(Credit: Apple/PCMag)
At WWDC today, Apple unveiled a more conversational, smarter version of its Siri voice assistant, which will be available on Apple devices this fall as part of Apple Intelligence.
The voice assistant's responses aim to be more "natural, relevant, [and] personal," Apple says. It can better understand casual, everyday human language and isn't thrown off course by missteps when the user speaks, like if they correct themselves mid-sentence.
(Credit: Apple/PCMag)Siri also got smarter, as we hoped. "Siri will be able to take actions across apps," Apple says. "This brings us closer to our vision of Siri moving through the system in concert with you."
You can also ask Siri to do things like summarize something in the Notes app, and then send it in an email. Apple also gave the example of someone who asks, "Show me photos of Stacy in New York wearing her pink coat.” The device then pulls up the photo from the Photos app. Then, the user asks, “Make this photo pop.” Siri enhances it. It can also send the photo to other apps, such as into the Notes app on a note that references Stacy.
It will take "more actions in more apps over time," Apple says, suggesting Siri can't quite do anything you want just yet.
Siri will also have more information about the device itself, so you can ask it about features and settings. For example, iPhone users can ask "How can I write a message now and have it be delivered tomorrow?" (The ability to schedule text messages to send later is another new feature coming to iOS 18, iPadOS, and macOS Sequoia.)
(Credit: Apple/PCMag)Siri and ChatGPT Join Forces
Apple also announced an expected partnership with OpenAI's ChatGPT, which will arrive on the company's next-gen operating systems in the fall, powered by GPT-4o.
Siri will "tap into ChatGPT's expertise," Apple says, meaning it can route questions to the chatbot for an answer if the user gives it permission to do so. Apple gave the example of uploading a picture of an outdoor patio and asking ChatGPT what plants might look good on it.
Apple will also incorporate ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools, which help people edit, summarize, or rewrite content. For example, with the Compose function, you can ask ChatGPT to help you write a story as well as generate images to illustrate it.
Apple says users can access ChatGPT functionality on its devices without creating an account, while ChatGPT Plus subscribers can connect their accounts and access paid features.
"Very happy to be partnering with Apple to integrate Chatgpt into their devices later this year! Think you will really like it," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted today.
Apple Intelligence is coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia as a beta in US English this fall on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later.