Hey, Tech Squad! Buckle up because Apple has just dropped a treasure trove of updates at WWDC 2024. Whether you’re looking to spice up your iPhone with iOS 18’s customizable homescreens or eager to see Siri get a major AI boost with Apple Intelligence, there’s something for everyone. Dive into our rundown of all the game-changing features coming to your favorite Apple devices this fall.

Apple Embraces AI at WWDC 2024

In a bold move, Apple unveiled "Apple Intelligence" at WWDC 2024, signaling its foray into AI-powered features for iPhone, Mac, and more. Rolling out later this year, expect a more conversational Siri, custom "Genmoji," and integrated GPT-4o capabilities for when Siri hits a roadblock.

Siri Gets an Upgrade

Gone are the days of Siri's simple queries. With "Apple Intelligence," Siri is set to perform actions across apps, manage notifications, and even write and summarize text. Its new "onscreen awareness" lets it understand context and take action across Apple and third-party apps. Plus, you can now type to Siri if talking isn't your thing.

Privacy remains a top priority. Apple promises on-device processing for many features and utilizes "Private Cloud Compute" for complex tasks, ensuring your data stays private and secure.

Introducing Genmoji and More

Apple's new "Genmoji" feature generates custom emojis on the fly, so you never have to settle for less than what you’re feeling in the moment. The upcoming Image Playground app will let you create images with AI, with features rolling out in iOS 18. Developers can also integrate these capabilities into their apps.

ChatGPT Comes to Apple Devices

Teaming up with OpenAI, Apple is bringing GPT-4o to iOS, macOS, and iPadOS. Siri will now consult ChatGPT for complex queries, with user permission. ChatGPT will also enhance Apple's AI writing tools and image generation features, maintaining user privacy by not storing requests.

10 Mind-Blowing Apple AI Announcements from WWDC 2024!

iOS 18: Apple’s AI-Powered Future

Apple just lifted the curtain on iOS 18 at WWDC 2024, showcasing a major upgrade packed with AI features. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software VP, highlighted how the new Apple Intelligence will revolutionize the iPhone experience. This update isn’t just about fancy new tools but also about making your digital life smarter and more seamless.

AI at the Core

iOS 18 introduces Apple Intelligence, designed to help you send emails, save time, and express yourself with ease. Siri will become more conversational and context-aware, managing tasks across apps and handling complex requests with help from OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Customization Galore

Personalization takes center stage with iOS 18. You can now enjoy a more customizable homescreen with flexible icon placement and a new theme engine. Dark mode will dim your app icons, making late-night browsing easier on the eyes.

Control Center is also getting a makeover. You'll be able to swipe between multiple pages of controls and toggles, with third-party app integration for the first time. Plus, you can replace default icons on your lock screen with your preferred toggles.

Enhanced Privacy

Privacy gets a boost with iOS 18. You can require authentication for specific apps or hide them until your phone verifies it's you. Control over which contacts third-party apps can access is also in your hands.

Messaging and More

The Messages app now supports any emoji in Tapback responses and adds formatting options like bold, underline, strikethrough, and italic. You can even schedule messages, and iOS 18 brings RCS to Messages for higher-quality media sharing with Android users. Satellite messaging and better categorization in the Mail app are also on the menu.

Photos and Gaming

The Photos app is getting its biggest revamp yet. It’s optimized for large libraries, includes face sorting, and allows you to pin collections. Gaming enthusiasts will love the new Game Mode, which reduces background activity for optimal performance.

AI Features Everywhere

Apple Intelligence will power system-wide capabilities, from image generation in messages to smarter notification prioritization. Siri can now perform actions within apps, like pulling up photos or filling out forms. And for creative minds, the new Genmoji feature lets you design your own emojis.

Voice Memos will offer transcriptions, and the Phone app will record and transcribe calls, notifying the other party about the recording. Expect these AI-driven features to roll out this fall with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, with ChatGPT integration following soon after.

macOS 15 Sequoia: Apple's AI-Powered Makeover

Apple just announced macOS 15 Sequoia at WWDC 2024, packed with AI features and long-awaited updates. Developer beta is available now, with public betas coming in July and a full release this fall.

Apple Intelligence

macOS Sequoia introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools working seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Key features include:

• Writing Tools: Summarize texts and draft email replies automatically.

• Siri Upgrades: Contextual voice commands and typed commands for smarter interactions.

iPhone Mirroring

Finally, you can control your iPhone from your Mac, including audio, notifications, and file transfers, while your iPhone stays locked or in StandBy mode.

Safari Enhancements

Safari now includes:

• Highlights: Machine learning to summarize interesting info.

• Reader Mode: Summaries, tables of contents, and improved video controls.

Passwords App

Keychain gets an overhaul with a new Passwords app, storing:

• Wi-Fi passwords

• Passkeys

• Verification codes

• Shared passwords

Available across iOS, iPad, Mac, and visionOS, and syncing with Windows via iCloud.

Automatic Window Tiling

MacOS finally adds automatic window tiling, making multitasking a breeze and eliminating the need for third-party utilities.

Gaming Boost

Apple is bringing popular games like Resident Evil and World of Warcraft to macOS Sequoia. Plus, the new Game Porting Toolkit 2.0 makes it easier for developers to port games to Apple platforms.

macOS Sequoia supports Macs with Apple Silicon and some Intel-based Macs (2017 iMac Pro, 2018 Mac Mini and MacBook Pro, 2019 Mac Pro, and iMac) that have the T2 security chip.

watchOS 11: Apple's Latest for Smartwatches

Apple just unveiled watchOS 11 at WWDC 2024, bringing a slew of new features and improvements to its smartwatch platform. Developers can start experimenting with it today, while a public beta is set for next month. Expect the full release this fall alongside new Apple Watches.

Fitness Focus

As usual, health and fitness take center stage in watchOS 11. Athletes will appreciate the new Training Load feature, which tracks workout intensity and duration over 28 days. You can now rate your workout effort on a scale of one to 10, and popular cardio workouts will automatically generate an effort rating based on your data.

Rest Days and Custom Goals

Finally, rest days won’t ruin your activity streaks. You can pause activity rings if you're sick or injured and adjust goals based on the day of the week, perfect for those busier Thursdays.

Enhanced Workout App

The Workout app gets GPS routes for more activities like soccer, football, skiing, and more. You can also create custom pool workouts and view turn-by-turn navigation on your watch, even without your phone.

New Vitals App

The new Vitals app tracks overnight health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. It will notify you when multiple metrics fall outside the normal range, offering context on potential causes.

Cycle Tracking and Health Reminders

Cycle Tracking now supports logging pregnancy symptoms and showing gestational age. The Health app adds reminders for monthly mental health assessments and alerts for walking steadiness during the third trimester.

Live Activities and Smart Stack

Live Activities come to the Apple Watch, allowing friends to track your late-night runs. This feature integrates with the Smart Stack, which dynamically shuffles relevant widgets based on your needs. Expect new widgets from Shazam, Photos, and Distance, plus a new Translation app that auto-activates in foreign language regions.

Double Tap and Watchface Updates

Double tap gets new functionality for scrolling in supported apps, and developers now have access to double tap, Live Activities, and Smart Stack APIs. The Photos watchface gets a machine learning revamp, offering style and composition recommendations from your library.

Compatibility and Release

watchOS 11 will be available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later. Surprisingly, it drops support for Series 5 and the first-gen SE. Stay tuned for the public release this fall.