iPhone 16 and iOS 18

 Apple Confirms Innovative iPhone 16 Pro Upgrade and iOS 18 will Ensure it 

Apple is reportedly gearing up to unveil iPhone 16 with iOS 18, marking a significant shift in the tech giant's approach. It may be the latest buzzword on Android, but Apple’s iPhone is not seen as an AI-infused smartphone. That’s set to change, and we now know one way in which Tim Cook and his team plan to catch up. Following are the some important points:-

iOS 18 is expected to revolutionise user interaction with iPhone.

iPhone 16 is also likely to feature new A18 Pro chip, advanced camera systems and improved battery life.

Apple will unveil iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 in June 2024.

The launch of Apple's next iPhone generation, the iPhone 16, is still months away. However, rumours, and leaks are already painting a picture of exciting upgrades in store for the iPhone 16 series. Boasting better cameras, a more powerful processor, and bigger displays, the iPhone 16 is shaping up to be a treat for tech enthusiasts. But this year, the true star might be iOS 18, anticipated to be the biggest iPhone software update ever released. Apple is said to unveil iOS 18 at the upcoming developer's conference, WWDC 2024, scheduled for online and in-person experiences from 10 -14 June 2024. Following the unveiling, iOS 18 will first be released with the iPhone 16 series, and later be available for all supported iPhones. 

Newly released research paper by researchers from Cornell University working with Apple have given some details about latest developments. Titled "Ferret-UI: Grounded Mobile UI Understanding with Multimodal LLMs,” it details a multimodal large language model that can be used to understand what is displayed on a screen, specifically the elements in a mobile user interface, such as the display of an iPhone. Thanks to a large supply of training data, it is possible to pick out icons, find text, parse widgets, describe in text what is on screen, parse the interface elements, and interact with the display while being guided by open-ended instructions and prompts. Ferret was released in October 2023 and designed to parse photos and images to recognise what was on show. This upgrade to the snappily titled Ferret-UI will offer several benefits to those using it with their iPhone and could easily fit into an improved AI-powered Siri.

Apple is reportedly placing a big bet on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with iOS 18. According to insider leaks and reports, Apple is gearing up to deliver the most significant overhaul in iPhone software history, centred around harnessing the power of AI to revolutionise how users interact with their devices. If these speculations hold true, iOS 18 could mark a pivotal shift, positioning Apple as a leader in AI-driven smartphone innovation. Being able to describe the screen, no matter the app, opens up a richer avenue for accessibility apps, removing the need to pre-program responses and actions. Those looking to perform complex tasks or find obscure options on their phone could ask Siri to open up a complex app and use an obscure function hidden away in the depths of the menu system.

From personalised playlist curation in Apple Music to AI-powered enhancements in stock apps like Mail and Notes, Apple is said to infuse every aspect of the iPhone experience with intelligent capabilities, tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of users. Developers could use Ferret-UI as a testing tool, asking the MLMM to act as if it was a 14-year-old with little experience with social networks to perform tasks or simulate a 75-year-old user trying to connect to Face time with their grandchildren. Furthermore, Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, is also slated to undergo a significant transformation with iOS 18. Long criticised for its sluggish performance and limited capabilities, Siri is said to become an "ultimate virtual assistant" with the incorporation of large language models (LLMs) and improved conversational features. Deeper integration with Shortcuts is also on the cards, allowing users to streamline their workflows and automate tasks with greater ease and efficiency.

                                          

iOS 18 is also rumoured to bridge the gap between iPhone users and their Android counterparts with the introduction of RCS messaging support. If implemented, this would enable iPhone users to enjoy enhanced messaging features, such as better video quality and read receipts, when communicating with Android users, effectively eliminating the limitations of iMessage. Google publicly started the rush for AI-first smartphones on 4th October, roughly three weeks after the launch of the iPhone 15. Tim Cook and his team did not make any noticeable announcements or draw attention to the AI improvements tucked away in its photo processing or text auto-correction, giving Android a head-start on AI and allowing Google’s mobile platform to set expectations.

In addition to AI-driven enhancements, iOS 18 is expected to deliver a slew of user-centric features aimed at providing greater customization and accessibility. From a revamped home screen experience with the ability to create blank spaces and customise icon arrangements to adaptive voice shortcuts and adjustable font sizes for improved accessibility, iOS 18 is said to cater to the diverse needs of iPhone users like never before. Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference takes place in June, and it will be the first moment Apple can engage with the public to discuss its AI plans as it lays the foundations for the launch of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro this year. While Apple has yet to officially confirm which iPhone models will be compatible with iOS 18, rumours suggest that a wide range of devices, including many models from 2018 and later, could receive the update. But the iPhone 16 series will be the first to introduce iOS 18 to all users around the world.

iPhone 16 series in general is expected to introduce several enhancements. Design-wise, a new Capture button with haptic feedback may be added, and the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro could be extended to all models. The series is likely to maintain the punch-hole display and may standardise USB Type-C ports. Display improvements include potentially larger screens for Pro models, with a 6.3-inch display for the Pro and a 6.9-inch for the Pro Max, and a 120Hz refresh rate for standard models available. Apple might also add Graphene n Pro models for improved heat management. Camera upgrades are anticipated, with a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens for Pro models and advanced lenses for the Pro Max. Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Pro models might feature the new A18 Pro chip, while standard models could have an updated A17 chip, both promising better performance and efficiency. Battery life improvements are also expected, with larger capacities, faster charging up to 40W, and a 4,676mAh battery for the Pro Max for all users around the world.