Apple has announced sweeping plans to integrate generative artificial intelligence into nearly every aspect of its ecosystem with the launch of Apple Intelligence at the Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California this week.
The move comes as it competes with technology giants such as Microsoft and Google, which are among the first to take a bite of the burgeoning industry.
Described as a “personal intelligence” system for iPhone, iPad and Mac that combines the power of generative models with personal context, Apple Intelligence is expected to attract more customers and add to the company’s bottom line.
Industry analysts consider it a "smart move" by the company that is strategically expanding its services division and gradually reducing its reliance on hardware products.
Here, The National looks at what users can expect from Apple Intelligence and iOS 18, the coming operating system for the company’s main product, the iPhone.
iOS 18 release date
The developer beta version of iOS 18 became available on Monday and a public beta will be available next month, Apple said.
It will be available later this year as a free software update for iPhone Xs and later models.
Excitement around Apple Intelligence
Apple has come prepared with its generative AI offerings and the company has been thorough in addressing the privacy issue with on-device capabilities and, hence, is likely to gain more traction, Tarun Pathak, research director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research, told The National.
“We believe some of the use cases were similar to what we have seen in the industry like chat assisting, photo editing, summarisation, but the real strength lies in the execution and experience ... and Apple has scored points there.”
Apple’s emphasis on protecting users’ personal data could be a “game-changer” as it adds to users' confidence, said Thomas Monteiro, senior analyst at Investing.com.
“It's not just about AI tools that operate in the open-data market, but about tools that understand and protect your personal preferences and data.
“In a world where AI will be used millions of times per second, this perspective could shape the future of personal AI use, offering a more secure and tailored experience,” Mr Monteiro told The National.
Will OpenAI partnership overshadow Apple’s generative AI plans?
Though Apple has also announced its partnership with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, analysts said it has been successful in creating its own niche.
“Despite OpenAI partnership they ensured that their own capabilities were not overshadowed and they successfully positioned their AI capabilities,” Mr Pathak said.
Apple has teamed up with OpenAI to integrate its generative AI tool into virtual assistant Siri. ChatGPT will be available free of charge in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia – the next version of the desktop operating system – later this year.
OpenAI partnership
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has warned that he will ban Apple devices at his companies if the iPhone maker integrates OpenAI’s AI software at the operating system level, calling it a security breach.
The partnership also raises concerns among analysts.
Apple is making AI accessible and practical for billions worldwide, Aaron Rafferty, chief executive of AI and machine learning firm Standard, said.
The range of AI-powered features, from call transcription to email summaries to an upgraded Siri, will boost productivity and ease everyday tasks, said Mr. Rafferty, who is concerned about users’ data privacy given Apple's partnership with OpenAI.
“By building it right into the OS, it will drive unprecedented adoption and use of AI in daily life. The issue though is privacy given their partnership with OpenAI. “While relying on OpenAI, given past issues with their data practices, warrants ongoing scrutiny, Apple's thoughtful privacy-preserving strategy positions it well to responsibly democratize AI's benefits,” Mr Rafferty told The National.
New language capabilities
Apple Intelligence introduces new language capabilities in the company's upcoming operating systems – iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia – boosting user communication and writing capabilities.
Integrated systemwide, the new writing tools will allow users to rewrite, proofread and summarise text across various apps such as Mail, Notes and Pages. The rewrite feature offers different versions of text, adjusting tone as needed, while proofreading checks grammar and suggests edits. Summarise creates concise recaps.
Mail enhancements include priority messages for urgent emails and notifications are improved with priority alerts and quick summaries. Notes and Phone apps can now record, transcribe and summarise audio, aiding users in recalling key points from calls.
Privacy in AI
The Cupertino-headquartered company said Apple Intelligence relies on on-device processing of data.
To run more complex requests that require more processing power, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute technology will ensure the privacy and security of devices into the cloud.
With Private Cloud Compute, Apple Intelligence can “flex and scale its computational capacity and draw on larger, server-based models for more complex requests”, the company said.
These models run on servers powered by Apple chips, providing a foundation that allows Apple to ensure that data is never retained or exposed.
When can users access Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence will be free for users and will be available in beta (trial) version as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia in September or October in English language.
“Some features, software platforms and additional languages will come over the course of the next year,” Apple said.
It will be available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 chip and later versions, with Siri and device language set to US English. Wider availability of public version in more languages can take months but Apple did not disclose any timetable.
Passwords app with iOS 18
The new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords and verification codes. It will also include alerts for users regarding common weaknesses, such as passwords that are easily guessed or used several times and those that appear in known data leaks.
The latest operating system also aims to give users more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared and how their iPhone connects to accessories.
Users can now lock an app and for additional privacy can hide it too, moving it to a locked, hidden folder. When an app is locked or hidden, content such as messages or emails within the app are hidden from search, notifications and elsewhere across the system, Apple said.
The new software will also introduce new accessibility updates including eye tracking, a built-in option for navigating iPhone with only the eyes.
AI-powered services to boost bottom line
Industry analysts expect the launch of Apple Intelligence will enhance the company's offerings, attract a larger global user base and potentially boost sales.
Last month, Apple reported an annual drop in its March quarter net profit and revenue. It reported a 2.2 per cent annual drop in the 2024 fiscal's second-quarter net profit to more than $23.6 billion.
Revenue during the January-March period dropped more than 4 per cent to $90.8 billion, slightly exceeding analysts’ estimates of $90 billion.
Apple's stock, which closed 1.91 per cent down at $193.12 on Monday, jumped on Tuesday morning. It surged 5.77 per cent to trade at $204.26 a share at 8.35pm UAE time (12.35pm New York time), giving the company a market valuation of $3.13 trillion.
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Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000