Apple Begins Testing AI Software Designed To Bring A Smarter Siri To The IPhone 16

Apple is expanding the number of people who can test a software upgrade that will integrate artificial intelligence into its virtual assistant Siri and automate a range of tiresome activities on the next iPhone, which will be released on Friday.

The free update was made available on Thursday to a group of people who have signed up to test Apple’s software before it is given to all iPhone owners next month. As of Thursday, just two luxury iPhones released last year had the souped-up processor required to run the AI features included in the upgrade, but that will change on Friday when four new iPhone 16 models hit store shelves.

All iPhone 16 versions, which start from $800 to $1,200, are prepared to handle the new technology, which the firm refers to as “Apple Intelligence.” That branding is part of an effort to distinguish the iPhone’s AI from comparable technology found in handsets released earlier this year by Samsung and Google.

Apple Begins Testing AI Software Designed To Bring A Smarter Siri To The IPhone 16

The AI features are being pushed as one of the key reasons to buy an iPhone 16, thus releasing a test version of the software powering the technology now may cause more buyers to splurge on one of the new models as soon as possible.

For the time being, the AI technology is only available in the United States, but it will be available in localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom in December. Apple intends to expand into additional languages and regions next year. The AI software testing began just a few days after Apple issued its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18, to all of its previous iPhones.

After installing iOS 18.1, Siri is expected to become more conversational, adaptable, and colorful, with a brilliant light rotating around the iPhone’s screen as it responds to requests. While Apple promises Siri will be able to accomplish more jobs and get less confused, it will be unable to engage with other iPhone apps until another software update is released at an indeterminate date.

Other AI features included in the software update will handle a variety of writing and proofreading chores, as well as summarising email and document content. The AI will also have a variety of editing options for changing the appearance of photos and making it easier to find old ones.

However, the initial upgrade excludes other AI tricks that will be included later, such as the capacity to generate customized emojis on the fly or conjure other creative visuals upon request. Apple also intends to someday enable its AI suite to seek assistance from OpenAI’s ChatGPT as needed.

Aside from the new iPhone model, Apple’s AI features will also operate on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which have the necessary computer processor. The update will also include the ability to record spatial video on the two iPhone 15 models that can be viewed with Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset.

Apple Begins Testing AI Software Designed To Bring A Smarter Siri To The IPhone 16

However, the AI will not work on hundreds of millions of other iPhones that are still in use, which analysts believe will boost Apple’s previously declining sales of the ubiquitous smartphone.

That assumption is the primary reason why Apple’s stock price has risen by more than 15% since the company unveiled its AI strategy in June, generating $500 billion in shareholder value. Some analysts anticipate that the demand for new iPhones will boost Apple’s market capitalisation past $4 trillion for the first time in the coming year.

SOURCE | AP