Apple Sets Date for Major Event: iPhone 16 Expected to Debut with Advanced AI Features
Apple has announced its next major event, expected to feature the launch of the iPhone 16. The event, tagged “It’s Glowtime,” will take place on Monday, September 9, at 10 a.m. PT at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, and will be streamed online.
While the meaning of “Glowtime” remains unclear, industry experts anticipate that embedded artificial intelligence will be a significant highlight of the new iPhone. In June, during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced various generative AI features under the banner of “Apple Intelligence.” These include personalized Genmoji—AI-generated emojis—and a more advanced Siri capable of answering questions about schedules, emails, and even tracking loved ones’ flights.
Though some AI features might be available to current iPhone 15 Pro Max users, the iPhone 16 is expected to be the first device fully designed with AI integration in mind. Apple also announced a partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, which could further enhance the iPhone’s AI capabilities.
Artificial intelligence has been part of iPhone technology for years, with features like Live Text and improved autocorrect. However, the iPhone 16 could mark the first model specifically tailored to maximize the interaction and personalization benefits of generative AI.
Despite the excitement, Angelo Zino, a technology analyst at CFRA Research, predicts a muted outlook for the iPhone 16, noting that many of the new AI features will be phased in over the coming years. Enhanced Siri capabilities, for example, might not be fully available until as late as 2025. “This is going to be more of an evolutionary process rather than a revolutionary iPhone cycle,” Zino remarked.
Generative AI allows tools to create text, images, and audio based on user prompts, and Apple’s AI strategy is likely to evolve through Siri, its virtual assistant. By integrating Siri with OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT-4 model, Apple aims to enhance Siri’s ability to provide detailed information, recall past interactions, and learn user preferences over time.
The iPhone 16 launch could potentially reshape Apple’s trajectory, as the company faces declining sales in China due to economic uncertainty and growing competition. Pricing remains a key question, with enthusiasts hoping for affordability while investors push for higher profits. Although CFRA doesn’t forecast a dramatic price increase, Zino suggests that the integration of AI could lead to a general price hike across the iPhone lineup.
Apple’s competitors, such as Samsung, have already ventured into generative AI with features like “circle to search,” which lets users quickly find information on their screen with a simple gesture.
Source: CNN
