Apple is expected to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) set to take place from June 10th to 14th. While the event typically revolves around unveiling fall software updates and new hardware, there’s a significant amount of curiosity this year regarding Apple’s strategy towards generative AI.
Reports indicate that Apple has been investing millions daily to train its proprietary models and allegedly engaging news outlets for training content partnerships. According to recent rumors, the tech giant might strike a deal with Google, OpenAI, Anthropic or Baidu (in China) for providing cloud-supported AI functions while maintaining its in-house generative features exclusively on-device.
In an interesting twist, Bloomberg recently reported that Apple might possibly invite all AI developers to deeply integrate their tech into its ecosystem.
Apple has been discussing on-device machine learning for a while now, but with the increasing significance of generative AI, the company seems ready to flaunt its capabilities in that field as well. An example being, the M3 MacBook Air, often touted as “the world’s best customer laptop for AI.”
Other than AI, the usual array of feature announcements for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and other company operating systems are expected. Rumored enhancements include being able to position app icons freely on the iPhone, introducing “scenes” in Freeform and new accessibility shortcuts.
Speculations are also rife about Apple possibly launching two new AirPods models – a basic version as a successor to the second-gen AirPods and a noise-cancelling variant to replace the midtier AirPods 3. Updates to the AirPods Max headphones, including the addition of USB-C, are also anticipated.
Last year’s highlight was undoubtedly the revelation of the highly-awaited Vision Pro headset. Other notable announcements included a rethinking of WatchOS revolving around widgets, introduction of a StandBy Mode for iOS 17, desktop widgets for macOS, and another appeal to the gaming community.
During the WWDC 2023, Apple took a significant step of completing its Apple silicon transition as it showcased a revised Mac Pro equipped with an M2 Ultra chip, which was also integrated into a new Mac Studio. The MacBook Air also received attention with the unveiling of a 15-inch model.
