WWDC 2024 recap: Apple Intelligence, smarter Siri, iOS 18 updates and more

The countdown commences...

So, good morning Apple fans! Mike Lowe here, T3's Tech Editor, to kick things off, while the whole T3 team gears up for the big event tonight. In just 10 hours we'll be in the thick of it.

But hopefully we won't need to trudge through it. Unlike many Apple WWDC events, which tend to focus on hardware too, this year it's believed there's going to be a lot of deep-dive into artificial intelligence and, I would suspect, ethics surrounding the topic – in a similar way to how Google handled the topic with its I/O event. 

The only hardware I'm really expecting isn't a reveal, per se, rather an availability announcement: it's strongly anticipated that Apple's Vision Pro will be announced with international on-sale dates. Which is still a pretty big deal, of course.

So let's see what is uncovered throughout the day prior to the event kicking off proper, with Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, expected on stage (or perhaps via video stream, which seems a common theme now)...

The whole "Apple doesn't do AI" thing

While today's showcase is a big opportunity for Apple to go big on its own AI software endeavours, I keep hearing reference that "Apple doesn't do AI". 

Wrong! The buzzer shows a big red cross! Apple does indeed use AI in all kinds of applications. Think about Portrait mode in the iPhone cameras – that uses subject recognition and machine learning algorithms to apply computationally rendered bokeh effects. All of which is AI – just without anyone shouting those two key acronym letters from the rooftops. 

And let's not forget: Apple's own silicon, with its Neural Engine, is literally hardware designed for AI processes. That's the equivalent of a Neural Processing Engine, or NPU, something that's been appearing in chip architecture for many years – in the iPhone the A11 Bionic chip featured a Neural Engine and that was seven years ago, in 2017! On-device hardware with M-series also features significant Neural Engine power. 

So WWDC today is about Apple making a statement. It's got the hardware in place and there's obviously more to come. The next step is leveraging that with tangible software features and the right marketing that'll have everyone shouting about 'Apple AI' or whatever various layers its programmes will be called. It's the necessary move, too, given how deep Google and other major players have already been in pronouncing their AI strategies. 

HomeKit and HomeOS rumours

While WWDC attracts the usual faces – Apple invites its usual inner circle from around the globe to Cupertino each year – but there are some newcomers and additions this year. Which is notable because they're outside of the typical areas of publishing. 

Brett.Tech, as one example, is a renowned smart home TikTok creator. Yep, smart home may have its day, people! One of his posts covers the rumours around homeOS, which hasn't been widely discussed.

@brett.tech

♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K

He predicts that with improvements to Siri, HomeKit and iOS that an upgraded and AI-capable smart home would be feasible – one that would contextually learn your behaviours from your iPhone and reduce the need to programme specific automation.

iOS 18 has already leaked

Well, that didn't take long did it? As summarised in this morning's T3 news story: "a huge leak has revealed the key new features Siri will be getting in iOS 18, including app and system settings control, smart features such as AI-generated email and news summaries".

The leak comes from AppleInsider and highlights new features coming to Apple's core apps, which includes Books, Calendar, Camera, Contacts, Files, Freeform, Keynote, Mail, News, Notes, Reminders, and Safari. Each of those and more apps will be getting the AI treatment. 

That sounds like your iPhone 15 Pro Max will be getting a free upgrade then, as surely iOS 18 will leverage current hardware and bring AI updates to the existing range of the best iPhones? I reckon so. Check out T3's iOS 18 leak story for more information on what each app is said to add with the power of AI. 

App locking via Face ID

As part of that iOS 18 leak, there's one new feature that I reckon parents are going to love: app locking via Face ID should be coming to iOS 18 and iPadOS. 

The rumour suggests that you'll be able to lock specific apps behind a Face ID "shield" to prevent other people from accessing content or apps you don't want them to access. Ideal if you're a parent handing a phone over to your kids, let's say. 

Or perhaps you just want to add an additional layer of security to specific apps. Sure, at the moment you can lock down in certain ways: by creating hidden apps in Photos, locking up your Recently Deleted photos album, or hiding things in Notes. But a new Face ID layer would be more customisable and easier to use. 

So how will this work? Check out T3's news story from this morning, detailing how a new Face ID security layer addition in iOS 18 will function.

Show me the hardware

For all the talk of AI, however, I do hope Apple doesn't completely forego hardware. By which I mean: please release the Vision Pro to wider markets (i.e. the UK).

I would bet that this will be on the cards, though. After all, we've waited over four months since the product's release in the USA – and all has been quiet. 

Not that the reviews have been as quiet: critics and customers alike have pointed out peak positives and questionable negatives in Apple's wearable 'spatial computing' product.

There's no doubt it's an innovation: indeed, Vision Pro netted a T3 2024 Award, so while the review round-ups have been mixed (and hint at a second- or third-gen model being amazing), there's no doubt that this product is the first in many years to excite to such a degree. 

So besides the iOS 18 new features and more advanced Siri, I'm awaiting a Vision Pro rollout – perhaps with some new additional features by virtue of those software upgrades. We'll know by the end of the day either way.

Here's why we might see hardware

Good morning all, it's Mat Gallagher here with you for the next few hours. Before I change into my special Apple Park T-shirt ready for tonight's event, I'm going to be sharing news and rumours in the runup. 

The big question for tonight seems to be, will there be hardware? Google I/O ditched its hardware section this year and so there are rumours that Apple might do the same. While it would certainly make sense, given the potential amount of AI there is to talk about, I think there's still a case that we might get some hardware. Here's why. 

The M4 silicon chip was introduced just over a month ago, and now sits exclusively in the iPad Pro models. Though no one will say it, that means that the iPad Pro is more powerful than the MacBook Air and base-level MacBook Pro machines. 

So, an update to those machines – bringing them up to M4 chips – would make sense. It's likely to be a simple update and leave nothing else changed on the device, but it would make sense at this stage. 

Then there's the case for the M4 Pro, M4 Max and even the M4 Ultra chips. These would likely follow for the higher-end MacBook Pro models and the Mac Studio devices. Last year at WWDC 2023, the M2 Ultra was revealed with these updates, so maybe we'll see a repeat. 

Home is where the heart is

While there will of course be a focus on what AI can do for the iPhone and the Mac, where it's likely to get really interesting is in the home. Apple has the ecostructure in place for a great smart home system, but it's never really taken off. 

Right now you can use the HomePod speakers with the Apple TV and tie it all into to Apple's Home app to control these and most other smart devices. However, i'd love to see this do more, and hopefully with this update it will. 

I've been wishing for Apple to release more of a home hub device for sometime – a form of HomePod with an iPad attached – and a dedicated Home OS could pave the way for that. 

Apple Swag

Looks like some interesting swag from Infinite Loop for all those attending. Sofia on X has been showing the selection of pin badges, T-Shirt and water bottle for those that arrived yesterday for the Apple Design Award.

How many times will the presenters say AI?

As this year's WWDC is likely to be pretty AI heavy, there's a chance the term AI will be said a lot. At Google I/O this year the term was apparently used over 120 times in its two hour presentation. Will Apple beat that? 

With its neural engine on board, Apple has been talking about AI, without talking about AI for many years, so maybe there won't be quite the same need to badge everything with the term as we've seen in other events. But then again...

An upgrade for everyone

The advantage of an OS update as opposed to a new product is that everyone with a reasonably current device will benefit from it. All the new features mentioned today will of course be available on brand new devices in September, but they will also be available on your current iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch etc. 

After today Beta versions of the software will start to become available and Apple now makes it easy for anyone that wants to, to try out a Beta version. In your software updates panel on your device, there will be a Beta updates option. If you turn this on, you'll be able to download the latest Beta edition. 

Being a Beta rather than final version can mean that not everything works perfectly, and you might get the odd glitch. However, Apple's public Betas have been pretty stable and so as long as you're all backed up, there's no reason not to give it a try. Just remember, it's not quite as simple to switch back. 

More to Mac?

Good afternoon, tech fans! T3's beloved Staff Writer, Sam Cross, here to take you through to the first pitter patter's of technological tidbits.

Personally, I'm excited for a new MacOS offering. The MacBook is just about the only Apple product left in my daily tech bag, and I'm interested to see what can be done to improve on the form.

Last time out, MacOS 14 brought us widgets and improvements to the video conferencing software, as part of a more gentle upgrade. With rumours of a general clean up of the menu system, better Siri and a more gamer-focussed edge, it looks like it could be another modest – but important – step for the system.

A special launch for a special year?

The sun is just about rising on the Californian coast, with the lucky few invited to attend in person ready to drink their coffee, eat their cereal and head on down to Apple Park.

One thing I've been thinking about recently is the potential for an anniversary Mac of some kind. This year marks 40 years since the original Macintosh, and I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least a passing nod to that triumph.

My dream of a modern iMac in a retro case? Well, that may be a little too much to ask...

About to heat up?

While many are looking forward to the new AI branded features expected on the iPhone, it may also prove to be a cause for concern. That's according to renowned Apple insider, Mark Gurman, who tweeted ahead of his arrival at the conference.

Gurman suggests that some of the features may be "especially buggy", with users advised – more now than ever before – to be cautious installing the software too quickly on their main device.

It will certainly be interesting to see just how much of what is on show becomes available right away.

If my calculations are correct...

Let's stay with Mr Gurman for a moment, as we dive into an exciting feature said to be coming to the iPad lineup. This is a long-awaited feature which is almost certain to please users.

Yes folks, the popular Apple inside man has confirmed that a Calculator app will come to the device for the first time. It has been a notable admission from the tablet range since its inception, and the brand seem to have finally come to their senses on that front.

According to the report, the same overall interface used on the current iPhone app will make its way to the iPad and the MacBook.

It's the final countdown

One important attendee of today's event is already at Apple Park bright and early. The brand's CEO, Tim Cook, has shared an image on Twitter of the sun rising over the iconic building.

It has become something of a tradition at these events, with the top man taking to Twitter to build some excitement as the sun starts to beam down on the show.

We'll all be waiting patiently to see what Apple has cooked up for us this time out.

Will we get a new Apple TV 4K?

Hi, news editor Rik here now to take us closer to the event.

One of the more persistent rumours of recent times is that we'll be getting a new Apple TV box soon – after all, the current Apple TV 4K was released at the end of 2022.

Sadly, it's doubtful we'll get a hardware refresh quite yet – the existing model is still widely considered to be among the best streaming devices – but there could well be some new features coming for the 64GB and 128GB variants.

Apple tvOS 18 will likely benefit from some of the new AI capabilities Apple is set to announce – possibly when it comes to Siri's search functionality. And, if homeOS does launch, it could affect how the Apple TV works with your smart home.

Either way, we don't have too long to wait to find out now.

In other Apple news...

While we're not likely to hear much about future iPhones, bar the software they will be running (iOS 18), a leak from a trustworthy source has revealed something interesting about the forthcoming iPhone 16 series.

Ice Universe claims to have found out that the iPhone 16 Pro models will come with the thinnest screen bezels of any phone ever!

It's a bold statement, but he says that the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 1.2mm bezel, while the Pro Max will have an even slimmer surround – 1.15mm. That's a 0.51mm and  0.4mm reduction year-on-year respectively.

It could allow Apple to slightly increase the screen size or even reduce the girth of the handsets themselves.

We won't find out for sure until September though, when the handsets traditionally launch.

Who's watching the watchOS?

Although there have been plenty of leaks on iOS 18 and Apple's AI plans, we've not heard anywhere near as much on the new watchOS.

That might be because Apple doesn't plan to add much this year, when it releases watchOS 11. Indeed, Bloomberg's Apple expert, Mark Gurman, claims it'll just be a "fairly minor" update – certainly in comparison with new system software for other devices.

It is tipped instead that the company will announce a bigger refresh of its Apple Watch lineup later this year, with the hardware being reconfigured in some way. That could include the long-awaited Apple Watch X.

"Thank you for being here..."

No matter how enthusiastic you are to watch the WWDC keynote (which is now just an hour-and-a-half away) you are unlikely to be as enthusiastic as the staff at Apple Park.

If only we were greeted every day like developer Filip Molčan was when he arrived earlier.

Make sure you make a cup of coffee... or tea... or gin!

Although Apple hasn't officially said how long its keynote presentation will last, last year's event ran for over two hours and the calendar invite added by the official site does hint that we could be in for a similar stretch. Just make sure you've got a coffee or another beverage lined up before it starts.

Admittedly, we did get some new Mac devices and the Apple Vision Pro, last year, so there was arguably more to talk about. But I wouldn't be surprised if the new AI stuff takes up an hour on its own.