. Among the headline features is an extensive integration of generative AI, promising to elevate Siri’s intelligence and functionality. Earlier speculations hinted at Apple leveraging a Large Language Model to empower Siri with the capability to tackle complex tasks.
Apple’s Vision: AI powered IOS 18
However, the AI infusion doesn’t stop there. Gurman reveals that iOS 18, codenamed Crystal, will usher in a countless of ambitious changes across the iOS ecosystem. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, reportedly expressed to his team last year that the upcoming OS update would introduce sweeping enhancements on multiple fronts, underscoring the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Here are five potential features that Apple could introduce with the iOS 18 update:
- RCS Support
iMessage will finally integrate RCS protocol, facilitating seamless messaging between Android and iOS devices while maintaining the blue and green bubble convention.
- Enhanced Siri with AI
Apple plans to equip Siri with ChatGPT-like generative AI capabilities, possibly leveraging OpenAI’s GPT technology. This enhancement extends to various apps like Notes and Music, and may include AI-powered photo and video editing features.
- App Sideloading
Following its debut in Europe with iOS 17.4, app sideloading could become a global feature with iOS 18, allowing users to download and install apps from third-party stores after initial verification.
- Third-Party Payment Gateway
iOS 18 may introduce support for third-party payment gateways for app subscriptions, potentially reducing fees by up to 30%. Companies like Spotify and Epic are already developing their gateways, initially targeting the European market.
- Improved Web Browsers
iOS 18 might enable the creation of powerful web browsers without relying on Apple’s WebKit framework. This move could revolutionize web browsing on iPhones, empowering developers to design fully customized browsing experiences.
As anticipation stands for the iOS 18 debut, Apple enthusiasts and industry observers alike await eagerly to witness the dawn of a new era in AI-powered mobile experiences, poised to redefine the way we interact with our devices.
