It will be soon Talk about the next major operating system updates, giving developers a chance to get their apps ready before they roll out widely this fall. The company’s Worldwide Developers Conference is just around the corner. Apple will certainly reveal some of the key features of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, as well as what lies ahead for the likes of watchOS, macOS and visionOS at WWDC 2024.
Given the current tech climate, it’s likely that Apple is about to follow its rivals by making a big leap into the field of generative artificial intelligence. This may be the main focus of the keynote, as these are the only two letters investors care to hear these days.
The Apple rumor mill never stops churning, so we’ve heard some details about what WWDC will bring. It’s unlikely we’ll get any major hardware announcements at the event, but you’ll never know until Tim Cook wraps things up. After all, we saw the Apple Vision Pro make its first appearance at the recent WWDC.
Anyway, here’s what to expect from Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote:
When is WWDC 2024?
WWDC 2024 starts on June 10th and runs until June 14th. Various events will take place throughout the week, but the main focus will be on Apple’s keynote. You will be able to watch the main speech apple.comApple Developer app, Apple TV app and Apple’s YouTube channel.
The keynote is where Apple tends to reveal many key features for the next major versions of its major operating systems: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and likely visionOS. Apple has also used the WWDC keynote to introduce new hardware over the years, though we expect it to be less of a concern this time around.
AI
While Apple often shies away from uttering “AI” at its events, there’s no getting away from the big tech buzzwords of the past two years. Generative AI is rapidly penetrating more aspects of our lives, and Apple is poised to grab a piece of that pie.
It is believed that Apple still does not have its own AI chatbot ready for primetime. However, the company has reached an agreement with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18. , Apple is still interested in reaching a deal with Google to offer that company’s Gemini AI assistant on iPhones as well, but that may not happen until further down the line. Siri, meanwhile, is expected to get an upgrade on compatible devices using Apple’s own extensive language models.
Apple’s approach to generative AI in both iOS 18 and macOS 15 is said to be a practical approach based on helping ordinary people in their daily lives, rather than allowing them to create long texts that they can quickly sell as e-books, for example. dollars. Instead, you’re more likely to see GAI features like email and message replies, TL;DR text summarization, voice memo transcriptions (finally!), and improved photo touch-up tools offered in the main apps.
Apple is expected to handle as much of the AI processing on the device as it can, with the rest being sent to data centers. This raises questions about how Apple will ensure user privacy, one of the company’s core principles. It will need to explain how it keeps user data secure as it travels between the device and the data center.
iOS 18 / iPadOS 18
As usual, They come as part of the iOS and iPadOS apps. Arguably the most notable is the anticipated presentation To messages.
GMSA’s RCS, or Rich Communication Service, is a messaging protocol more advanced than three decades of SMS. RCS is more secure than old school SMS because . It enables enhanced media sharing with high quality images, video and audio clips. RCS enables proper group chats and also supports Wi-Fi messaging.
And yet for years Apple refused to bring RCS to its platform – something Google did long ago — to keep iMessage more like a walled garden. Of course, iMessage itself has the same features as RCS. At one point, Apple CEO Tim Cook It was “buy mom an iPhone” to someone who wanted improved Android text compatibility so she could share videos with her mom.
apple In the RCS position last year, perhaps to ensure compliance with strict EU regulations. The company has said it will enable RCS support in 2024, so it makes sense that the feature will debut in iOS 18. This means that messaging between iOS and Android is going to be better for the foreseeable future (even if texts from Android devices still look like this). green bubbles on iPhone). Meanwhile, Google has started allowing Android users within a 15-minute window after dispatch.
Gurman also mentioned that Apple will likely support the creation of custom emojis based on what you type in text messages. It looks like you’ll also be able to change the colors of app icons on your home screen, and you’ll no longer have to keep apps locked to a rigid network system.
Apple Music An auto-generated playlist feature following an OpenAI-powered tool from Spotify . Individual routes and topographical maps (which ) is said to be on its way to Apple Maps. In addition, Apple is rumored to add a voice recording tool to Notes, which will go well with the expected transcription feature, as well as the option to display mathematical notation.
Other major apps are said to be eligible for some changes, such as generative AI features in productivity apps like Keynote and Pages. Others such as Mail, Fitness and Health are also expected to get new features, but details have not yet been leaked.
Calculator
This long-awaited update deserves its own section. That’s right, it’s said to have a Calculator app On iPhone and Mac. Snarkiness aside, the update actually sounds like it’ll be useful, with Notes app integration, improved unit conversions, and a sidebar showing recent activity. It is said that the program will also come to iPadOS.
macOS 15
Let’s take a wild guess right out of the gate here and declare that Apple will name the next version of macOS after a notable place in California. In all seriousness, this would be the least shocking thing Apple could do on the main stage.
There are many iOS app updates Apple Music will be repeated in macOS 15, as will Notes and productivity changes. Rumors suggest that Apple is reorganizing the System Settings app based on the importance and priority of different categories, so the General tab is expected to fall, while Sounds and Notifications are expected to drop down the list.
Elsewhere, Siri’s menu bar icon may get a new look, with a flat monochrome design expected to replace the current colorful version. There may also be some welcome accessibility improvements, such as a Shortcuts option that allows users to trigger a specific setting or action using a specific spoken phrase.
Apple hardware
Last year it was WWDC , Apple finally announced the Vision Pro, along with the Mac Pro and Mac Studio powered by the 15-inch MacBook Air and M2 Ultra. However, we don’t expect much from Apple on the hardware front this time around.
Company simply It just updated the iPad lineup and is probably a little early for any new laptops and . Of course, the iPhones will be locked away until September, as will the next Apple watch. However, Apple may take the opportunity to put M3 or even M4 chips into other desktop systems that remain within the M2 generation.
We could also see some refreshed peripherals and other devices. There is always the possibility that Apple will introduce () AirPods Max version with USB-C charging port.
In January 2023, Gurman said that the new Apple TV box will arrive in the first half of 2024. There is still plenty of time for that to happen. There is a possibility that Apple may also add a camera to the Apple TV. In this case, there will be no need to use it on the biggest screen in your home.
Apple Vision Pro
On the hardware side, one thing we’re waiting for is Apple to reveal where the Vision Pro is headed next. Until now, the headset was only available in the US. That will probably change in the coming weeks and months. They suggested that the next phase of the launch would include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the UK. However, there hasn’t been much in terms of visionOS 2 leaks so far, so it’s unclear what updates the mixed reality operating system will get.
Everything else
The rumor mill has also been silent on watchOS updates. There’s sure to be some notable changes to Apple’s wearable operating system, but we could be in for a relatively minor iteration of watchOS after last year’s massive overhaul.
It’s rare that tvOS gets so much love during an Apple keynote, but it’s bound to get an update, which we’ll find out about sometime during WWDC. You may have to wait until the State of the Platforms Union event at 4pm ET to find out. The same goes for CarPlay and HomePod.
Note that none of this is certain until Cook, Craig Federighi, and others hit the WWDC keynote stage and begin the next round of discussions for Apple’s products and services. But based on reports from several Apple-centric journalists with a strong track record of fixing things, we expect to hear about many of the aforementioned updates and announcements.
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