Will there be new hardware at WWDC this year?
Historically, what has been the focus of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)?
Historically, the focus of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has been primarily on software. The event is used to showcase new software and technologies in Apple's various operating systems, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Additionally, the conference is also used to introduce new developer tools and occasionally, hardware products or service updates. However, the primary focus has always been on providing developers with the opportunity to learn about Apple's latest updates and advancements in software and to engage with Apple engineers and experts.
What is the first major software update for Vision Pro expected to entail?
The first major software update for Vision Pro is expected to bring improvements to the device's Personas and EyeSight features. Personas are digital representations of users shown in video calls, while EyeSight uses an external display to show the Vision Pro wearer's eyes if there are other people in the room. These features aim to make the Vision Pro experience less isolating. The update is also expected to introduce mobile device management support for using email, contact, and calendars for enterprise users. Additionally, it may include bug fixes and other tweaks to enhance the overall user experience.
Can you detail the AI-centric features anticipated to be included in iOS 18?
iOS 18 is anticipated to bring a host of AI-centric features that aim to enhance the user experience and make AI more mainstream. Here are some of the key AI features expected in iOS 18:
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Smarter Siri: Siri is expected to become more conversational and better at understanding context. It will gain the ability to handle multi-step tasks and have a deeper awareness of user data like contacts, appointments, and locations for more personalized responses.
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Auto-generated Emojis: iOS 18 may allow users to create custom emojis on the fly using generative AI. These emojis will be based on the content of a user's messages, providing all-new emoji for any occasion beyond the existing catalog4.
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Photo Retouching: AI-powered photo editing tools are expected to be introduced, allowing users to remove unwanted objects or people from images, adjust colors, and apply filters with simple voice commands4.
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Voice Memo Transcription: The Voice Memo app is rumored to gain AI-powered transcription capabilities, making it easier to search and navigate through recorded audio4.
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Suggested Replies to Emails and Messages: Similar to Google's Smart Reply feature, iOS 18 may offer suggested responses to emails and messages based on the content of the communication4.
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Improved Safari Web Search: AI is expected to enhance search capabilities in Safari, providing faster and more accurate results.
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AI-Powered Health & Fitness Coaching: Apple is reportedly working on an AI-powered health and fitness coaching feature to help users improve their exercise, eating habits, and sleep patterns.
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AI-Assisted Coding in Xcode: Apple may introduce an AI-assisted coding feature in Xcode, similar to GitHub Copilot, to help developers complete their code more efficiently.
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Smart Recaps of Notifications and Messages: AI will be used to generate summaries of missed notifications, individual messages, web pages, news articles, documents, and notes.
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Developer Tools for Xcode: AI features that require less processing power will run entirely on-device, but more demanding tools will operate via the cloud. Apple will tout the privacy advantages of this plan.
These features are expected to make AI more accessible and practical for everyday users, helping to bring AI into the mainstream.