Each year, Apple and Google unveil major software updates that bring exciting new features to our smartphones. These include home screen makeovers, enhanced privacy protections, and fun messaging tools. This year, however, the changes are set to be more transformative than ever, as both companies are focusing on reinventing our phones with artificial intelligence.
Apple’s AI Enhancements in iOS 18
During its annual developer conference on Monday, Apple showcased a variety of new features coming to iOS 18 this fall. These updates include a significantly improved version of Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, and a robust AI system capable of generating images, summarizing web articles, and crafting responses to texts and emails.
Last month, Google announced its Android updates, featuring an AI that summarizes audio transcripts, detects potential phone scams, and assists students with homework.
Despite AI being relatively new, it remains uncertain how these improvements will be received by the general public. However, one immediate change is the improvement in text messaging. Apple plans to adopt a messaging standard that will enable iPhone users to send higher-quality messages to Android devices, addressing a long-standing issue in cross-platform communication.
Siri Gets an AI Upgrade
Apple has completely revamped Siri, transforming it into a more intuitive and capable assistant. Powered by Apple Intelligence, a sophisticated AI model, Siri will now process conversational context and allow for more natural interactions. For instance, users can seamlessly ask about the weather in different locations or schedule appointments with ease.
This new Siri can handle more complex tasks, such as searching your photo library for specific images and extracting information to fill out forms. It will also generate personalized images within messages, like creating an avatar of a friend for birthday wishes.
In addition, the AI will enhance productivity in apps like Mail and Notes, allowing users to highlight text for proofreading or stylistic changes. In the Safari browser, users can generate summaries of highlighted articles.
Apple has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT capabilities into Siri, helping with tasks like generating recipe ideas. However, these advanced AI features will be available only on the latest iPhones, including the iPhone 15 Pro, this fall.
Google’s Android Overhaul with Gemini
Google’s new AI assistant, Gemini, will be available primarily on Pixel phones, with broader support expected later this year. Similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Gemini generates responses to various prompts and can now handle AI tasks directly on Pixel phones for better privacy.
One notable feature is scam detection, where AI listens to phone calls and alerts users if a conversation appears to be a scam. Another feature, Circle to Search, helps students solve math or physics problems by circling them on their screens, with AI providing step-by-step solutions.
Gemini Nano, a new version of Gemini, can summarize audio transcripts, which is useful for meetings. Additionally, the Magic Compose tool can rewrite messages in different styles within the Google Messages app.
Improving Texting Between iPhone and Android
Apple is addressing the long-standing issue of poor-quality messages between iPhones and Androids. With iOS 18, Apple will adopt the Rich Communication Services standard, improving the quality of images and videos sent between the two platforms.
This update is expected to significantly enhance communication between iPhone and Android users, who have long faced issues with deteriorated image quality. The Justice Department, which has accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly through such restrictions, views this change as a positive step.
Apple is also introducing a feature to schedule messages in the iMessage app, allowing users to send messages at more appropriate times, such as when the recipient is off work.
For more updates on these groundbreaking changes, visit The Economic Times. This article may contain affiliate links, which could earn commissions for Microsoft and/or the publisher if products or services are purchased through them.