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Apple WWDC 2024: Major Overhaul Expected for iOS 18 with Advanced Siri, AI-driven Features, and More, Gurman Suggests

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The focus of attention is on the anticipated big changes in the iOS 18 update as Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference draws near. With a focus on artificial intelligence and a plethora of new software features, WWDC, scheduled for June 2024, is anticipated to reveal a significant redesign of the iPhone OS.

Redesigns of several well-known built-in iPhone apps, such as Photos, Mail, Notes, and Fitness, are in store for iOS 18, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who offers insights into Apple’s plans. The Calculator app, which has been waiting for an update, will now be available on the iPad and will have more features.

Considering the array of AI-driven improvements included in iOS 18, Gurman’s observations suggest that this update may be Apple’s most significant iPhone release to date. Among these are AI-powered writing assistance in Pages and Keynote, as well as automatically generated playlists on Apple Music. Apple is unique in that it runs AI tasks directly on the iPhone, eliminating the need for cloud servers, though the newest iPhone 16 models may be the only ones with some of the more advanced features.

Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is also in line for a significant upgrade with AI advancements. Users can expect more natural conversations with Siri, enhanced Spotlight search, and improved Shortcuts automation. Apple’s approach to AI technology could involve its proprietary large language model or collaboration with other major players like Google or OpenAI.

A new method for personalizing the Home Screen is one of the most awaited features of iOS 18. App icons may soon be placed anywhere users choose, opening up more options for the iPhone’s layout, including blank areas and unique rows and columns. For individuals looking for a more customized smartphone experience, this might be a welcome modification.

The RCS messaging standard is another possible update in iOS 18, which will help iPhone and Android users communicate with each other. Higher-quality photo sharing, better group chats, and cross-platform read receipts are just a few of the enhanced features that RCS messaging provides.

Enhancements powered by AI may also be made to Apple’s Safari browser, possibly including the addition of a browsing assistant akin to features found in competing browsers. An updated version of the Calculator app will include improved unit conversion tools and a history bar for previous calculations. Both professionals and students may soon be able to use the Notes app, which will soon support complicated mathematical equations.

With new topographic maps featuring marked trails and elevation data, Apple Maps is about to get even better. For those who love the outdoors and hiking, this might be a big addition.

Finally, AirPods Pro may get a “hearing aid mode” in iOS 18, which might expand on the Conversation Boost function already in place. For CarPlay, Freeform, and other applications, more updates are anticipated. These specifics, though, are still speculative until Apple makes an official announcement at WWDC 2024.

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Microsoft Expands Copilot Voice and Think Deeper

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Microsoft Expands Copilot Voice and Think Deeper

Microsoft is taking a major step forward by offering unlimited access to Copilot Voice and Think Deeper, marking two years since the AI-powered Copilot was first integrated into Bing search. This update comes shortly after the tech giant revamped its Copilot Pro subscription and bundled advanced AI features into Microsoft 365.

What’s Changing?

Microsoft remains committed to its $20 per month Copilot Pro plan, ensuring that subscribers continue to enjoy premium benefits. According to the company, Copilot Pro users will receive:

  • Preferred access to the latest AI models during peak hours.
  • Early access to experimental AI features, with more updates expected soon.
  • Extended use of Copilot within popular Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

The Impact on Users

This move signals Microsoft’s dedication to enhancing AI-driven productivity tools. By expanding access to Copilot’s powerful features, users can expect improved efficiency, smarter assistance, and seamless integration across Microsoft’s ecosystem.

As AI technology continues to evolve, Microsoft is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, ensuring both casual users and professionals can leverage the best AI tools available.

Stay tuned for further updates as Microsoft rolls out more enhancements to its AI offerings.

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Google Launches Free AI Coding Tool for Individual Developers

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Google Launches Free AI Coding Tool for Individual Developers

Google has introduced a free version of Gemini Code Assistant, its AI-powered coding assistant, for solo developers worldwide. The tool, previously available only to enterprise users, is now in public preview, making advanced AI-assisted coding accessible to students, freelancers, hobbyists, and startups.

More Features, Fewer Limits

Unlike competing tools such as GitHub Copilot, which limits free users to 2,000 code completions per month, Google is offering up to 180,000 code completions—a significantly higher cap designed to accommodate even the most active developers.

“Now anyone can easily learn, generate code snippets, debug, and modify applications without switching between multiple windows,” said Ryan J. Salva, Google’s senior director of product management.

AI-Powered Coding Assistance

Gemini Code Assist for individuals is powered by Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model and offers:
Auto-completion of code while typing
Generation of entire code blocks based on prompts
Debugging assistance via an interactive chatbot

The tool integrates with popular developer environments like Visual Studio Code, GitHub, and JetBrains, supporting a wide range of programming languages. Developers can use natural language prompts, such as:
Create an HTML form with fields for name, email, and message, plus a submit button.”

With support for 38 programming languages and a 128,000-token memory for processing complex prompts, Gemini Code Assist provides a robust AI-driven coding experience.

Enterprise Features Still Require a Subscription

While the free tier is generous, advanced features like productivity analytics, Google Cloud integrations, and custom AI tuning remain exclusive to paid Standard and Enterprise plans.

With this move, Google aims to compete more aggressively in the AI coding assistant market, offering developers a powerful and unrestricted alternative to existing tools.

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Elon Musk Unveils Grok-3: A Game-Changing AI Chatbot to Rival ChatGPT

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Elon Musk Unveils Grok-3: A Game-Changing AI Chatbot to Rival ChatGPT

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI has unveiled its latest chatbot, Grok-3, which aims to compete with leading AI models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and China’s DeepSeek. Grok-3 is now available to Premium+ subscribers on Musk’s social media platform x (formerly Twitter) and is also available through xAI’s mobile app and the new SuperGrok subscription tier on Grok.com.

Advanced capabilities and performance

Grok-3 has ten times the computing power of its predecessor, Grok-2. Initial tests show that Grok-3 outperforms models from OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek, particularly in areas such as math, science, and coding. The chatbot features advanced reasoning features capable of decomposing complex questions into manageable tasks. Users can interact with Grok-3 in two different ways: “Think,” which performs step-by-step reasoning, and “Big Brain,” which is designed for more difficult tasks.

Strategic Investments and Infrastructure

To support the development of Grok-3, xAI has made major investments in its supercomputer cluster, Colossus, which is currently the largest globally. This infrastructure underscores the company’s commitment to advancing AI technology and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.

New Offerings and Future Plans

Along with Grok-3, xAI has also introduced a logic-based chatbot called DeepSearch, designed to enhance research, brainstorming, and data analysis tasks. This tool aims to provide users with more insightful and relevant information. Looking to the future, xAI plans to release Grok-2 as an open-source model, encouraging community participation and further development. Additionally, upcoming improvements for Grok-3 include a synthesized voice feature, which aims to improve user interaction and accessibility.

Market position and competition

The launch of Grok-3 positions xAI as a major competitor in the AI ​​chatbot market, directly challenging established models from OpenAI and emerging competitors such as DeepSeek. While Grok-3’s performance claims are yet to be independently verified, early indications suggest it could have a significant impact on the AI ​​landscape. xAI is actively seeking $10 billion in investment from major companies, demonstrating its strong belief in their technological advancements and market potential.

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