What’s next? For Apple, it’s not just AI, it’s Apple Intelligence.
The company unveiled plans for iOS 18 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicked off on Monday, highlighting upcoming features including the integration of AI and machine learning across its devices and software, redesigned Photos, and a smarter Siri.
We also provided a live recap and discussion of the keynote on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel and social media platforms, so be sure to tune in and let us know what you thought of Apple’s updates.
Here’s what was announced during Apple’s WWDC keynote:
AI = Apple Intelligence
Apple is embracing the power of generative modeling and how it enhances existing software with Apple Intelligence.
Capabilities include cross-app actions, such as seamlessly performing tasks on your behalf.
The company also announced private cloud computing and privacy protections for Apple Intelligence to give users control over their data.
Siri is getting smarter and more “natural, relevant and personal.” A demo of the Siri updates showed how the virtual assistant can better cross-reference information and respond to conversational language to take actions, making it more helpful to users. The Siri changes are coming to Macs and iPads as well as iPhones.
Apple Intelligence also helps with writing, including emails and other documents, with proofreading and rewriting features like tone, summarization and editing. There’s also a Smart Reply option. Summarization also appears in emails, and high priority messages are also identified.
Apple has also partnered with ChatGPT, so Siri may use ChatGPT to supplement its responses, but it will ask for user permission first to do so.
Genmoji
Apple Intelligence also extends to Emoji: These Genmoji can be created in Messages using a variety of natural search language, including themes, concepts, accessories, and locations.
In addition to Messages, Genmoji will also be available in the Keynote, Pages and Freeform apps, along with the Image Wand in the Notes app’s tool palette, and there will also be a dedicated new Image Playground app.
MacOS
The Sequoia operating system also has some new features. Continuity includes “iPhone Mirroring,” which allows iPhone notifications to appear on your Mac alongside your Mac notifications. Tapping on the notification will show the iPhone app on your Mac, but your iPhone will remain locked so no one can see what’s being mirrored.
For Safari, the update includes profiles and translations, and Apple is introducing Highlights, a feature that uses machine learning to find relevant information and highlight it as you browse.
The redesigned Reader experience now includes video viewing as an option to work without distractions.
More advanced games are coming to the Mac: Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on the Mac when it releases later this year.
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iPadOS 18
Changes in iPadOS include many of those announced last month, as well as those announced in iOS 18. Also included are Smart Scripts, changes to the Freeform app, and a Calculator app finally coming to iPad, along with Math Notes, which integrates mathematical functions into handwritten notes using Apple Pencil.
WatchOS 11
The latest software update for Apple Watch adds redesigned watch faces, a more intelligent Smart Stack, and other features to help you stay active and monitor your health.
It gives you more insights, an overview tab and the ability to tailor your goals by day of the week. Apple is also introducing a new Vitals app.
For watch faces, machine learning helps find the best image from your photos for your watch face.
Audio and Home
Coming to Apple TV+, InSight will allow users to identify actors, see character and song information in real time, and add songs to their Apple Music playlists.
Changes to apps in iOS 18
Photos: Apple is introducing the “biggest redesign ever” for the Photos app, including new smart collections, carousels, and organizational features like recent dates and screenshot organization.
Maps. New topographical maps and hiking trails including national parks.
Wallet, which allows users to share cash without sharing other personal information or event tickets with โTap to Cash,โ will have a new design and new features.
Messages. In Messages, users can tap back on any emoji or sticker and schedule messages to send later. Messages now have more formatting options, including strikethrough, italics and other technology effects, which can be added to any text.
iOS18 Update
The upcoming iPhone operating system, iOS 18, will have a new dark look and will allow users to see and color the customization sheet, but perhaps one of the biggest changes will be to the Control Center, which will be revamped and made available to third-party developers.
There’s a new control gallery with new options that allow users to resize and adjust apps, as well as tweak lock screen options and reprogram action buttons and other functions.
iOS 18 gives you even more ways to protect your privacy, like locking apps (so that app information can’t be seen elsewhere) and hiding apps. You can also lock or limit access to contacts and accessories.
Vision OS
Apple has announced Vision OS 2, the first major software update for its Vision Pro devices.
Updates include hand gestures to bring up the home menu and access notifications on your Mac’s virtual display, train support in Travel mode, changes to photos and videos, and more.
Users will be able to create spatial photos from images already stored in their camera roll, as well as experience panoramas with others using the share option. Users will be able to create spatial content, which Apple says will be easier to create, and will also be able to capture spatial video for the Immersive Video feature.
Canon will also be offering a new lens that will enable spatial video capture, due to be available this fall.
Vision Pro will be available in more countries soon.
Apple TV+
Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off his speech with an update on Apple TV+, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. The streaming platform is teasing upcoming developments during the keynote, including new seasons of “Severance” and “Shrinking,” as well as new movies like “Wolfs,” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney.