What to expect at Apple’s WWDC 2024

Every year, Apple’s WWDC ranks third behind Google’s I/O and Microsoft’s Build developer conferences, and Apple has almost never had to announce a product in response. This time, however, things are different.

Over the past month, Apple’s biggest rivals presented bold plans for AI, with Google showing off its latest Gemini models and Microsoft unveiling powerful Copilot features like Recall. Now Apple must take the initiative and show that it is not far behind in providing useful generative AI experiences to its customers.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on Monday, June 10 with a presentation at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT. Here’s what to expect at Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote.

At WWDC there are rumors that Apple will equip its operating systems with AI, with Siri at the center. According to BloombergApple has reworked Siri using major language models to better understand what users want and respond to their questions. The new version of Siri will reportedly be able to take actions for you within Apple’s own apps, potentially making the assistant much more capable than it is now.

Apple will apparently call the AI ​​functions ‘Apple Intelligence’ and build them into its apps. Bloomberg reports. Other AI features could include AI summaries of messages and web pages and real-time transcriptions in Notes and Voice Memos, according to Apple Insider. A custom emoji generator is in the plans, and the Photos app will reportedly let you use AI to remove objects and people from images.

Apple is also said to have explored partnerships with third parties to strengthen its AI prowess. The company was reportedly in talks with Google and Anthropic, but it appears the only deal it has made is with OpenAI, which recently showed off a powerful personal assistant-like calling feature for ChatGPT. According to Apple, a ChatGPT-like chatbot is now on its way to Apple devices Bloomberg.

Apple is finally adopting Rich Communication Services (RCS) as the default fallback for iMessage, and we’ll likely see it arrive as part of iOS 18. This means that iPhone and Android users will soon be able to put aside their blue and green bubble differences and text each other instead, longer text messages and higher quality photos – hopefully all while also remaining end-to-end encrypted.

Apple had previously ignored Google’s (sometimes salacious) pleas to adopt RCS and abandon the age-old and privacy-poor SMS fallback. It took some pressure from regulators to get Apple to reconsider its position. As for the green bubbles, they will stick around. But they will be good green bubbles.

Finally, Apple can finally let users organize apps the way they want. MacRumors reports that in iOS 18 you can finally leave empty spaces between apps. And Bloomberg has reported that Apple will integrate a theming system into the operating system, allowing you to recolor icons to match.

As part of the operating system updates for the Mac, iPhone, iPad and more, Apple is also expected to introduce new and improved versions of its built-in apps. Rumors point to the Calculator app being revamped and finally debuting on the iPad, a password manager launching across Apple’s platforms, and new designs appearing on the cluttered Apple Settings and Control Center screens.

Apple’s redesigned iPad Pro launched in May with a new AI-focused M4 chip. This was the first time an M-series chip wasn’t first on a Mac. I’m not going to debate what a computer is, but I’m willing to bet we’ll see M4 chips in Macs soon. Apple’s MacBooks are all offered with M3 chips, while the Mac Studio and Mac Pro lag behind with M2 chips.

However, so far there are no rumors suggesting that refreshed machines will appear at WWDC, so we may have to wait until later this year.