Is Your iPhone Ready for Siri's AI Overhaul?

Good morning, Tech Squad! Get ready for a tech rollercoaster with legal battles over AI voices, Microsoft’s AI-powered laptops, and a sneak peek at iOS 18, which promises to be Apple’s most transformative update yet. Let’s dive in.

Apple Prepares to Give Siri a Major AI Revamp

The big news at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next week will be the company’s renewed push into artificial intelligence. Apple is integrating AI into many core apps and features, including Photos, Messages, Notes, and Safari. This AI integration will handle tasks like voice memo transcriptions and provide recaps of meetings, text messages, emails, and articles. Additionally, new features like AI-created emojis will be introduced.

Siri’s Major Overhaul

Apple’s original AI product, Siri, is set for a significant upgrade with its own large language models (LLMs), the underlying technology behind generative AI. This new system will enable Siri to control individual features within applications without requiring setup by users or developers. Siri will analyze user actions and auto-enable itself to assist.

For instance, users could ask Siri to delete or forward an email, edit a photo, summarize a meeting, or move a note within apps. Currently, Siri handles more general tasks like controlling smart home devices, music, and system settings. This new capability will eventually support multiple commands at once, such as writing and sending an email in one go. However, these upgraded Siri features won’t arrive until next year, though other AI features will be available with iOS 18 this fall.

Additional iOS 18 Features

• Settings App: Revamped with a cleaner interface, better organization, and improved search.

• Control Center: Upgraded with a new music widget and enhanced smart home appliance control.

• Messages App: Tweaks include new icons for Tapbacks and effects for individual words.

• Photos App: Updated interface.

• Mail App: Several improvements.

Other Apple OS Updates

• watchOS 11: Less significant changes compared to last year, but includes an updated Siri interface and Fitness app upgrades.

• visionOS 2.0: Addresses missing features from the first version, adding dedicated versions of Apple’s apps instead of repurposed iPad apps.

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Microsoft Announces Copilot+PCs with Built-In AI Hardware

Microsoft is ushering in a new era of AI-powered laptops with the introduction of Copilot Plus PCs. At an event held at their headquarters, CEO Satya Nadella revealed that these new Windows laptops will feature built-in AI hardware, allowing for enhanced AI capabilities across the operating system.

What’s new?

Copilot Plus PCs will be available from major laptop brands, including Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, HP, Acer, Asus, and two new models from Microsoft’s Surface line. These laptops, powered by Qualcomm’s Arm chips initially, will also support Intel and AMD processors, ensuring wide compatibility.

Key Features:

• Neural Processor: Each Copilot Plus PC will include a neural processor to power advanced AI features.

• AI-Powered “Recall”: This feature creates a searchable “photographic memory” of your PC activities.

• AI Models: Over 40 AI models integrated with Windows 11.

• Support for GPT-4o: Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, will leverage the latest OpenAI GPT-4o model.

Performance and Specs:

• Speed and Battery Life: Claimed to be 58% faster than the MacBook Air with an M3 processor and boasting all-day battery life.

• Minimum Requirements: 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and an integrated neural processor.

Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s exec overseeing Windows, highlighted the potential of these devices to transform computing experiences, emphasizing their performance and efficiency gains.

The Big Picture:

Microsoft is betting on AI and Arm-based chips to revolutionize the Windows laptop market. With an ambitious target of selling 50 million Copilot Plus PCs in the next year, these devices promise significant advancements in speed, functionality, and battery life.

The first Copilot Plus PCs will launch on June 18th.

Microsoft Just Changed How You Use PCs Forever…

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Heads to Xbox Game Pass

Gamers, rejoice! Microsoft has officially confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The news, which was initially leaked through a notification, has now been formally announced via an Xbox Wire blog post.

“We’re excited to confirm that Game Pass members will be able to jump into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on day one with Game Pass,” said Megan Spurr, senior community lead for Xbox Game Pass. The game will be accessible on both Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC Game Pass.

Why This Matters:

This announcement quells recent speculations about the game’s availability on Game Pass. Previously, there were concerns within Microsoft about the potential revenue impact, given that Call of Duty traditionally sells over 20 million copies at around $70 each.

What to expect

• Release Date: While the exact release date is still under wraps, Activision is aiming for a late October launch.

• Game Setting: Set during the ’90s Gulf War, Black Ops 6 promises an intense, historical backdrop for its high-octane action.

• Further Details: Microsoft will share more about the game during a special stream following the Xbox summer showcase on June 9th, which will also feature new announcements for Gears of War and Doom, plus release dates for titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Avowed.

Stay tuned for what promises to be a game-changing addition to the Xbox Game Pass lineup.

QUICK BITS

Stat: $47 billion. That’s the amount China invested in the country’s largest-ever chip fund to boost its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Quote: “It’s one of my highest priorities to make sure that Congress is ready to do its part to keep and advance America as the global leader in AI.”—Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on upcoming AI legislation.

Get Excited: Saltwater Brewery’s eco-friendly edible six-pack rings continue to make positive changes, offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste.