Apple starts testing AI software to bring smarter Siri to IPhone 16
Apple is offering a free upgrade to users who have signed up to AI test Apple's software before it's released to all iPhone users next month. As of Thursday, only two high-end iPhones that came out last year were equipped with the supercharged processors needed for the AI features included in the update, but that will change when four new iPhone 16 models hit shelves on Friday. All iPhone 16 models - which start at anywhere from $800 to $1,200 - come with the new technology, which the company is calling “Apple Intelligence.” The branding is meant to differentiate the iPhone's AI from similar technology found in smartphones released by Samsung and Google earlier this year.
The AI feature was touted as one of the main reasons to buy the iPhone 16, so the release of a beta version of the software that supports the technology now could prompt more consumers to buy the new model as soon as possible.
The AI technology is currently only being released in U.S. English, but will be available in localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. in December. Apple plans to expand to other languages and countries next year. Testing of the AI software began just days after Apple released iOS 18, its latest mobile operating system, to all early iPhones.
Once the iOS 18.1 upgrade is installed, the often-clumsy Siri should become more talkative, versatile, and colorful, with its glowing body rotating around the iPhone's screen when responding to requests. While Apple promises that Siri will be able to perform more tasks and be less confusing, it won't be able to interact with other apps installed on the iPhone until another software update is released, the exact date of which has yet to be determined. Other AI features in the software update will handle a variety of writing and proofreading tasks, summarizing the content of emails and other documents. The AI will also provide various editing tools to change the look of photos and make finding old photos easier. But the initial update doesn't include other AI tricks, such as the ability to instantly create custom emojis or conjure up other quirky images on demand. Apple also plans to eventually enable its AI suite to get help from OpenAI's ChatGPT when users need it.
In addition to the new iPhones, Apple's AI capabilities will also be available for last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as they have the special computer chips required. The update will also bring the ability to record spatial video to both iPhone 15 models, which can be viewed through Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro headphones.