It seems like Apple’s WWDC plans transcend sprinkling AI fairy mud on every little thing (although that’s going to be a giant a part of it, too). Apart from Siri gaining new AI-powered app management, the corporate additionally plans to overtake issues just like the Settings apps for iOS and macOS, Management Middle, Messages, Mail, and extra.
A brand new, “cleaner” Settings app UI will imply higher group and improved search, Mark Gurman writes in his Energy On Publication for Bloomberg at the moment. He provides {that a} comparable revamp can also be coming to the macOS System Settings app.
Apple will even replace Management Middle, the slide-down menu of fast settings in iOS, with a brand new music widget and “enhancements to the way it operates sensible house home equipment.” Gurman didn’t specify what would change, however as helpful because the Dwelling widget is correct now, I may definitely see room for enchancment — having the ability to customise which gadgets present up there could be helpful, for example.
Messages will get a brand new characteristic that allows you to animate particular person phrases in a textual content message, Gurman writes, backing up a MacRumors report from Friday. He provides that Apple will even add new Tapback icons — the response emoji-style icons that seem once you long-press a message. And Apple will reportedly deliver UI modifications to Photographs and replace the Mail app with “a number of enhancements,” as nicely.
Apple will apparently additionally announce visionOS 2.0, with native variations of first-party apps. Proper now, visionOS solely has iPad variations of Apple apps like Dwelling, Calendar, Podcasts, and Pages.
Gurman reiterated, although, that Apple’s largest focus at WWDC 2024 can be on AI. One massive rumored characteristic is that with none setup from customers or builders, Siri can supply to carry out duties inside apps themselves based mostly in your machine’s evaluation of what you’re as much as — somewhat like Rabbit’s promised “Massive Motion Mannequin” however with shades of Clippy. Some examples he’s reported embody Siri providing assembly summaries, cropping photographs for you, or transferring notes within the Notes app from one folder to a different.
Some AI options will reportedly come this fall when iOS 18 rolls out, in response to Gurman. Previous rumored iOS AI options embody Voice Memos and Notes apps will get real-time voice transcription. There’s additionally that customized, AI-created emoji characteristic which may be coming. WWDC 2024 is about for June tenth, so we received’t have to attend lengthy to be taught what Apple has up its sleeve for its AI, iOS, and macOS updates this yr.