Final month, I revealed that Google I/O’s AI bulletins made me query my loyalty in direction of the iPhone. Android customers are getting all types of next-level, sci-fi-like options, whereas Apple Intelligence on iOS has usually been underwhelming. That type of modified this week.
WWDC25’s fundamental keynote, as anticipated, didn’t actually concentrate on AI developments; I can’t bear in mind Siri being talked about as soon as exterior of the opening mea culpa. However, Apple previewed over a dozen AI options—some refined, others much less so—coming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26. What stood out to me is that, whereas not as jaw-dropping as these we’ve seen elsewhere, these useful instruments will match into most customers’ on a regular basis digital lives. They’re helpful quite than showy. I had an epiphany: Apple isn’t forward or behind within the mainstream AI race, it’s working on a separate observe.
Listed below are the AI upgrades from WWDC that you could learn about.
Dwell Translation
When Google previewed real-time translation in Meet throughout I/O, I used to be assured it might take Apple years to copy it. I used to be so very flawed.
As of the launch of iOS 26 and macOS 26, customers will get entry to Dwell Translation in calls and messages. Whereas the language pairs are at the moment restricted, the function works totally offline, making it quicker and extra non-public than rivals’ cloud-based approaches. Whether or not you’re touring a international nation or serving to out a customer, this addition will make communication simpler and extra intuitive.
Apple
Name Screening
One other helpful addition launching in September is Name Screening. This AI-powered software mechanically solutions calls from unknown numbers, asks callers to establish themselves and supply the explanation they’re calling, then neatly shows the knowledge in your Lock Display. You possibly can resolve whether or not it’s a name you wish to decide up or ignore accordingly.
Spam filter
Equally, the Messages app can now place texts from unknown numbers in a separate inbox—except it detects time-sensitive content material. So, for instance, authentication codes and reservation confirmations ought to come by way of, however not random, irrelevant texts.
Maintain Help
Maintain Help is yet one more AI-powered communication function launching with iOS 26. Due to this useful software, you possibly can set your iPhone apart when placed on maintain, and it’ll mechanically provide you with a warning when you’re related to an agent. This spares you from losing your time to attend in a digital queue.
Cleanup Suggestions
This yr Apple is introducing Cleanup Suggestions for iCloud Mail. Much like iOS 18’s electronic mail categorization function, the software scans your inbox and suggests methods to reduce the noise.
The information embody deleting previous promotions, unsubscribing from mailing lists, and extra. As a substitute of manually going by way of infinite emails to delete undesirable content material, the system can highlight the doubtless culprits so you possibly can take fast motion.
Visible Intelligence 2.0
One factor I disliked about Visible Intelligence when it first launched was being restricted to digital camera enter. I usually have to establish content material on my display, and the choice was manually asking Siri to ship my queries to ChatGPT. That was neither dependable nor intuitive.
With iOS 26, Apple is bringing Visible Intelligence to screenshots. As with Google Lens, you’ll be capable to shortly inquire about on-screen issues with out leaping by way of pointless hoops.
Reminders
Apple can be bringing the AI items to the Reminders app. With this yr’s releases, Apple Intelligence can suggest duties you could wish to add primarily based in your emails and different indicators. It might probably additionally separate related objects in a listing primarily based on their class. Given Apple’s acquisition of Mayday, it’s protected to imagine that Calendar and Reminders will solely get extra highly effective in future updates.
Apple
AI picture technology
Picture Playground’s launch final yr was disastrous. From the questionable app icon to the nightmarish human animations, it simply didn’t really feel like a completed product. With iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26, Apple has switched to a extra presentable icon. Extra importantly, it has acknowledged its shortcomings by baking ChatGPT into the app. So now you can create extra polished cartoons utilizing OpenAI’s servers when Apple’s fashions disappoint.
Equally, now you can tweak the looks and facial expressions of people in Genmoji stickers. This helps you get the precise look you’re aiming for, without having to get too particular with the textual content immediate.
iMessage backgrounds
Talking of AI photographs, iMessage’s new background function enables you to go for artificially generated graphics. This allows you to create distinctive wallpapers that match the vibe of a dialog. Hopefully Apple extends this great tool to the system’s wallpaper in a future replace.
Apple
Shortcuts
One other underrated but extraordinarily highly effective new function is help for AI actions within the Shortcuts app. You should utilize Apple’s Personal Cloud Compute, on-device fashions, or ChatGPT to tweak textual content, get solutions, generate photographs, and rather more when constructing shortcuts and automations. Whereas it could not imply a lot to informal customers, the probabilities are actually infinite for tech-savvier folks.
Apple Music
Spotify has lengthy supplied an AI DJ function, and Apple Music seems to be heading down an analogous highway. iOS 26 introduces a brand new AutoMix function that optionally replaces the standard cross-fade lasting a preset variety of seconds. As a substitute, the brand new software analyzes songs in your queue and “crafts distinctive transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching to ship steady playback and an much more seamless listening expertise.”
Apple Music on iOS 26 equally will get a style of Dwell Translation, letting you view real-time English lyrics for international songs.
Apple
Exercise Buddy
Whereas the Apple Watch doesn’t usually get quite a lot of AI love, watchOS 26 does convey one unique Apple Intelligence function to your wrist. Exercise Buddy delivers motivational messages primarily based in your earlier workouts, well being knowledge, and achievements. This might push customers to decide to their lively existence and intention larger throughout exercises.
ChatGPT in Xcode
Lastly, Apple is integrating ChatGPT into Xcode with macOS Tahoe. The function may change into invaluable for builders who want help with constructing and debugging. That’s to not point out that devs can now combine Apple Intelligence into their very own apps.
AI for the remainder of us
Till a couple of days in the past, I used to be fairly skeptical about Apple’s AI efforts and general route. The corporate appeared clueless in comparison with the competitors—particularly after the Siri 2.0 delay. Now, nonetheless, I’m beginning to see the larger image.
Apple is selecting to construct AI options that make sense inside customers’ day by day routines; they’re not wacky gimmicks that exhibit the facility of a man-made mind. Whereas Google and Samsung rush to overload their telephones with AI, Apple is testing the waters with dependable options that cater to clients’ wants.
Siri in its present state is unfit for function. However AI is rather more than only a chatbot—and a future launch is certain to scrub up its mess. All the corporate must do is launch a dozen foolproof AI options per yr, and Apple Intelligence on iOS will naturally mature and really feel extra complete down the highway.
