RCS, AI-powered Siri: How iOS 18 will change your iPhone
What's the story
Apple is readying iOS 18, which could be the "biggest" software update in the iPhone's history, as reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The update will bring RCS support and enhance Siri and other native apps with generative AI capabilities, leading to an improved user experience.
The tech giant is expected to release the first beta for developers at its annual WWDC event in June, with the final version launching in September.
Messaging protocol
RCS for cross-platform messaging
Apple has already announced plans to support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on iPhone starting from late 2024.
This means that RCS support will be a key feature of iOS 18, enhancing the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices.
RCS supports high-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and improved group chats—features that are already available in iMessage and apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Smarter assistant
Siri with generative AI
Gurman predicts that iOS 18 will integrate generative AI technology to enhance Siri and the Messages app, improving their ability to answer questions and auto-complete sentences.
Last year in September, The Information revealed that Apple intends to incorporate large language models (LLMs) into Siri for automating complex tasks through deeper integration with the Shortcuts app.
The iPhone maker is also said to be exploring generative AI features for other apps, such as Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Xcode.
Rivalry
Chatbot competitors and AI advancements
Generative AI gained traction in 2022 with OpenAI's release of ChatGPT, a chatbot that responds to questions and prompts like a human.
Google and Microsoft soon launched similar chatbots as more companies entered the space.
All of these chatbots use LLMs to respond in a human-like manner.
However, Apple is still trailing behind its rivals. With iOS 18, the company intends to pick up pace in the AI race.