iOS 18: The Star of the Show

Apple is set to introduce iOS 18, a new version of the operating system that our iPhones use. This one is rumored to be “one of the biggest iOS updates–if not the biggest–in the company’s history,” Mark Gurman wrote in his latest Power On newsletter. The 41st edition of WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) starts this coming Monday, and here’s my take as to why it may be a big deal.

Fun Fact: Did you know WWDC is one of the longest-running tech conferences, having started in 1983? Iconic announcements like the first iPhone in 2007 and groundbreaking technologies like ARKit and Siri have all been unveiled here. The event attracts thousands of attendees each year, and even in its virtual format due to the pandemic, it continues to draw a massive global audience. This year Apple is expected to announce their first major step into AI, and they are calling their version “Apple Intelligence”.

A Software-Only Affair + RCS

In a notable shift, this year’s WWDC is expected to focus entirely on software. While hardware reveals are always thrilling, this focus underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience across its ecosystem. It’s about refining what already exists, making our interactions smoother, smarter, and more intuitive. Along with software, my guess is you can expect a lot of “AI” and a little of “RCS” to be mentioned.

Another expected feature that iOS 18 could bring is RCS support. This reversal follows public pressure on Apple to support RCS on iPhones. It’s worth noting, though, that despite adopting RCS, messages sent from an Android user to an iPhone will still appear in green bubbles. Apple previously announced in November that it plans to add support for the RCS standard on iOS in 2024. Apple stated this move would provide a better interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS.

Apple and OpenAI: A Power Duo

A standout headline is Apple’s partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration promises to push the boundaries of AI within Apple's ecosystem. Expect AI to be added to various applications, providing more intelligent search in Safari, summarization in Notes, and transcriptions in Voice Memos—features Google has been championing for some time. Generative AI will even extend to emojis, allowing users to customize and create their own in Messages. It’s unclear still as to which features will be powered by OpenAI and which others will be powered by Apple’s AI “Apple Intelligence” itself.

Yes! Siri is set to receive a long-awaited refresh, courtesy of Apple’s generative AI work. Look forward to an improved voice, notification summaries, and an advanced version of Siri for Apple Watch. It’s about time Siri steps up to meet modern expectations. Even GPT-4o voices are already 10x better than Siri.

What’s more, there’s buzz about Siri’s improved contextual understanding. Imagine Siri not just responding to commands, but predicting needs based on ongoing tasks. If you're halfway through an email, Siri might suggest relevant attachments or even draft follow-up messages. Such proactive assistance could transform how we interact with AI on a daily basis. While Google has offered this feature for some time, it’s particularly noteworthy now because the majority of mobile users in the US use iPhones running iOS, that sits at 60% of the market.

My Take

WWDC 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark event in Apple’s history. The partnership with OpenAI and the profound integration of AI across Apple’s ecosystem signify a late yet-bold step into the future. These advancements have the potential to elevate our daily interactions with iPhones, making life feel a lot smarter.

Apple has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation in one way or another, and this year’s WWDC promises to be no exception. The event, starting later today (Monday), is set to unveil transformative technologies that could redefine how we interact with our devices. As someone who has been passionate about tech, iOS and jailbreaking since my early teens, this focus on mostly software development is particularly exciting. I've often wondered what these advancements will mean for us in five years. My take is that within the next five years, we’ll likely see AI assistants starting to become a more integrated part of our daily lives, subtly enhancing how we interact with technology and streamline our routines. As of 2024, around 143 million Americans own an iPhone. That’s a significant number of people, given that the U.S. is the (or one of the) biggest economy and a major driver of pop culture.

Let’s see what Apple has in store. Remember, it’s not just about the tools we have but how we choose to use them and the impact they can make on our lives.

Stay curious, and I’ll catch you again soon

Best,

Jose