In just a few hours, the world’s attention will be on Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, where the company is expected to display its new updates. Among the most anticipated announcements are enhancements to Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, and the introduction of innovative AI capabilities. With so much on the horizon, it’s expected to be exciting.
Related: Apple WWDC 2023
What to expect at WWDC 2024
Here’s what we expect from Apple at the WWDC 2024:
1. Apple Intelligence
Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is expected to be all about AI. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant will unveil many AI-powered features, with Siri being the main attraction.
Furthermore, Siri’s new iteration is rumored to be able to take actions for users within Apple’s apps. Apple is also set to introduce AI-powered summaries of messages and webpages, as well as real-time transcriptions in Notes and Voice Memos.
The AI fun doesn’t stop there. Apple Insider reports that a custom emoji generator is in the works, allowing users to create personalized emojis. The Photos app will also get an AI-powered feature that enables users to remove objects and people from images.
Apple is said to be branding these AI capabilities as “Apple Intelligence” and integrating them seamlessly throughout its apps. This move signals a significant shift towards AI-driven technology, and we can’t wait to see what other exciting features Apple has in store.
2. Home Screen and Control Center
In the upcoming iOS 18, Apple will introduce many enhancements to the Home Screen and Control Center for easy customization.
One of the main changes is the ability to arrange app icons more flexibly. Users will no longer be restricted to the invisible grid layout and will create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.
In addition, Apple plans to offer users the option to change the colors of app icons, moving away from the limitations imposed by developers’ choices. This feature will enable better personalization of Home Screens.
Turning to the Control Center, Apple is reportedly testing a customizable layout that will feature a drag-and-drop interface. This will allow users to rearrange the controls to suit their preferences. Furthermore, the Control Center is expected to include a new Apple Music widget and improved controls for HomeKit products.
Also, Apple is rumored to apply a more visionOS-inspired design refresh to the overall app interface, with a stronger emphasis on transparency for buttons and other UI elements. This visual update will enhance a more visually appealing user experience.
3. An OpenAI partnership
Apple is rumored to have explored partnerships with third-party companies to enhance its AI capabilities. Among the potential collaborations, Apple was said to have engaged in discussions with tech giants like Google and Anthropic. However, it appears that the company has finalized a partnership with OpenAI, the creators of the ChatGPT conversational AI.
The partnership with OpenAI is particularly noteworthy, as ChatGPT has demonstrated remarkably in natural language processing and generation. According to recent reports, Apple will integrate a ChatGPT-like chatbot feature into its device ecosystem.
4. macOS
Apple’s upcoming macOS 15 update is expected to feature numerous AI-powered features to enhance the user experience. The update will also introduce new features in Messages, Mail, Photos, Notes, Calendar, Calculator, and Apple Music.
In terms of Mac-specific enhancements, the Calculator app will receive a visual overhaul, taking inspiration from the iPhone’s calculator design with rounded buttons and an improved unit conversion system.
In addition, the System Settings application will undergo reorganization, prioritizing the most commonly used features at the top of the interface for easier access.
Apple is also preparing to introduce new wallpaper packs for Macs, iPhones, and iPads, with the Mac versions drawing inspiration from “old school icons and slogans.”
Furthermore, Xcode, Apple’s integrated development environment, will incorporate an AI-powered coding feature to enhance the productivity and efficiency of developers.
5. App updates
Apple is integrating AI features into many of its built-in apps. Below is a summary of the expected updates, based on recent reports.
- Safari: Safari will introduce an “Intelligent Search” option. This feature uses AI to identify key topics and phrases on a web page. Also, the quick access menu will be refreshed, incorporating features from the Share Sheet. A “Web Eraser” tool may also be added to hide unwanted portions of web pages that persist across visits.
- Mail: The Mail app will feature “Smart Replies,” suggesting replies to incoming emails. It will also have improved search capabilities and an option to summarize long email threads. The app will be reorganized to automatically sort incoming messages into categories, similar to Gmail.
- Apple Maps: Apple Maps could support custom routes, allowing users to input self-selected routes rather than being limited to Apple’s options. In addition, topographic maps, introduced in watchOS 10, may be integrated.
- Notes: The Notes app will support recording voice memos directly within the app, with transcripts available. It will also provide AI-generated summaries of key points in notes and audio recordings. Mathematical notation will be improved, allowing more types of equations to be added.
- Health: The Health app will get improved blood pressure data management ahead of when Apple Watch models gain hypertension detection. It will also offer more tailored data, such as improved cycle tracking for pregnant users. A new hearing test feature linked to AirPods is also planned.
- Settings: Apple plans to streamline the Settings app, adding a reorganized UI with a cleaner layout to make it easier to navigate. These updates reflect Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience through AI integration across its apps.
How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote
The WWDC 2024 keynote is set to commence at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on Monday, June 10. You can access this on Apple’s event site or YouTube channel. Apple has already provided the WWDC 2024 livestream link, where you can also schedule a reminder to be alerted before the event begins.
