Apple’s non-AI WWDC plans embody Settings and Management Middle revamps

It appears like Apple’s WWDC plans transcend sprinkling AI fairy mud on the whole lot (although that’s going to be a giant a part of it, too). Moreover Siri gaining new AI-powered app management, the corporate additionally plans to overtake issues just like the Settings apps for iOS and macOS, Management Middle, Messages, Mail, and extra.

A brand new, “cleaner” Settings app UI will imply higher group and improved search, Mark Gurman writes in his Energy On E-newsletter for Bloomberg immediately. He provides {that a} comparable revamp can be coming to the macOS System Settings app.

Apple may also replace Management Middle, the slide-down menu of fast settings in iOS, with a brand new music widget and “enhancements to the way it operates good house home equipment.” Gurman didn’t specify what would change, however as useful because the Residence widget is correct now, I may definitely see room for enchancment — with the ability to customise which units present up there could be useful, as an example.

Messages will get a brand new characteristic that permits you to animate particular person phrases in a textual content message, Gurman writes, backing up a MacRumors report from Friday. He provides that Apple may also add new Tapback icons — the response emoji-style icons that seem once you long-press a message. And Apple will reportedly deliver UI adjustments to Images and replace the Mail app with “a number of enhancements,” as effectively.

Apple will apparently additionally announce visionOS 2.0, with native variations of first-party apps. Proper now, visionOS solely has iPad variations of Apple apps like Residence, Calendar, Podcasts, and Pages.

Gurman reiterated, although, that Apple’s largest focus at WWDC 2024 might be on AI. One massive rumored characteristic is that with none setup from customers or builders, Siri can provide to carry out duties inside apps themselves primarily based in your system’s evaluation of what you’re as much as — slightly like Rabbit’s promised “Massive Motion Mannequin” however with shades of Clippy. Some examples he’s reported embody Siri providing assembly summaries, cropping photographs for you, or shifting notes within the Notes app from one folder to a different.

Some AI options will reportedly come this fall when iOS 18 rolls out, in keeping with Gurman. Previous rumored iOS AI options embody Voice Memos and Notes apps will get real-time voice transcription. There’s additionally that customized, AI-created emoji characteristic that could be coming. WWDC 2024 is about for June tenth, so we gained’t have to attend lengthy to study what Apple has up its sleeve for its AI, iOS, and macOS updates this yr.