Apple is not planning to launch new iPad models until around March 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims.
In the most recent "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the new Apple Pencil with USB-C comes ahead of an iPad refresh in the spring. He added that Apple has been working on the 11th-generation iPad, seventh-generation iPad mini, and sixth-generation iPad Air for some time.
Apple is apparently planning to release new iPads in March, which will likely "at least" include these three refreshed devices. The next-generation iPad Pro is also a possibility, but only the "more minor" iPad updates appear to be locked down for the spring at the current time.
Gurman added that he anticipates that the first-generation Apple Pencil will be discontinued alongside the ninth-generation iPad, since there will no longer be any new iPads on sale from Apple with a Lightning connector at that point. This change is not expected to happen "anytime soon."
Apple is developing a large array of features that use generative AI, including a new version Siri, that could launch next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that despite Apple CEO Tim Cook's claim that Apple has been working on generative AI technology for years, Apple's executives were "caught off guard" by the industry's sudden interest in AI and have been anxiously "scrambling since late last year to make up for lost time."
Apple's senior vice president of machine learning and AI strategy, John Giannandrea, and senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi are apparently leading the company's AI efforts. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, is also involved in the push.
Giannandrea is said to be overseeing development of the underlying technologies for a new AI system. Most notably, his team is working on a new, "smarter version of Siri" that is deeply integrated with AI. Gurman says it could be ready as soon as next year.
On the other hand, Federighi is supervising the integration of AI into to the next major version of iOS by introducing features running on Apple's large language model (LLM). Among the new features is a revamped interaction between Siri and the Messages app, enabling users to field complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively. Federighi's team is also looking at integrating AI into Xcode to help developers write code more quickly, bringing it in line with services like Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.
Cue is reportedly attempting to add AI to as many Apple apps as possible, including features in Apple Music, such as auto-generated playlists, and productivity apps like Pages and Keynote, where AI could assist with writing or creating slide decks. Apple is also apparently testing the use of generative AI for internal customer service apps within AppleCare.
Apple is purportedly on course to spend $1 billion per year on AI research. Whether Apple should deploy generative AI as a completely on-device experience, a cloud-based setup, or a hybrid approach, is currently a source of debate internally.
Gurman previously reported that Apple is working on a chatbot tool that some engineers have dubbed "Apple GPT" to rival OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Apple is planning a Mac-focused product launch, likely including the announcement of a refreshed 24-inch iMac, for the end of this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is "planning a Mac-centered product launch around the end of this month" that could see the the release of a refreshed 24-inch iMac model, which is long overdue a hardware update. The current model launched in April 2021 and it is the only current-generation Mac left with the M1 chip. Gurman has repeatedly said that Apple's next iMac will skip the M2 and feature the M3 chip instead, but he declined to mention which chip the new machine will feature in this newsletter.
Gurman noted that Apple retail stores are now in short supply of the iMac, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and many configurations now will not arrive until mid-November, in what he believes is "a clear sign that something is about to happen" regarding these three machines. He added that Apple has "made headway" on new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. While the current, M2 Pro and M2 Max 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launched in January, he thinks that an "additional update the same year would be unusual, but not inconceivable."
Gurman believes that the upcoming Mac announcement will take place on Monday, October 30 or Tuesday, October 31, followed by Apple's earnings call on Thursday, November 2. He does not expect any of the new Macs to feature major changes other than new processors, but mused that there could be minor improvements to their displays.
Gurman also reiterated rumors that next-generation MacBook Air models with M3 chips will not launch until early 2024 and that a larger "pro" version of the iMac with a 32-inch display and a new design is tabled for late 2024 or 2025. Mac redesigns are apparently likely to occur when Apple begins adding touchscreens to the lineup further in the future.
The change means subscribers to the streaming service can now choose to use voice commands to start YouTube Music on a HomePod, without having to append "on YouTube Music" to every request. From Google's support document:
YouTube Music is supported on the following Apple HomePod models: Apple HomePod 1st Generation, Apple HomePod 2nd Generation, Apple HomePod Mini.
With YouTube Music on Apple HomePod, you can: – Use Siri voice commands or physical touch controls on Apple HomePod to play music – Handoff playback between your Apple HomePod and iPhone, and vice versa – Control playback in the Apple Home app.
Tap the More button (three encircled dots) in the top-right corner.
Tap Home Settings.
Tap your username under the "People" section.
Tap Default Service and choose YouTube Music.
Note that to connect YouTube Music to HomePod, you will need to have either a YouTube Music or YouTube Premium account.
Apple has supported a handful of third-party music services on HomePod for the last couple of years, and the functionality is already available with Pandora, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and TuneIn Radio.
Other music services including Spotify have not supported this option even though Apple made the SiriKit Media feature available in iOS 14, so it remains limited in scope. With the direct play function, users can set a third-party service as a default music option, and when Siri on HomePod is asked to play content, Siri will play music from the selected service.
Update:Kosutami has since revealed that the LcdUTest app shown on the HomePod's display has been superimposed and doesn't exist in the original picture, but the LCD display panel shown on the HomePod is real.
Apple is rumored to be developing a new HomePod with a screen, and new images shared online allegedly give us a first glimpse of the new smart speaker.
The above image appears to show a HomePod similar in size to the second-generation HomePod that was launched earlier this year, but with what appears to be a functioning LCD display on the top.
The image was shared by device collector and leaker known as "Kosutami," who has previously shared accurate pre-release information about Apple's FineWoven accessories, various prototypes such as the MagSafe chargers and AirPods in different color options, and more.
Earlier in the day, Kosutami also shared images of component parts allegedly belonging to a prototype HomePod that features a large touch screen sensor at the top, with a much larger area than the current HomePod panel.
Separately, 9to5Mac claims to have verified the legitimacy of these images with its own sources, and says that the prototype, codenamed B720, is a new product being actively worked on by Apple, rather than something that the company has experimented with in the past.
According to 9to5Mac, the LcdUTest app shown on the assembled HomePod's display panel is an internal app used by engineers to test the new display. The outlet says that code in tvOS 17 suggests that Apple Music and Apple Podcasts are the first apps being rewritten to be compatible with the new display, which will show a blurred animation based on the colors of the album art when a song or podcast is playing. The screen could also potentially show important notifications.
An Engineering build HomePod frameshell with a completely different glass on top- it’s set for touchscreen, with black bezel The design of shell is similar to HomePod 2nd gen's, not the 1st gen—it stands might decided add 🖥️ for 2's but not at last, OR it’s next generation pic.twitter.com/W5zRIVGPiK
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) October 21, 2023
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman was first to suggest in 2021 that Apple is working on new HomePods with displays and cameras. Earlier this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple plans to release a redesigned HomePod with a 7-inch display in the first half of 2024.
After a flurry of rumors suggesting we might see some new iPad models this week, a new Apple Pencil turned out to actually be what was in the cards. The new Apple Pencil charges via USB-C, launches early next month, and is the cheapest model in a lineup that now includes three different Apple Pencils.
This week saw some additional rumors about future iPad and iMac models, while we're continuing to hear more about next year's iPhone 16 lineup, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
New Apple Pencil Announced With Hidden USB-C Port and More
Apple this week announced a new lower-cost Apple Pencil that will be sold alongside the original Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil 2. It will be available in early November, with U.S. pricing set at $79.
The new Apple Pencil has a similar design as the Apple Pencil 2, but with a USB-C port hidden under a sliding cap for charging and pairing over a USB-C cable. It is compatible with all iPad models equipped with a USB-C port, including the lower-end iPad 10.
A preview of the report earlier this week indicated that a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air would be coming in the next update to the lineup, presumably alongside an updated 10.9-inch model, but the full article is less clear about the prospects for a 12.9-inch consumer model.
The report confusingly also claims that the next 12.9-inch iPad Pro will revert to traditional LCD backlighting rather than using the more advanced mini-LED backlighting found on the current model, while also mentioning upcoming iPad Pro models with OLED displays. Stay tuned for additional rumors that will hopefully clear things up.
New 24-Inch iMac Rumored to Launch in 2024
Apple plans to release a new 24-inch iMac in 2024, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The current model with the M1 chip was announced in April 2021 and is now quite old.
If Kuo is accurate, there will not be a new iMac this year. The all-in-one desktop computer is expected to be updated with a faster M3 chip eventually, but no design changes have been rumored for the next model.
Generative AI surged in popularity last year when the company OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other prompts, and Apple has been ramping up its work on similar technology.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Chinese smartphone company OnePlus this week introduced its first foldable smartphone, the OnePlus Open. OnePlus joins several other manufacturers that have come out with foldable smartphones, including Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi. We picked up the OnePlus Open to see how it compares to Apple's latest flagship, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The OnePlus Open is similar to the Galaxy Fold in that it opens up like a book. When folded, the cover screen has a 6.31-inch display that's about in the middle of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in terms of size. Unfolded, the display measures in at 7.82 inches, so a bit smaller than the iPad mini. The displays are OLED and support a 120Hz refresh rate, with OnePlus advertising a "Ceramic Guard" cover glass, which sounds almost identical to the Ceramic Shield that Apple uses.
When it comes to form factor, the OnePlus Open is nothing like the iPhone 15 Pro Max from Apple since Apple hasn't delved into foldable smartphones as of yet, but there are similar components inside. The OnePlus Open has a premium feel, and size wise, it's between the Z Fold5 and the Pixel Fold. It is able to fold down flat with a crease that's almost unnoticeable, plus it's thin and lightweight.
The Open is 11.7mm thick when it's folded in half, but when you open it up, it's 5.8mm. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 8.25mm thick. As for weight, it is 239 grams, or 18 grams heavier than the 15 Pro Max.
OnePlus has a partnership with camera company Hasselblad, and it is using a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 64-megapixel telephoto camera with 6x in-sensor lossless zoom, and a 48-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera. There's also a 20-megapixel front-facing selfie camera accessible when the OnePlus Open is unfolded, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera that can be used when it's closed.
Design wise, the lenses are in a large circular housing at the back of the device, which OnePlus likens to a the face of a luxury watch. The lens housing is super massive, and it can be hard to get photos from some of the lenses without your fingers getting in the way.
Other features include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform, 16GB RAM, a fingerprint sensor power button, a 4,805mAh battery, and support for Wi-Fi 7.
The OnePlus Open is available for pre-order as of now, and it is set to launch on October 26. It is priced starting at $1,700.
What do you think of the OnePlus Open? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple is unlikely to release any new Macs or iPads for the remainder of 2023, according to a series of predictions shared in recent weeks by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Macs
Last month, Kuo said Apple was unlikely to release any new MacBooks with the M3 chip this year. All existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are equipped with M2 series chips, so any new models would presumably be equipped with M3 chips, which effectively means that Kuo does not expect any new MacBooks at all for the rest of 2023.
Earlier this week, Kuo added that the 24-inch iMac would be updated next in 2024, ruling out an update to the all-in-one desktop computer this year. All other desktop Macs, including the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, were already updated in 2023 and are highly unlikely to be updated again until 2024 or later.
Apple has yet to release any new iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, or entry-level iPad models this year. If that trend continues for the remainder of 2023 as expected, it would be the first calendar year with no new iPads released in the device's 13-year history.
Apple today seeded a second release candidate (RC) version of iOS 17.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a few days after Apple seeded the first RC. The second release candidate is limited to iPhone 15 models, and it won't be available for download on other devices.
Registered developers are able to opt into the iOS 17.1 beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
iOS 17.1 adds the option to favorite songs, albums, playlists, artists, and more, with favorited content added to the Library and used for suggestions. Favoriting can be done from the Lock Screen using the Now Playing widget, plus when starting a playlist, you'll now see Song Suggestions.
AirDrop transfers can be finished over the internet so close proximity does not need to be maintained, and an Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1 can now use NameDrop with an iPhone running iOS 17.1. On the iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 17.1 ensures you won't activate the Camera or Flashlight in your pocket.
Other new features include a flashlight indicator in the Dynamic Island for non iPhone 15 Pro models, and a Wallet feature that lets U.S. Discover card users and those in the UK connect their banks to see balances and transactions. Apple's release notes for the update are below:
AirDrop - Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range
StandBy - New options to control when the display turns off (iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Music - Favorites expanded to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library - New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist - Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes: - Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen - Home key support for Matter locks - Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices - Fixes an issue that may cause the Significant Location privacy setting to reset when transferring an Apple Watch or pairing it for the first time - Resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call - Addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone - Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive - Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models) - Fixes an issue that may cause display image persistence
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
More information on some of the unmentioned features in iOS 17.1 can be found in our available in our iOS 17.1 features article. iOS 17.1 is expected to launch next week.
Highlights of this week's deals include a rare sale on the Sonos Move speaker at $100 off and a huge collection of Anker USB-C accessory discounts. You'll also find solid sales on the AirPods 3 at Verizon and the 10th generation iPad at Amazon
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Anker
What's the deal? Take up to 50% off Anker accessories
Anker kicked off its pre-Black Friday sale this week, with up to 50 percent off select charging accessories. This includes low prices on USB-C chargers and portable batteries, some of which we've collected below. You'll also find some of the accessories are being matched on Amazon, and note that many of these deals will expire this Sunday.
Sonos introduced a rare discount on its first generation Move speaker this week, available for $299.00, down from $399.00. This version of the Sonos Move supports AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an 11 hour battery life, voice and touch controls, and has IP56 water resistance. It's available in Lunar White and Shadow Black at this 25 percent discount.
Verizon has discounts on both models of the AirPods 3, priced at $149.99 for the Lightning model and $159.00 for the MagSafe model. These discounts are overall second-best prices on the AirPods 3, but we haven't tracked all-time low deals in months, so they're still good deals for anyone looking to purchase the AirPods 3 soon.
Apple's 10th generation iPad hit $399.00 this week on Amazon in every color, and they're all still on sale today. This is $50 in savings and a solid second-best discount on the tablet.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with accessory company TUO to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a HomePod mini and a Matter-compatible TUO Smart Button to go along with it.
Priced at $34.95, TUO Smart Button is a simple accessory that is able to activate any of your home automations with the press of a button. TUO is the first Matter-certified Smart Button that supports Thread.
With Matter integration, it can be added to a HomeKit setup so long as you have an Apple Matter hub, which includes the HomePod 2, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K. Thread allows for better connectivity and interaction with other Thread-enabled products as long as you have a Thread border router. In the HomeKit ecosystem, the HomePod 2, HomePod mini, and the Apple TV 4K (latest $149 model) have Border router support, as do many other HomeKit devices.
The Smart Button has a simple, straightforward design and it can be placed anywhere in the home. It comes with a magnetic wall plate and a set of stickers that you can add to denote what the button does. Because it's so compact (about an inch and a half), it is unassuming and blends well with decor.
While there's a single button, it supports a total of three gestures, including a single press, a double press, and a long press. That means three separate actions or automations can be activated with the TUO Smart Button. According to TUO, the button can even be used as an "unofficial" doorbell when it's set up to play a sound on a connected smart speaker.
Automations in HomeKit can encompass several actions, like turning off all of the lights in one room at a time, so the TUO Smart Button offers quite a bit of flexibility with the three button options. The entire top part of the TUO can be pressed down, so it is easy to activate your automations even with the small size of the device.
The TUO Smart Button uses a CR2032 battery that is able to last around a year depending on how much the button is used. Aside from Thread, it is also able to connect to a HomeKit setup using Bluetooth. If you don't have HomeKit, or have a home with multiple smart home platforms, the Smart Button also works with other Matter-supported systems.
We have five TUO Smart Buttons and five HomePod mini speakers to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (October 20) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 27. The winners will be chosen randomly on or shortly after October 27 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
YouTuber Luke Miani joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss the new Apple Pencil with USB-C, the direction of the iPad lineup, and Vision Pro.
We talk through our immediate thoughts on Apple's newly announced Apple Pencil model featuring a USB-C port for pairing and charging, leading us to contemplate how to clean up the iPad lineup as a whole. We compare Apple's Vision Pro headset to the iPad and consider whether it is destined for similar criticisms or if it truly offers more potential in the long-term. We also discuss the latest rumors about a foldable iPad, which a recent report suggested could be announced as soon as next year, and whether such a device could breathe new life into the iPad lineup.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion with Lucid Senior Vice President of Digital and former Apple executive Mike Bell about the iPhone, AirPort, Vision Pro, CarPlay, and more.
Apple this week announced a new lower-cost Apple Pencil compatible with all iPad models equipped with a USB-C port. It launches in early November and will be sold alongside the original Apple Pencil and the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Key Facts About the New Apple Pencil
It has a similar design as the Apple Pencil 2, but with a USB-C port hidden under a sliding cap for charging and pairing over a USB-C cable.
It is compatible with all iPad models equipped with a USB-C port.
It attaches magnetically to compatible iPads, including the tenth-generation iPad, but it does not support wireless charging or wireless pairing.
Unlike the Apple Pencil 2, the new model lacks pressure sensitivity on an iPad screen, a double-tap gesture for switching between drawing tools, and the option for personal engraving at the time of purchase.
It supports the Apple Pencil hover feature when used with the latest iPad Pro models, released in October 2022.
It weighs roughly the same as the Apple Pencil 2, but it is around 7% shorter.
In the U.S., it costs $79 for the general public and $69 for students. This is cheaper than the first two generations of the Apple Pencil, which remain available for $99 and $129, respectively.
It launches in early November. Apple has not provided a specific release date.
Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 has hit a new all-time low price today on Amazon, available for $444.60, down from $699.99. This is the newest M80C model of the Smart Monitor, and the only color Amazon has at this price is Warm White.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This beats the previous low price seen during Prime Day by about $55, and it's a deal that's only available on Amazon as of writing. Samsung launched this refreshed version of the Smart Monitor M8 back in June, including updates like HDR10+ support and a portrait orientation option.
Apple TV+ show "The Problem With Jon Stewart" has been canceled because of "creative differences" between Stewart and Apple executives, reports The New York Times.
Members of the show's staff were informed about its end on Thursday, according to several people with knowledge of the situation, just a couple of weeks before episodes for the third season were scheduled to begin.
The editorial disagreements reportedly revolved around some of the planned guests on "The Problem," as well as potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence that were causing concern among Apple executives. Apple did not respond to NYT's request for comment.
Apple in 2020 secured a multi-year deal with the writer, producer, and former host of "The Daily Show", which saw Stewart return to television following his 2015 retirement.
The name of the show, "The Problem with Jon Stewart," is a nod to the issues that Stewart explored on the current affairs new series, with topics in the 20 episodes ranging from what's in the national conversation to issues that are part of Stewart's advocacy work.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple's next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro will revert to an LCD display instead of adopting OLED panel technology, claims a controversial new report coming out of Asia.
It has been widely reported that Apple's next iPad Pro models will be the first Apple tablets to debut superior OLED panels, with rumors suggesting they will begin shipping around the middle of next year. That's not necessarily the case, according to a confusing new DigiTimes report.
The Taiwan-based outlet now claims Apple will in fact revert to using LCD backlighting for its upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Pro model, putting it on par with the existing 11-inch model.
The current 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a mini-LED display that Apple calls a "Liquid Retina XDR display," while the 11-inch variant uses an inferior LCD-based "Liquid Retina Display."
The report alleges that the high production cost of using mini-LED backlights in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has been a "hurdle for broader industry adoption," and that Apple's pivot back to conventional backlight technology "could be motivated by the company's focus on scalability and market penetration."
As a result of the component changes, production of the new 12.9-inch iPads could be postponed to "early 2024 at the latest," having originally been slated to start in "early November," adds DigiTimes.
Several things don't add up in this latest report. As covered previously by MacRumors, DigiTimes on Thursday alluded to the same report in its "Before Going to Press" section by claiming that a forthcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air may feature LCD backlighting as opposed to the mini-LED backlighting used in the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
However, the fully published report no longer mentions this alleged larger "12.9-inch iPad Air," and simply makes a passing reference to "a new iPad Air" that will also use traditional LCD backlighting like the next iPad Pro.
To add to the confusion, the full article appears to contradict itself by repeating widely reported claims that "Apple might launch a new iPad Pro with AMOLED displays earliest in 2024, sourcing mainly from Samsung Display and LG Display." Whether the OLED model is meant to be in addition to the alleged 12.9-inch iPad Pro with LCD display previously mentioned is simply not specified.
Leaving aside the inconsistencies in the above claims, if the next 12.9-inch iPad Pro reverted from mini-LED to traditional LCD panel technology, it would be considered a major regression for Apple's most premium tablet offering, especially given that OLED display technology is perhaps the most anticipated upgrade coming to the next-generation iPad Pro models.
Given the contradictions in DigiTimes' reporting, not to mention its history for misinterpreting supply chain information, this claim alone should be taken with a large grain of salt until other sources can corroborate it.
With the explosive popularity of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, there have been rumors that Apple is working on its own AI product, and that some kind of "Apple GPT" artificial intelligence bot could launch in the future.
This guide highlights everything we know about Apple's experiments with AI, and it will be updated regularly as new rumors come out.
Internal Testing and Development
Apple's AI chief John Giannandrea is leading development on large language models within Apple, and Giannandrea reports directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Giannandrea established a team that works on conversational AI four years ago, and work has since ramped up.
For the last several months, Apple has been testing an "Apple GPT" rival that could compete with ChatGPT. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, work on AI is a priority for Apple, with the company designing an "Ajax" framework for large language models.
Apple has an internal chatbot that some engineers have been referring to as "Apple GPT," but Apple would not, of course, ever use that naming for a consumer product. Apple employees need special permission to use the chatbot, and its output cannot be used to develop new product features for customers. It is used for product prototyping and it is able to answer questions about the data that was used to train it.
Ajax is said to be more capable than the prior-generation ChatGPT 3.5, and it has been trained on more than 200 billion parameters. As of September 2023, OpenAI's newer models are more powerful than Ajax. Apple reportedly does not have a "clear strategy" for how it will create a generative AI product for consumers. Apple is experimenting with Siri enhancements, software that generates videos and images, and multimodal AI technology that works with images, videos, and text.
Apple is said to be spending millions of dollars a day on conversational AI research as training language models requires a lot of hardware. Apple is on track to spend more than $4 billion on AI servers in 2024.
"Ask" for AppleCare Support Advisors
Apple is testing a ChatGPT-style generative AI tool with its AppleCare support employees. Called "Ask," the tool is designed to generate responses to technical questions and provide information from Apple's internal knowledge base to speed up support replies.
The feature is in beta right now. Advisors can rate a provided question as helpful or unhelpful, and can ask up to five follow-up questions per topic. Apple says the Ask tool is useful for solving complex issues, and because it is pulling from Apple's internal knowledge base, Apple has told advisors that the information is factual, traceable, and useful.
AI for Siri
Apple's work on generative AI could eventually be incorporated into its Siri voice assistant. Apple in February 2023 held an AI summit and briefed employees on its large language model work.
Because of the way Siri is built, it may take Apple quite a bit of time to update its database to support new capabilities. Former Siri engineer John Burkey told The New York Times that Siri's "cumbersome design" means that adding new phrases requires rebuilding the Siri database, which can take up to six weeks each time, while more complicated features like search tools can take upwards of a year.
There are also privacy concerns that Apple needs to contend with to bring generative AI capabilities to Siri. Apple has always been more cautious than its competitors, putting privacy ahead of functionality, a decision that has caused Siri to lag behind Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-based personal assistant options.
The Information suggests that Apple is aiming to create a feature that would let Siri automate multi-step tasks, automatically performing tasks that are accomplished with Shortcuts today.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is aiming for a smarter version of Siri that's deeply integrated with AI. Apple is planning to update the way that Siri interacts with the Messages app, allowing users to field complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively.
Rumors suggest that Siri will have better natural conversation capabilities and improved user personalization. The new functionality will be available across device, so Siri may retain conversation information from one device to another.
AI for Apps
Apple is rumored to be planning to add AI to as many Apple apps as possible. In Apple Music, for example, Apple could use AI to create auto-generated playlists, while in Xcode, AI support could help developers write and troubleshoot code.
In Pages and Keynote, AI could be used for writing and creating slide decks, while Apple's internal customer support apps could be updated with generative AI to assist with AppleCare.
Apple's full generative AI vision will take time to fully scale, so the complete suite of AI features that Apple has planned might not arrive until 2025.
On-Device AI
The first AI features coming to the iPhone with iOS 18will run entirely on-device using the iPhone's hardware rather than relying on a cloud server. Apple may add new capabilities in the future through a potential partnership, but on-device AI will be the focus to begin with.
News and Publisher Deals
Apple wants to partner with major publishers to get permission to use their content for AI training purposes.
So far, Apple has approached Condé Nast, NBC News, and IAC about possible AI deals. Condé Nast publications include Vogue, Wired, Vanity Fair, Ars Technica, Glamour, The New Yorker, GQ, and more, while IAC owns publications like People, The Spruce, Serious Eats, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, Entertainment Weekly, and Better Homes & Gardens.
Proposed deals have been worth at least $50 million, and would allow Apple to license archives of news articles. Publishers are said to be "lukewarm" on Apple's offer because Apple has been vague about how generative AI will be applied to news and because Apple has been asking for terms that are "too expansive."
Third-Party AI Bans at Apple
Apple employees have been banned from using ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and other artificial intelligence tools. Apple is concerned that AI tools could leak confidential company data.
The U.S. government, healthcare institutions, and banks have also prevented employees from using ChatGPT because of similar fears. Tech companies like Verizon, Google, Samsung, and others have banned generative AI tools too.
Possible Partnerships
Apple is in discussions with Google about integrating the Gemini AI engine into the iPhone in iOS 18. Apple wants to license Google's large-language models, but terms and branding have not yet been decided on.
Apple is developing new AI features that will run on device, but it wants a partner with large-scale hardware infrastructure to power cloud-based generative AI features like creating images and writing essays based on a prompt. Apple does not plan to develop its own ChatGPT-style chatbot at this time.
In addition to Google, Apple is also holding discussions with OpenAI. The two companies are talking about how Apple could use OpenAI technology to power features in iOS 18, and Apple is said to be finalizing a deal to include OpenAI's ChatGPT features in iOS 18. In China, Apple may be considering a deal with Baidu.
Apple is pursuing a deal with Photobucket to use the more than 13 billion images and videos from the Photobucket library to train AI models. Apple has already licensed millions of images from Shutterstock.
AI Competition
Almost every major tech company has some kind of AI product in the works. In addition to OpenAI's popular ChatGPT chatbot, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have all adopted generative AI for various purposes.
Google - Google has developed Bard, a chat-based AI tool. Google has also integrated generative AI into its search products and apps, plus Bard can integrate with Google Flights, Maps, Drive, and more.
Microsoft - Microsoft has partnered with OpenAI for a version of ChatGPT that is integrated with its Bing search engine, plus Microsoft has the Copilot AI app.
Amazon - Amazon is working to enhance its Alexa voice assistant with generative AI.
Meta - Meta is incorporating generative AI into several of its apps. WhatsApp and Messenger, for example, can use generative AI to make custom stickers, while there's a Meta AI beta available for WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
Apple's Current Use of AI and Machine Learning
Apple is already using artificial intelligence and machine learning for a long list of functions in its products. AI is used for almost everything, with a small sampling below.
Photos - Apple uses machine learning to enhance photos that are taken with the iPhone's camera. This includes everything from Deep Fusion for cutting down on noise in images to the new iPhone 15 Portrait Mode tools that let you enable portrait images after a photo has been taken.
Spotlight Search - Spotlight search and search throughout the iOS operating system is powered by AI.
Visual Lookup - The feature that lets the iPhone detect the content in photos is a machine learning feature.
Crash Detection and Fall Detection - Fall Detection and Crash Detection both use machine learning to determine whether someone has been in a crash or had a fall based on the information collected by the various sensors in Apple devices.
ECG - The ECG feature on the Apple Watch looks at heart rhythm data to determine whether someone is likely to be experiencing atrial fibrillation.
Autocorrect - Apple's autocorrect system and word suggestion options are powered by machine learning.
Siri Suggestions - When your iPhone suggests something, such as sending someone a birthday message or adding an event in your Mail app to the Calendar, it's using machine learning algorithms.
Apple's devices have dedicated Neural Engines inside specifically for powering machine learning capabilities.
Tim Cook on AI
Back in May 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the potential of artificial intelligence is "very interesting," but he said there are a "number of issues that need to be sorted" with the technology. He explained that it is "very important to be deliberate and thoughtful" when deciding how and when AI should be used.
Cook has also said that AI and machine learning are "core fundamental technologies integral to virtually every product" that Apple has created, and that AI work is "absolutely critical" to the company. Cook has confirmed that Apple has been experimenting with generative AI "for years."
Potential Launch Date - iOS 18
Apple is widely rumored to be planning to add AI features to iOS 18, and the update is said to be the biggest update to the iOS operating system in years. Apple hinted at AI features coming to iOS 18 with its WWDC announcement. Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak said WWDC will be "Absolutely Incredible," with the words capitalized in a play on AI.
Alexa now natively supports Apple Podcasts on Amazon Echo and Amazon Fire TV devices in over 40 countries following the latest expansion of this integration.
Apple Podcasts for Alexa is now available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the U.K., and the U.S., according to an Apple support document updated today.
This integration allows you to ask Alexa to play podcasts from the Apple Podcasts app. You can link your Apple ID in the Alexa app to keep playback in sync across your Apple devices and supported Alexa devices. For example, you can start listening to a podcast episode through the Apple Podcasts app on CarPlay during your commute, and continue listening with your Echo speaker at home by asking Alexa to resume the podcast.
Apple Podcasts can also be set as your preferred podcast platform in the Alexa app.
For more details about this integration between Alexa and Apple Podcasts, including how to set it up, read Apple's support document.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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