Apple iOS 18 Expected To Introduce Significant Upgrades To Siri In 2024

Cupertino-based technology giant Apple has reportedly started working on the next version of iOS, the iPhone operating system. Reports suggest that the company plans to use language models to improve Siri’s intelligence in iOS 18, which is expected to be unveiled in July next year.

According to The Information, Apple wants ‌Sir‌ to be able to help users automate complex, multi-step tasks with voice-based commands. For example, imagine that ‌Siri‌ could easily take five photos, create a GIF from them, and send it to a friend, all with a single command.

Automatically converting photos to GIF is currently possible with the Shortcuts app, but must be configured manually.‌Siri’s functionality is similar to the Shortcuts app, and it’s likely that ‌Siri‌ will integrate more deeply with Shortcuts, MacRumors reports.

Hotkeys are important in the iPhone system, allowing for efficient automation. Apple provides a gallery of keyboard shortcuts for various tasks, such as removing the background from photos or to-do lists.

According to a report by The Information, the iPhone maker is aiming to release the new Siri features as part of the iPhone operating system next year, suggesting that it will be part of iOS 18.

Google is also trying to make its Google Assistant smarter so that it can do more complex tasks. So Apple might want to release improved features before Google, or at least release similar features at the same time.

“Apple’s ‌Siri‌ personal assistant has long been criticized for being well behind voice assistants from other companies like Google and Alexa, largely due to Apple’s focus on security and privacy,” MacRumors said.

Many Siri tasks are performed on the device rather than through a cloud server, so the Cupertino-based tech giant must strike a balance between privacy and functionality by implementing language models for Siri, it added.