What to expect at Apple's WWDC 2024: iOS 18, macOS 15, Siri-ChatGPT collab, and a whole lot of AI

AI for "Apple Intelligence"

iOS 18: The smartest iPhone update yet?

The AI features extend to other key apps too:

Safari web browser will offer more intelligent search results

Notes app will automatically generate summaries

Voice Memos will provide transcriptions

Messages will allow users to create custom AI-generated emoji

AI across the ecosystem: From iPadOS to visionOS

The secret weapon: A ChatGPT-supercharged Siri

An end coming to green-blue war: RCS Comes to iMessage

Hardware might take a back seat this year

Cupertino's AI coup

Apple 's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off June 10, and artificial intelligence is expected to take centre stage. And it’s the case of ‘it’s now or never.’ The word around the town is that the Cupertino giant will showcase how it plans to integrate AI (it would be the first of WWDC where we might hear the word “AI”) capabilities into its core products and services, including iPhones, as it races against the time.Apple will brand its AI efforts as " Apple Intelligence " and embed generative AI features across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems. Users will have to opt-in to access these AI tools, some of which might require an iPhone 15 Pro or later, or an M1 or newer chip on iPads and Macs. Apple is said to be taking a more practical approach to AI compared to competitors, focusing on subtle but useful enhancements to daily apps and tasks.The next major iPhone software update, iOS 18, is rumoured to be one of the biggest iOS releases ever, driven largely by AI. Siri will get a much-needed overhaul, gaining the ability to execute more complex tasks in apps like editing photos, deleting emails, and providing notification summaries.Apple is also said to be loosening the restrictions on the iPhone home screen layout, finally letting users place icons and widgets wherever they want. Rumours are rife that there’d be a new wallpaper pack that would be inspired of the older designs and slogans.In addition to iOS 18, expect AI upgrades in the latest versions of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS for the Vision Pro headset. Core apps like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Xcode will gain AI-assisted features to boost productivity. Apple aims to showcase how AI can enhance the user experience in practical ways across its entire ecosystem.To accelerate its AI efforts, Apple has reportedly reached a deal with OpenAI to integrate the power of ChatGPT into iOS. Details of the partnership are expected to be announced at WWDC. This could help Apple catch up to Google and Microsoft who have already incorporated generative AI into their products.In a major shift, Apple is finally adopting Rich Communication Services or RCS in its Messages app. This will significantly improve texting between iPhones and Android phones, enabling typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, and end-to-end encryption. The move comes after pressure from the tech industry and regulators to make messaging more open and interoperable.While WWDC is primarily a software-focused event, Apple occasionally unveils new hardware products too, like the Vision Pro headset last year. However, no major hardware announcements are expected this time around, as Apple just updated its iPad lineup in May and new Macs are more likely in the fall timeframe.WWDC 2024 is shaping up to be a defining moment for Apple as it lays out its vision for the AI era. By carefully integrating machine intelligence in a way that upholds user privacy and focuses on everyday practicality, Apple hopes to make AI accessible and appealing to its ever-growing customer base.All eyes will be on CEO Tim Cook and the team on June 10 as they aim to make a compelling case for "Apple Intelligence," which probably could be the next generation of Apple.