One more report says Apple has some new AI functionality on board the verge for iOS 18, including photo emulation for Messages and a new photo retouching tool of sorts. The upcoming AI features in iOS 18 have been brought into focus in a new report from AppleInsider.
Upcoming iOS 18 AI Features
Some suspected changes to Siri are the improvements (e.g., Enhanced Responses) in response generation to a whole new level and better understanding people, businesses, and calendar events; locations: guess what domains are talking about what locations. There are Improved Voices that provide natural-sounding text-to-speech functionality, as well.
Cross Device Media Control is a forthcoming feature for Siri that will let you control media playback on a Raspberry II from another Raspberry, for example using an Apple Watch to play a movie on a Raspberry. This feature, however, is thought to be pushed back as far forward as 2024. There will also be a means for users to ask Siri to summarize recent notifications using the “Catch Up” functionality.
The features are part of a broader plan to make iOS 18 smarter with AI in a range of applications. These auto-generated text responses for messages and emails are known as Smart Replies. It also brings AI tools to the Notes app, allowing for Transcription and Summarization, with the ability to edit audio, transcribe audio, and summarize text to simply put it.
Moreover, there will be proper mathematical notation support in the Notes app with integration of the Calculator app, allowing recognition of equations and solution generation. Keyboard Math Predictions will offer input enhancements for complex mathematical expressions, similar to predictive text. Users can also remove objects from photos using generative AI with the “Clean Up” feature, replacing Apple’s current “Retouch” tool.
Furthermore, an app utilizing generative AI to create and edit images with an iMessage extension, initially for Apple’s internal use but with plans for public availability, is in the works. VisionOS 2 is expected to feature an improved predictive text model and a redesigned Voice Commands UI.
Lastly, updates to the Calendar and Freeform apps, along with System Settings improvements for macOS, are reportedly in the pipeline. Apple is likely to preview these new AI features during its WWDC keynote on June 10.
