Apple isn’t releasing AI. Instead, you’re getting something better – Apple Intelligence

June 10, 2024 2 0

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Apple just held its WWDC 2024 developers conference. At the event, the Cupertino tech giant unveiled all of its new software coming later this year. iOS 18 was the biggest announcement, alongside all of Apple’s new AI features. Rather than just giving you AI, Apple is rolling out “Apple Intelligence” – something that’s more personal. That sounds pretty wishy-washy – but it’s very impressive.

Apple Intelligence puts AI models at the heart of your device. It draws from your usage, so it’s completely personal while keeping everything private. It will be able to create language, understand images, and take action. Beyond other AI models, it gets a large dose of personal intelligence. Everything is powered by on-device processing, so your data isn’t actually collected.

Siri is Apple Intelligence’s biggest change

Leading the charge in both is a new AI-powered Siri. This long overdue update to the smart assistant that often doesn’t seem so smart adds in AI smarts. Better than giving Siri more stuff to do, it means the assistant has a better shot at understanding you. The assistant has a new look, around the edges of your device instead of in the middle. Siri will remember the context of your conversation through subsequent messages. And the option to type is always there, making Siri more like an AI chatbot.

Apple Intelligence wants to succeed where Rabbit failed – doing actions on your behalf. Requests like “Play the podcast my wife sent the other day” are now possible. And you don’t have to speak perfectly every time. If you stumble over your words, change your mind, or throw in a “Oh, wait,” Siri will now understand.

Siri can also see and understand what’s on your screen. If someone texts you their new address, you can just ask Siri to add it to their contact card. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, Siri will know exactly what you mean. You can even control Apple features and settings now, which has been a major gripe. Question about how to use a product? Siri can tell you instead of searching for it.

Siri can even move through apps with you. Questions like “Show me my photos of Stacy in New York wearing her pink coat” will now work. A follow-up request like “Make it pop” will edit the photo. You can then ask Siri to add the photo to a document, and it will.

But your device is full of more features

Your iPhone will now prioritise your notifications, so you don’t miss anything important. Apple’s writing apps now have features like Proofread and Rewrite – that includes Mail and Notes, alongside the Pages and the rest. Your iPhone can now generate images on your device, which is built straight into communication and productivity apps. You can pick three styles: sketch, illustration, and animation.

All these features will work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Not all devices will be able to use these features, however. Since everything is processed on-device, you’ll need one of the latest models. That’s the iPhone 15 series or later, and any M-chip iPad or Mac. Better yet, things are only getting better. Apple Intelligence will keep getting new features.

Developing story, more to follow…