Apple WWDC 2024 Highlights: ChatGPT-powered Siri, Apple Intelligence, iOS18, macOS Sequoia, and more revealed

Tech giant Apple, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) held in Cupertino, California on Monday, unveiled a slew of new features and updates.

The key highlights include the launch of Apple Intelligence, the powering of Apple's voice assistant Siri with OpenAI's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, the unveiling of iOS18, macOS Sequoia and more.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new systemwide Writing Tools built into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps, the company said in a release.

iOS18

Apple previewed iOS 18, a major release that features more customization options, the biggest redesign ever of the Photos app, new ways for users to manage their inbox in Mail, Messages over satellite, and so much more. Users will be able to arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, customize the buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen, and quickly access more controls in Control Center.

macOS Sequoia

macOS Sequoia, "the next version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system", brings entirely new ways of working and transformative intelligence features to Mac, Apple said.

"macOS Sequoia is full of exciting new capabilities, including iPhone Mirroring, which expands Continuity by enabling full access to and control of iPhone directly from macOS. Safari gets another big update with the new Highlights feature for effortless information discovery on webpages while browsing," it said in a release.

Siri with ChatGPT

Apple said that access to ChatGPT is integrated into Siri and systemwide Writing Tools across Apple’s platforms, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

"Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly," the release stated.

Apple said it is also integrating ChatGPT access into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

New levels of customisation and capability

iPhone users have new ways to customize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. Users can now arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, including placing them right above the dock for easy access or perfectly framing a wallpaper, Apple said.

App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that is perfect for them, it added.

For the first time, users can now switch the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, including choosing from options available in the controls gallery or removing them entirely. With the Action button available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can quickly invoke controls available in the gallery.