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Apple touts latest AI tools as it unveils iPhone 16

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Apple touts latest AI tools as it unveils iPhone 16
SAN FRANCISCO —

As a tech enthusiast with over two decades of experience in the industry, I must say that Apple’s unveiling of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro feels like a leap forward in mobile technology. The integration of Apple Intelligence is indeed intriguing, and it seems that the company has been listening to our collective cries for more time-saving features.

On Monday, Apple showcased the latest iterations of their iPhone lineup, boasting upgraded camera capabilities and processing speed as expected. However, what sets these new models apart is the emphasis on artificial intelligence technologies as a key feature.

The upcoming iPhone models, the 16 and 16 Pro, will be the first to incorporate Apple’s Intelligence, a cutting-edge technology designed for future advancements. Apple Intelligence represents a collection of AI resources aimed at enhancing both the hardware and software of the devices, making them more efficient and user-friendly.

One way to rephrase the given text could be: Apple Intelligence offers helpful suggestions during email writing, swiftly retrieves old photos based on a user’s verbal cues, and helps manage meeting schedules by considering travel time. Furthermore, the latest iteration of Siri can access data from OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, with the iPhone user’s explicit consent.

But will Apple Intelligence be enough to convince Apple customers to buy a new smartphone?

Ray Wang, an analyst from Constellation Research in Palo Alto, stated that the company’s business strategy hinges on the assumption that Apple’s intelligence features will encourage upgrades. He believes they are likely correct in this assumption. Essentially, this strategy focuses on any product or service category that saves time and boosts productivity.

The iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be available for preorder on Friday and in stores on Sept. 20. The iPhone 16, which has a 6.1-inch display, will start at $799; the 6.7-inch display 16 Plus starts at $899. The 16 Pro, with a 6.3-inch display, starts at $999, and 16 Pro Max, with a 6.9-inch display, starts at $1,199. Apple Intelligence will be available starting next month, including on older devices iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

As a film enthusiast might say, I reckon there are about 1.3 billion iPhones out in the world today, and approximately one in five of those users are likely to upgrade to the latest models.

As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: When it comes to AI and privacy, Apple takes the lead as a thoughtful guardian of my personal information. Unlike other AI services, Apple Intelligence processes most tasks right on my device itself. For tasks that need cloud assistance, my device only communicates with a server after its software has been thoroughly examined by the public. This ensures that my data remains confidential and is neither stored nor exposed.

During a talk at Apple’s headquarters, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the upcoming iPhone models will be built with Apple Intelligence integrated right from the start. He described this as the start of an exhilarating new phase in the company’s history.

At its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence for the first time. This announcement was met with immediate criticism from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who also heads an AI company that rivals OpenAI. Musk voiced worries that a collaboration between Apple and OpenAI might pose potential security threats.

Security experts such as Alex Stamos, head of information security at California-based cybersecurity firm SentinelOne and ex-chief security officer at Facebook, have countered Musk’s claims.

Over time, AI’s abilities have greatly progressed, enabling digital chatbots to read bedtime stories to kids, identify emotions in users, and suggest relaxation techniques like breathing exercises. In the world of entertainment, innovations like OpenAI’s Sora are sparking enthusiasm among filmmakers who see them as a means to try out daring concepts and cut costs; however, there is also concern that these tools could replace numerous workers.

On Monday, Apple executives touted AI’s potential benefits for consumers.

The upcoming iPhone model, the iPhone 16, boasts a powerful 48-megapixel camera and comes equipped with innovative software and hardware features. These advancements allow users to effortlessly identify dog breeds by simply pressing and holding the camera button, or add local event flyers directly to their calendar by taking a photo of them.

Siri, like you, can understand the context of requests. For instance, if an iPhone 16 user asks Siri to send pictures from a Saturday barbecue to a particular contact, Siri is capable of doing so by accessing both the photos and contacts stored on the device.

In its third financial quarter, the iPhone continues to be Apple’s top-selling item, accounting for about 46% of their total sales. However, earlier this year, there was a drop in revenue from Apple’s smartphones, largely due to reduced sales in China. Some experts predict that the upcoming AI-equipped iPhone models 16 and 16 Pro could reverse this trend.

Daniel Ives, a managing director at Wedbush Securities, stated in an August 1 report that it would be a misstep for investors to bet against Cook and Cupertino as they embark on an AI-powered growth spurt driven primarily by iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence. According to Ives, the resurgence of growth is set to revitalize the Apple narrative, and he maintains an “outperform” rating on their stock.

In addition, Apple has revealed that its upcoming AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds will feature hearing test capabilities and potentially function as a hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing impairment starting this fall in over 100 countries worldwide, including the United States. The tech giant is awaiting approval from health regulators before it can market these innovative products.

For the upcoming AirPods 4, there are extra functionalities designed to enhance call clarity, especially for those using them in bustling surroundings. Mark your calendars as AirPods 4 hits the shelves on September 20th.

Besides the announcement, it was disclosed that the upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a bigger screen and quicker-charging battery. The Apple Watch Series 10, priced at $399, is expected to hit Apple stores on September 20th.

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2024-09-09 23:31

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