Apple gives big hint about major iPhone 16 upgrade

Apple has dropped a significant hint about an upcoming iPhone 16 feature as it strives to keep pace with Android and Samsung. The tech behemoth's researchers have unveiled a series of AI models that could be integral to the functionality of the forthcoming iPhone 16.

Despite Apple's usual secrecy about its artificial intelligence (AI) strategies for iPhones, speculation is rife. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, has confirmed the company's commitment to developing new generative AI capabilities, amidst competition from Google's Android and Samsung.

Earlier in the year, Cook revealed Apple's substantial investment in "a tremendous amount of time and effort" towards this endeavour. Generative AI is an advanced form of artificial intelligence capable of generating new content based on text prompts.

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To date, Apple's AI integration has been focused on enhancing auto-corrections. The latest development from Apple is the release of OpenELM, or "Open-source Efficient Language Models".

While Apple remains tight-lipped about how OpenELM will be utilised in upcoming devices like the iPhone 16, the compact yet "efficient" language models are designed to operate on smaller gadgets such as smartphones.

These models are optimised for speed and do not depend heavily on a strong Wi-Fi connection. Language models are the core algorithms behind generative AI tools and chatbots, including ChatGPT and Meta AI.

Earlier this year, Apple researchers unveiled a new model that allows users to edit photos by writing messages and another that can understand what is happening on a smartphone and help people navigate them, as reported by the Independent.

Speculation is rife that some Apple AI updates might be revealed at the forthcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in June.

Apple's marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, has hinted at exciting developments for the event, describing it as "Absolutely Incredible", with the use of capital letters suggesting that AI features are on the horizon.