Will Siri finally become useful? That’s the promise Apple made today at its “Glowtime” event where the company unveiled its new iPhone 16 lineup, the first to feature AI-powered capabilities via Apple Intelligence and a future collaboration with ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
Apple plans to revolutionize the user experience by transforming the iPhone into a small personal assistant driven by AI, in addition to being a powerful pocket-sized computer with the launch of Apple Intelligence.
In the short term, Siri will receive immediate enhancements such as the ability to type questions instead of speaking, engage in more natural conversations, and the option to change the wake word through an accessibility feature. Developers will also have access to SiriKit to integrate Apple Intelligence features into third-party apps.
Additionally, AirPods users can look forward to an enhanced Siri experience where they can nod or shake their heads to respond to Siri’s prompts. Siri will also receive a cosmetic makeover in iOS 18 with an eye-catching illumination effect when activated.
The full rollout of Apple Intelligence features will be gradual, starting with U.S. English support followed by localized support for other languages by next year. Writing Tools, Mail and Notifications summaries, and a Clean Up tool for Photos will also be introduced in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.
When Apple Intelligence arrives, Siri’s capabilities will be significantly enhanced, allowing for more personalized interactions and better context understanding. Siri will be able to assist with a wider range of tasks and offer practical suggestions based on personal context.
iPhone 16 Pro users will benefit from Siri’s new features, including improved photo editing capabilities and options for enhancing images. OpenAI’s partnership is expected to further enhance Siri’s capabilities, offering users the option to leverage ChatGPT for queries related to “world knowledge.”
Overall, Apple’s advancements in AI technology through Apple Intelligence and collaborations with OpenAI signal a new chapter for Siri’s capabilities, promising a more efficient and personalized user experience in the near future.
