News/Apple
iPhone shortcuts are now powered by ChatGPT
Apple's integration of ChatGPT's search capabilities into its Shortcuts app marks a significant advancement in iPhone automation capabilities, combining the power of AI-driven web search with customizable task workflows. Key developments: Apple has incorporated OpenAI's recently launched ChatGPT search feature into its Shortcuts app, enabling users to access AI-powered web searches through automated workflows. The integration appears as a new "Open SearchGPT" option within the Shortcuts app's ChatGPT commands Users can now leverage ChatGPT's enhanced search capabilities to find online information through automated processes The feature builds upon OpenAI's October update that improved ChatGPT's web search functionality Technical capabilities: The...
read Nov 24, 2024Get $50 off the AI-enabled iPad Mini 7 for Black Friday
The iPad Mini 7 represents Apple's latest iteration in its compact tablet lineup, offering enhanced processing power while maintaining its signature portable design. Core specifications and pricing: The iPad Mini 7 features an 8.3-inch display and runs on Apple's A17 Pro chip, with a current retail price of $500, though it's available for $450 on Amazon. The tablet maintains the same compact form factor as its predecessor, making it easily portable in bags and purses Despite the upgraded processor, the display remains limited to 60Hz refresh rate The device supports both the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence features Real-world...
read Nov 24, 2024The latest updates on Apple’s rumored ‘LLM Siri’
The rapid evolution of AI assistants has put pressure on Apple to modernize Siri, leading to reports of a significant overhaul planned for 2026. Key Development: Apple is developing a new version of Siri powered by large language models (LLMs), technology that enables AI systems to process and respond to human language more naturally. Internal testing is already underway on iPhones, iPads, and Macs through a standalone app dubbed "LLM Siri" The new AI assistant could be announced in 2025 as part of iOS 19 and macOS 16, with a planned launch in spring 2026 This timeline mirrors Apple's gradual...
read Nov 22, 2024Apple’s AI model will supercharge Siri but don’t expect it any time soon
The imminent transformation of Apple's Siri into a large language model (LLM)-powered assistant marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to artificial intelligence, though the implementation timeline stretches into 2026. Current state of Siri: Apple's intelligent assistant has lagged behind competitors in functionality and capabilities, often defaulting to web searches rather than providing direct answers. Despite Apple's claims of significant improvements in iOS 18, the promised "new era for Siri" has delivered only modest enhancements Third-party integrations remain limited compared to competitors like Amazon's Alexa The current version of Siri is widely considered less capable than Google Assistant and Alexa...
read Nov 21, 2024Apple is developing new ‘LLM Siri’ for iOS 19 and macOS 16
Artificial intelligence continues to transform digital assistants, with Apple preparing significant upgrades to Siri that will leverage large language models (LLMs) and enhanced AI capabilities. Current developments: Apple is actively developing an upgraded version of Siri powered by advanced large language models, while simultaneously rolling out interim improvements through iOS 18. The company is currently testing a separate app containing the new LLM-powered Siri functionality Recent iOS 18.1 updates have already introduced improvements to Siri's product knowledge and command handling ChatGPT integration is planned for iOS 18.2, scheduled for release in December Technical specifications: The new LLM Siri represents a...
read Nov 19, 2024Apple Mail introduces AI-powered email writing assistance
The latest version of MacOS brings AI-powered writing assistance to Apple Mail, offering users help with composing, proofreading, and refining their email communications. New Email Enhancement Features: Apple Intelligence, introduced with MacOS 15.1, now integrates directly with Apple Mail to provide AI-powered writing assistance and email management capabilities. Users can access features like proofreading, rewriting, email summarization, and bullet point conversion The system offers different tone options to help users craft more effective messages Apple Intelligence can assist with both new emails and replies Technical Requirements: The new email enhancement features have specific hardware and software prerequisites for users to...
read Nov 16, 2024All the new features Apple announced in its Final Cut Pro 11 update
Recent advances in Apple's professional video editing software bring significant AI and technical improvements to enhance the creator workflow. Key Features: Final Cut Pro 11 introduces several AI-powered and technical enhancements that modernize the video editing experience. AI-generated captions streamline the process of adding text to videos, making content more accessible A new Magnetic Mask tool enables precise isolation of people and objects in footage Support for spatial video editing aligns with Apple's growing focus on immersive content creation Enhanced timeline editing capabilities now support 90, 100, and 120 fps workflows Technical Improvements: The update delivers workflow optimizations and new...
read Nov 16, 2024Apple’s challenges in China are getting more difficult because of AI
Apple's complex relationship with China presents mounting challenges as the tech giant grapples with technology transfer issues, market pressures, and ethical dilemmas in its largest overseas market. Strategic partnership gone wrong: Apple's multi-billion dollar collaboration with Chinese automaker BYD on electric vehicle battery technology resulted in a significant technological transfer that primarily benefited China's automotive ambitions. The partnership exemplifies a pattern where American innovation strengthens Beijing's technological capabilities while potentially undermining U.S. competitiveness BYD has leveraged the acquired technology to establish itself as a dominant force in the global electric vehicle market Apple gained little tangible benefit from this substantial...
read Nov 16, 2024Apple’s Visual Intelligence impresses in early tests
Artificial intelligence-powered visual recognition technology takes a significant leap forward with Apple's Visual Intelligence beta release, showcasing promising capabilities in object identification and information retrieval. Initial capabilities and core functions: Apple's Visual Intelligence beta demonstrates several built-in features while leveraging external AI services for broader functionality. The system can directly summarize text from images, extract business information from Apple Maps, and identify dates and times for Calendar integration For object recognition tasks, the beta currently relies on integration with ChatGPT and Google search capabilities Google's visual search functionality has shown particularly impressive results in early testing Real-world performance: Early testing...
read Nov 15, 2024Apple Intelligence lets you create custom emojis — Here’s what it gets right and wrong
Artificial intelligence continues to transform digital communication, with Apple's new Genmoji feature offering iPhone users the ability to create personalized emoji expressions using AI technology. Core functionality and availability: Genmoji debuts as part of iOS 18.2, introducing AI-powered custom emoji creation capabilities with specific hardware requirements. The feature is exclusively available on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models Users can generate unique emojis beyond the standard emoji library using natural language prompts The system responds to both literal and emotional descriptors to create custom expressions Practical applications: Testing reveals various successful use cases for creating personalized...
read Nov 14, 2024Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature impresses in hands-on test
The introduction of Apple's Visual Intelligence feature for the iPhone 16 represents a significant challenge to Google Lens's dominance in visual search technology, bringing AI-powered image recognition capabilities to Apple's ecosystem. Product Overview: Apple's Visual Intelligence arrives as part of iOS 18.2, offering two distinct versions based on device compatibility. The feature is available exclusively on iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro models iPhone 16 Pro users get an on-device version that combines camera recognition with Google image search Other supported devices receive an off-device version powered by ChatGPT Key Features and Interface: The system operates through an intuitive...
read Nov 13, 2024Thanks to Exo Labs you can run powerful open-source LLMs on a Mac
The emergence of local AI model computing has taken a significant leap forward with Exo Labs enabling powerful open source AI models to run on Apple's new M4-powered Mac computers. Breaking new ground: Exo Labs has successfully demonstrated running advanced large language models (LLMs) locally on Apple M4 devices, marking a significant shift away from cloud-based AI computing. A cluster of four Mac Mini M4 devices and one Macbook Pro M4 Max, totaling around $5,000, can now run sophisticated AI models like Qwen 2.5 Coder-32B This setup provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional GPU solutions, as a single Nvidia H100...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple’s AI ad draws criticism for dystopian undertones
Technology advancements are increasingly being marketed as solutions for personal shortcomings, as evidenced by Apple's latest controversial advertisement for its Intelligence feature. The core issue: Apple's new advertisement promotes using artificial intelligence to create last-minute birthday slideshows, sparking debate about the appropriateness of AI-generated content as meaningful gifts. The ad depicts a wife who forgot her husband's birthday using Apple Intelligence to quickly generate a photo slideshow Two children in the ad present thoughtfully prepared gifts, creating a stark contrast with the automated solution Background music featuring lyrics "I'm a genius" plays as the wife smirks, seemingly celebrating her deception...
read Nov 13, 2024Black Friday deals on Apple Watch, AirTag and Mac
Apple's latest product lineup sees significant price drops across multiple devices in early Black Friday sales, with notable discounts on the new Apple Watch Series 10, MacBooks, iMacs, and accessories. Key price drops: The Apple Watch Series 10 leads the sales event with unprecedented discounts across all color variants, including Jet Black, Silver, and Rose Gold models. The 42mm model is now available for $349 (down from $399) The 46mm version is priced at $379 (reduced from $429) Amazon is expected to price match these Walmart offerings MacBook Air deals: The M3 MacBook Air lineup features substantial discounts with some...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple AI revenue to hit $14B by 2025, analysts predict
The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technology is creating new opportunities for Apple to expand its Services revenue through AI-powered features and integrations. Current hardware requirements and market impact: Apple Intelligence's initial rollout is strategically tied to specific device requirements, creating a natural upgrade cycle for users. The service requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer phones, recent M-series iPads, and M-series Macs from 2020 onward This hardware requirement creates an immediate incentive for customers to upgrade their devices Future integration possibilities include Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and HomePod devices Third-party AI integration strategy: Apple is pursuing a dual approach...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple launches Final Cut Pro 11 with new spatial video AI tools
The latest version of Apple's professional video editing software introduces significant AI-powered features and support for spatial video editing, marking a major milestone as the first non-10.x release since 2020. Key Features Overview: Final Cut Pro 11 introduces three major capabilities that leverage artificial intelligence and support new video formats. Spatial video editing capabilities allow users to import and edit immersive videos shot on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, Apple Vision Pro, or Canon's specialized RF-S7.8mm lens AI-powered transcription converts spoken audio to captions up to 13x faster than on Intel Macs using Apple's custom language model The new...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple accelerates AI efforts as rivals lose momentum
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has created a new competitive landscape in tech, with Apple making significant strides in AI development while some major competitors face unexpected challenges. The state of play: Apple has launched its Apple Intelligence platform with a suite of AI features, marking a significant shift in the company's AI strategy and market position. The initial rollout of Apple Intelligence reached hundreds of millions of devices through iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 Upcoming features in iOS 18.2 include Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration These developments represent Apple's characteristic approach of prioritizing consumer-friendly...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple to release a wall-mounted smart display powered by AI
The smart home market is set to see a significant new entrant as Apple prepares to launch its first Apple Intelligence-powered wall-mounted display, marking the company's ambitious expansion into AI-enabled home automation. Product specifications and design: The upcoming device, codenamed J490, features a 6-inch square display with distinctive physical characteristics and versatile mounting options. The display will be roughly equivalent to two iPhones placed side by side, featuring a thick edge around the screen and a camera positioned at the top center Available in silver and black, the device includes a rechargeable battery and speakers Additional bases with supplementary speakers...
read Nov 13, 2024Not a fan of Apple Intelligence? Here’s how to disable it
The ability to disable AI features on Apple devices provides users with control over their technology experience, though doing so means foregoing access to various intelligent features and tools. What Apple Intelligence offers: Apple Intelligence is a comprehensive AI toolkit available across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, providing features like Writing Tools and Notification summaries. The feature set requires users to explicitly opt-in to enable AI functionality All AI features are bundled together, meaning users cannot selectively enable specific tools Future updates are expected to bring new capabilities like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration with Siri Step-by-step deactivation process: Turning...
read Nov 13, 2024Apple’s approach to AI is making it accessible to all
Accessibility features and artificial intelligence are increasingly intersecting in Apple's technology ecosystem, with the company positioning itself as a long-time leader in making devices more usable for people with disabilities. Historical commitment and vision: Apple has maintained a dedicated accessibility team since 1985, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to making technology accessible to all users. The company frames accessibility as a fundamental human right that drives innovation across its product line Apple's approach aims to integrate accessibility features seamlessly into mainstream products rather than treating them as separate solutions Key technological innovations: Artificial intelligence and advanced sensors are enabling new ways...
read Nov 12, 2024Apple may launch an AI-powered smart home camera by 2026
The smart home market continues to evolve as major tech companies vie for dominance in connected home devices, with Apple now planning to expand its hardware offerings beyond speakers and displays. Strategic expansion plans: Apple is reportedly preparing to enter the smart home camera market in 2026, marking its first direct competition with third-party HomeKit camera manufacturers. Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent Apple analyst, indicates the company aims to achieve annual shipments in the tens of millions for its IP camera The device will feature deep integration with Siri and Apple Intelligence features This move represents Apple's first venture into first-party...
read Nov 12, 2024Apple’s AI notification summaries amuse more than assist
The introduction of AI-powered notification summaries in Apple's latest operating systems represents a notable, if sometimes imperfect, attempt to help users manage their growing flood of digital notifications. Core functionality: Apple's latest iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 updates include a small language model that automatically generates summaries when multiple notifications accumulate from a single app. The feature aims to provide quick overviews of notification content, from group text messages to smart home alerts The AI summaries appear when notifications pile up, attempting to distill multiple messages into brief, digestible updates This built-in capability operates locally on Apple devices, leveraging on-device...
read Nov 9, 2024Why Apple’s AI future shines bright despite early missteps
Apple's delayed entry into AI market: Apple has released its first set of AI tools under the "Apple Intelligence" brand, marking a significant but belated step into the competitive AI landscape. The release includes features like Writing Tools, Text Summaries, and enhanced Photos capabilities in iOS 18.1, with more advanced features planned for iOS 18.2. Apple's approach appears rushed, potentially compromising quality and consistency in an attempt to catch up with competitors. The staggered rollout and beta labeling of features suggest Apple is trying to balance market expectations with technical readiness. Key features and rollout strategy: Apple Intelligence encompasses a...
read Nov 9, 2024How Apple is monetizing AI without have to charge users directly
Apple's AI monetization strategy: Apple has found a clever way to monetize its new Apple Intelligence features without directly charging users, leveraging its partnerships with third-party AI companies. Apple Intelligence, launched recently with more features coming in iOS 18.2, is offered to users for free. The latest iOS 18.2 beta reveals a new 'Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus' option in the Settings app, indicating Apple's strategy to profit from partner subscriptions. This approach allows Apple to maintain its free AI offerings while potentially earning a cut from premium subscriptions to third-party AI services. The role of services revenue: Apple's focus on...
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