Apple’s WWDC could include AI-generated emojis and an OpenAI partnership

Recent rumors claim that Apple will allow chatbots to integrate more deeply into its operating systems, and it looks like OpenAI is getting the first crack with ChatGPT. But Apple is still working on a deal with Google to do the same with Gemini, according to Gurman. There are also rumors that he is in talks with Anthropic. (These talks began before the ongoing dispute with OpenAI’s Scarlett Johansson, but they underscore why Apple might want more from an iPhone chatbot deal.) Whatever these potential partnerships mean, Apple’s approach to AI is apparently shaping up. will focus on being practical.

One big, notable improvement that Apple will announce could be a “smart recap” feature mentioned by Gurman. Apparently this will summarize missing texts, notifications and other things like “web pages, news articles, documents, notes and other forms of media”. This can be particularly good when it comes to dealing with iOS notifications, which can be overwhelming and difficult to control. And if you squint, it vaguely echoes Microsoft’s recently announced Recall feature, which tracks what you do on your computer using AI and essentially makes your actions searchable.

The Voice Memo app could also get a big boost in AI-generated transcriptions, Gurman writes. Selfishly, this will be key for referring to interview recordings, but it could also be useful for, say, students recording their classes for later reference. Apple devices already have similar features, such as automatically generated voicemail transcriptions and system-wide captions for videos, audio and conversations.

The company also plans to announce AI-based improvements to on-device Spotlight searches, Internet searches with Safari, as well as wording suggestions for emails and texts. And the company can also use AI to retouch photos and generate emojis on the fly based on the text messages you’re sending — the kind of feature that always seems to get these companies into trouble. (See Meta’s gun-toting Waluigi AI stickers or Google’s inappropriately racially diverse Nazi photos.)

Apple could come up with a better, more natural voice for Siri, based on Apple’s own great language models, as well as better Siri functionality on the Apple Watch. Whenever possible, Apple devices will do all of this locally, but for complicated tasks, they will offload processing to Apple’s own M2 Ultra-based servers, Gurman writes. In general, he says devices “released within the last year” will gain the most new on-device AI features.

In addition to the AI ​​features, the company may announce an iOS 18 feature to allow users to change their app icons to different colors, according to Gurman. Something similar is possible now, using the iOS Shortcuts app, but I’d love a more direct method. This is in addition to other rumors that the change to the iPhone’s home screen will finally allow users to place app icons wherever they want, rather than iOS forcing a top-to-bottom, left-to-right arrangement. What is the next? Custom launchers?

Update May 26, 2024, 11:38am ET: Developed some rumored features and added more context.