- iOS 18 to feature generative AI technology, making it a landmark update in Apple's software evolution.
- Apple focuses on software upgrades over hardware in the iPhone 16 series, aiming to attract customers with enhanced iOS features.
- Internal policies at Apple, like "The Pact," ensure high-quality software development, prioritizing performance and user experience.
November 13, 2023: Apple Inc. is gearing up for a major leap in mobile technology with its upcoming iOS 18, focusing heavily on integrating generative AI. This move is seen as Apple’s strategic effort to keep pace with key players like Google and OpenAI in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
iOS 18, set to be announced at the next Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), is being described by Apple insiders as both “ambitious and compelling.” The new update follows the recent release of iOS 17, which has already made its mark as a robust operating system packed with features such as a new lock screen and the ability to edit iMessages.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will not introduce hardware upgrades with the iPhone 16. Instead, the tech giant plans to entice customers with significant software advancements. One of the key areas of focus is generative AI, which is expected to be a major component of iOS 18.
Apple executives, including the head of software engineering Craig Federighi, have taken a cautious approach to ensure the high quality of the new software. They initiated a freeze on developing new major software updates to concentrate on debugging and performance enhancement.
This strategy, known as “The Pact,” emphasizes immediate bug fixing when new features cause glitches elsewhere in the system.
Apple’s iOS 18 promises to be one of the most substantial updates in years. It aims to offer an overhaul in features, design, security, and performance. This update is particularly notable given the relatively modest changes in the past few iOS versions since iOS 14 in 2020, which introduced Home Screen widgets.
Apple is set to heavily leverage AI in both iOS 18 and macOS 18. The company’s leaders have highlighted the importance of AI in their future software updates, aiming to make these platforms more interactive, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Despite a brief pause in the development of new features for iOS 18, the release schedule remains on track. The software is set to be introduced at WWDC 2024, with sufficient time for further development and refinement before its public release in the fall of 2024.
