Apple’s foray into AI-powered news summaries as part of Apple Intelligence has recently encountered challenges related to accuracy and storage requirements. While the technology holds promise for enhancing news consumption, these issues highlight the complexities of implementing AI in real-world applications.
Accuracy Concerns: Instances of Misinformation
Several instances of inaccurate news summaries generated by Apple Intelligence have been reported. These errors include false reports of prominent figures’ deaths and incorrect outcomes of sporting events. Such inaccuracies raise concerns about the potential for misinformation to spread through AI-generated content. The reliance on automated summarization without sufficient fact-checking mechanisms poses a risk to the reliability of information presented to users.
Increased Storage Requirements: A Trade-Off for AI Features
Apple Intelligence now requires significantly more storage space on iPhones compared to its initial release. The 3 GB increase that nearly doubles the required memory from 4GB to 7GB has been highlighted by Apple in a release on their support website. This increase in storage demand presents a potential trade-off for users, especially those with devices that have limited storage capacity. The added storage overhead may impact user experience by reducing the available space for other apps, photos, and files.
Apple Addresses Apple Intelligence’s Propensity for Spreading Misinformation
Apple has acknowledged the issues with Apple Intelligence, stating that the system is still under development. To improve the reliability and user experience of this technology, several key areas require attention:
Enhanced Accuracy: Implementing more robust fact-checking mechanisms and improving the accuracy of AI-generated summaries is crucial. This may involve incorporating human oversight or refining the algorithms used for summarization.
Increased Transparency: Providing greater transparency about how Apple Intelligence functions and its inherent limitations can help manage user expectations. Clearly communicating that AI-generated summaries should not be considered definitive sources of information is essential.
User Control and Customization: Offering users more granular control over AI features, such as the option to disable AI summaries or customize the types of news they receive, can enhance user experience and address individual preferences.
Implications for Users and the Future of AI in News
The challenges faced by Apple Intelligence highlight the complexities of integrating AI into news delivery. While AI has the potential to provide efficient and personalized news summaries, ensuring accuracy and managing resource consumption are critical considerations.
For iPhone users, it is advisable to exercise caution when relying on AI-generated news summaries. Verifying information from reputable sources remains essential to avoid being misled by inaccuracies.
The future of AI in news delivery hinges on addressing these challenges. As AI technology continues to develop, striking a balance between automation and human oversight will be crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information.
Apple’s annual update to iOS is finally revealed at WWDC 2024. This year, iOS 18 promises a significant leap forward in personalization, communication tools, and the seamless integration of on-device and cloud-based intelligence. Let’s delve deeper into some of the key features that will likely shape the way users interact with their iPhones.
Personalization takes Center Stage
iOS 18 ushers in a new era of customization for the iPhone experience. The once-static home screen is transforming into a dynamic and personalized hub. Imagine glancing at your phone and seeing not just app icons, but also a glimpse of your upcoming calendar events, the latest weather forecast, or even a summary of breaking news headlines – all displayed conveniently on your lock screen through customizable widgets. This eliminates the need to unlock your phone for these quick informational glances, saving precious time throughout the day.
Users can personalize their lock screens and home screens further by arranging apps and widgets in any open space. This allows for a level of customization that caters to individual preferences and workflows. Imagine placing your most-used social media apps at the bottom of the screen for easy access, while positioning frequently used productivity tools like your calendar and email app in a prominent spot closer to the top. Additionally, the ability to customize the buttons at the bottom of the lock screen provides quick access to the features users rely on most, such as the flashlight or camera app.
Taking Focus Modes to the Next Level
Focus Modes, introduced in iOS 15 to help users manage distractions and maintain productivity, receive a significant upgrade in iOS 18. Users can now create custom Focus Modes for various scenarios, such as “Work,” “Workout,” or “Relaxation.” Each Focus Mode can be tailored to automatically adjust notification settings and hide irrelevant app icons on the home screen. Imagine entering your “Work” Focus Mode and having your iPhone automatically silence notifications from social media apps while keeping your work email alerts active. This level of granular control empowers users to create an iPhone experience that seamlessly integrates with their daily routines and minimizes distractions.
The Long-Awaited Arrival of RCS Messaging
For iPhone users who have friends and family on Android devices, iOS 18 brings a long-awaited feature – support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This integration eliminates a major pain point in communication between the two platforms. Gone are the days of blurry photos and videos sent via SMS. With RCS, iPhone users can now share high-resolution photos and videos, see typing indicators while composing messages, and enjoy other enhanced messaging features previously unavailable when communicating with Android users. This seamless integration fosters a more cohesive messaging experience regardless of the device used.
Siri Gets Smarter and More Conversational
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is poised for a significant evolution with iOS 18. Apple Intelligence, unveiled alongside the new operating system, promises to enhance Siri’s capabilities by leveraging on-device and cloud-based intelligence. Imagine asking Siri complex questions and receiving not just basic answers, but also follow-up suggestions or clarifications to ensure it fully understands your intent. For instance, you could ask Siri, “Can you summarize this research paper for me and identify the key arguments?” or “Help me write a social media post about my recent vacation, capturing the fun and excitement.” Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, could not only provide summaries and answer your questions, but also potentially generate different creative text formats like poems, code snippets, or scripts, further enhancing its utility and versatility.
A Smarter Safari Experience
Web browsing on iPhone is poised to become even more streamlined with iOS 18. Safari, Apple’s built-in web browser, receives an upgrade with the introduction of “Highlights.” This feature utilizes machine learning to identify relevant information on a webpage while you browse. Imagine reading an article about a new restaurant and seeing a “Highlights” card offering directions and contact information displayed conveniently alongside the text. This eliminates the need to switch between apps or manually search for additional details. Additionally, Reader gets a redesign, offering functionalities like summaries and tables of contents for longer articles, making it easier to consume information on the go.
Enhanced Organization in Mail
The Mail app in iOS 18 receives an update focused on improving organization and information extraction. Imagine receiving an email with a flight confirmation or hotel reservation. iOS 18’s Mail app, powered by Apple Intelligence, could automatically extract key details like flight times, hotel addresses, and confirmation numbers, making them easily accessible and actionable. Additionally, the ability to schedule emails allows you to draft a message and choose a specific time and date for it to be sent, ensuring your communication is delivered at the most opportune moment.
Memories Get a Makeover in Photos
The Photos app in iOS 18 leverages Apple Intelligence to create a more personalized and engaging experience when revisiting your memories. Imagine opening the Photos app and seeing a curated slideshow of photos and videos from your recent vacation, complete with music and captions automatically generated based on the location and content. Additionally, advanced search functionalities allow you to search your photo library based on specific criteria, such as location, date, or even the objects or people present in the photos. This makes it easier to find those specific memories you’re looking for, even years later.
Apple Notes Gets Smarter
The Notes app, often used for jotting down quick thoughts and ideas, receives a subtle but potentially useful upgrade in iOS 18. Imagine taking notes during a lecture or meeting and having the Notes app automatically identify key points, create bulleted lists, or even record audio alongside the written text. This can be particularly helpful when reviewing information later and trying to recall specific details from a conversation or presentation.
Beyond the Headline Features
While the aforementioned features take center stage in iOS 18, there are additional enhancements worth mentioning. T9 predictive dialing, a feature reminiscent of old-school flip phones, makes a comeback. Imagine wanting to call a friend named David. Simply tap the number 3 for “D,” the 2 for “A,” the 8 for “V,” and the 3 again for “I” on the iPhone’s keypad. The system will intelligently predict the contact you’re trying to reach, streamlining the dialing process.
Apple notes a continued commitment to user privacy with iOS 18. While details on specific privacy features are yet to be revealed, we can expect the update to include security patches and potentially offer more granular controls over app tracking permissions.
AI is the theme of the year when it comes to tech. Hot off the bevvy of announcements from COMPUTEX 2024, AI makes its Apple debut with ‘Apple Intelligence’. The WWDC 2024 keynote saw a swathe of new software across the board from iOS18 to MacOS Sequoia. However, Apple’s take on artificial intelligence integration was one thing in all the updates.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
This new initiative focuses on leveraging on-device and cloud-based intelligence to enhance user experience in various aspects, from streamlined tasks to more personalized interactions. A key highlight is the integration of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large language model, which promises to significantly improve Siri’s capabilities.
A New Siri Experience Powered by GPT-4o
Let’s talk about the OpenAI-sized elephant in the room. One of the most anticipated features within Apple Intelligence is the integration of ChatGPT. With GPT-4o having been recently announced, the technology is designed – now more than ever – to understand and respond to natural language in a more comprehensive and nuanced way.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
With ChatGPT on board, Siri is poised for a major evolution. Users can expect more natural and engaging conversations, with Siri able to follow complex requests, answer follow-up questions within context, and even generate different creative text formats like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, and emails. It will also allow Siri more contextual actions within apps.
Users can expect a more natural and intuitive user experience, with Siri now capable of:
Understanding complex requests: Gone are the days of meticulously crafted phrases to elicit a response from Siri. ChatGPT empowers Siri to comprehend the nuances of natural language, allowing users to ask questions and make requests in a more conversational style.
Following up within context: Frustrations with disjointed conversations are a thing of the past. ChatGPT enables Siri to follow the flow of a conversation, referencing previous questions and requests to provide relevant and connected responses.
Generating creative text formats: Need a poem for a loved one or a script for a home video? Look no further than the AI-powered Siri. ChatGPT unlocks the potential for Siri to generate different creative text formats, catering to various needs and situations.
This integration is expected to be available in beta form with the upcoming iOS 18 release. However, some reports suggest these features may remain in beta even after the official iOS 18 launch, allowing Apple to gather user feedback and refine the technology before a full rollout.
It’s Not Just Siri. Apple Intelligence is Everywhere.
Source: Apple
Apple Intelligence isn’t only making its debut with Siri. It will be integrated into a bevvy of features that will be available across all of Apple’s products. Here’s a closer look at how ChatGPT is expected to influence different aspects of Apple products:
Effortless Photo and Video Management: The drudgery of editing photos and videos might soon become a relic of the past. Apple Intelligence, powered by ChatGPT, will analyze user photos and videos, automatically suggesting edits, filters, and effects. This intelligent assistant can recommend optimal edits based on factors like lighting, composition, and content, saving users valuable time and even sparking creative inspiration.
Personalized Health and Wellness Insights: The Apple Watch and Health app are poised to benefit significantly from AI integration with ChatGPT. Sleep tracking and activity monitoring functionalities are expected to become more accurate, with AI providing personalized insights that go beyond basic data collection. Imagine receiving actionable recommendations based on your sleep patterns or activity levels, empowering you to make informed decisions regarding your overall health and well-being.
Smarter Notifications, Streamlined Workflow: Imagine receiving notifications only when they are truly relevant and actionable. ChatGPT, integrated with Apple Intelligence, could analyze user habits and preferences, filtering out unimportant notifications and prioritizing the ones that require immediate attention. This intelligent system can even anticipate your needs, suggesting actions before you ask. For instance, imagine Siri suggesting you adjust your thermostat upon arriving home or reminding you of an upcoming meeting with relevant context.
Apple has emphasized its commitment to user privacy with Apple Intelligence. The company claims that all AI processing will prioritize on-device computation whenever possible. This minimizes the amount of data sent to the cloud, potentially reducing privacy concerns. Additionally, Apple assures users that their data will be anonymized and used only to improve their experience with Apple products and services.
While Apple Intelligence promises exciting possibilities, some experts caution about potential limitations. Since some features will rely on cloud-based processing, concerns regarding internet connectivity and potential latency issues remain. Additionally, the long-term impact of AI on user privacy requires ongoing scrutiny and transparency from Apple.
iPhone and iPad users, you can now get your PSP fix! The highly-regarded PlayStation Portable (PSP) emulator, PPSSPP, has finally arrived on the official Apple App Store. This allows iOS users to experience a vast library of PSP titles on their devices.
Developed by Henrik Rydgård, PPSSPP has established itself as a popular and reliable PSP emulator across various platforms. Now, iOS users can join the party and relive cherished titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gran Turismo, and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. With PPSSPP readily available on the App Store, gamers can access a treasure trove of PSP classics, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
PPSSPP boasts more than just bringing back fond memories. The emulator comes equipped with a range of features designed to optimize the mobile gaming experience. Users can customize controls to suit their preferences, leverage save states to pick up gameplay seamlessly, and even upscale graphics for a sharper visual experience.
It’s important to remember that PPSSPP itself doesn’t include any game files. Users are responsible for acquiring PSP game files (ISOs or CSOs) legally. Developers recommend dumping physical PSP games or downloading them from reputable sources that comply with copyright laws.
While the arrival of PPSSPP on the App Store is exciting news, it’s worth noting that this initial release has some limitations. Features like Magic Keyboard support for enhanced iPad gaming and Retro Achievements integration are temporarily unavailable. However, the developer assures users that these functionalities will be added in future updates.
Meta’s competitor to X (formerly known as Twitter) – Threads – is making news in two areas: being able to work with other apps and expanding into Europe. In a surprisiong move, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, said Threads posts could be shared on Mastodon and other ActivityPub-enabled platforms as part of a test. This is a big step towards integration, which has been one of the main ideas behind the fediverse, a decentralised network of social media services, from the beginning.
What does Integration with ActivityPub mean, and why is it good? With ActivityPub, you can choose where your content is seen and how people connect with it, unlike on traditional social media sites where you are limited to your home feed. It will also help you reach more people. Allowing you to gain new followers and take part in conversations in other groups. It also helps make social media more open and democratic by lowering the need for centralised sites like Meta.
This movement indicates that Meta remains committed to making all their services work together. This fits what Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, who thinks decentralisation is the key to getting the next wave of creators to join, has said.
In addition, Threads is finally getting ready to land in Europe simultaneously. The platform will finally go live on December 14th after being delayed because of regulatory issues.
Threads is also adding “Tags” that work like Instagram Hashtags, but is less confusing or complicated. Tags can only be used once per post. This is meant to get people to talk about more specific topics and keep material at a managable level. Users can add tags by typing “#” or clicking a post UI button. Furthermore, Tags, unlike Instagram, don’t need to be added directly below the post with multiple hashtags, which can be confusing. Instead, it’s directly added to the post or words similar to a hyperlink. The chosen words will turn blue in the post, meaning it has been tagged with the specific topic or genre, or you can make a new one. This gives users more freedom and simplifies how they can add specific topics and genres to their posts to reach out to others looking for posts in their interest.
Attention all Apple TV fans! At long last, the time has come. Designed to make your viewing experience even more fluid and enjoyable, Apple has launched a new look for the Apple TV app after weeks of beta testing.
Searching through seemingly infinite menus and categories is a thing of the past. With its redesigned user interface and convenient sidebar, the app is now easier than ever to use. Apple TV+ originals, Major League Soccer Season Pass, a vast collection of films and TV shows for sale or rental, and your favourite channels and apps like Disney+, Paramount+, and Max are all at your fingertips.
Browse categories like “New Shows & Movies,” “Top Charts,” “Trending,” and “For You” under the revamped “Home” section. Using this selected collection, you can be confident that you will always have access to the most recent releases, best sellers, and personalised suggestions.
The updated software is helpful for more than simply its users. With the new profile function, families with more than one Apple TV user can now get suggestions tailored to their tastes. Toggle between profiles on the tablet in your living room; you can find your recommendations and carefully selected the “ Up Next “list.
Exciting new features for the Store tab are also part of the redesigned Apple TV app. With the recent merger of TV shows and films, finding a new series to binge-watch has never been more straightforward. Discover many popular streaming services on your Apple TV by adding a specialised Add Channels & Apps shelf.
With this update, the standalone apps for iTunes Movies and TV Shows also end as users will be redirected to the Apple TV app instead if they purchase or rent out movies or shows. Rumours have built that Apple has plans on making Apple TV into a streaming Hub for everything and not just Apple TV Plus.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link, the latest instalment in Square’s hit RPG series, is making its way to Android and iOS devices. It’s set to go in 2024, with no definite date just yet. This mobile RPG will add to the Kingdom Hearts story with a new plot and play style.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link isn’t an augmented reality (AR) game like Pokemon GO but it still uses real-world places in its gameplay. The game uses your smartphone’s GPS to determine where you are on the in-game map. This lets the player explore the virtual world based on where they are in real life. The announcement video teases that you might be able to “travel the world without leaving your house” which would be a new twist in the game systems.
While there is very little information on the game’s plot, Square Enix has been recruiting beta testers for a closed beta program. There are 3,000 spots available split between Android and iOS users. For iOS, the closed beta phase lasts from November 29 to December 8. The Android beta will start in January 2024.
The story takes place in the city of Scala and Caelum, which fans of Kingdom Hearts III will be familiar with. Players take on the part of a main character who has no name and moves between Scala and Caelum and the real world. Real-time fighting and interactions with Disney characters are hinted at through the teaser trailers available on Square Enix’s Official YouTube Channel.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link was first presented at the event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts, along with Kingdom Hearts IV. Currently, there is no announcement on the date for either game released.
Apple users, get ready for a minor change in your monthly fees. As a result of Apple’s recent price review, the company has raised the prices of Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus, and the Apple One packages. This change is in keeping with the industry-wide pattern of rising subscription costs.
For international Apple users, prices are increased between USD$2 and USD$3. Moving forward, the prices will be:
Subscription
Original Price (USD)
New Price (USD)
Increase (USD)
Apple TV+
USD$6.99
USD$9.99
USD$3.00
Apple Arcade
USD$4.99
USD$6.99
USD$2.00
Apple News+
USD$9.99
USD$12.99
USD$3.00
This price hike also affects the Apple One packages, which bundles several of Apple’s services. Apple One has three tiers which all have been subjected to price raises as well.
Subscription
Bundled Services
Original Price (USD)
New Price (USD)
Increase (USD)
Individual
iCloud+ (50GB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade
USD$16.95
USD$19.95
USD$3.00
Family (5-users)
iCloud+ (200GB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade
USD$22.95
USD$25.95
USD$3.00
Premium
iCloud+ (2TB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade Apple Fitness+ Apple News+
USD$32.95
USD$37.95
USD$5.00
However, even with all the current price hikes, it is of note that other Apple services like Apple Music, Fitness+, and iCloud+ memberships are unchanged as of now.
The recent price hikes also affect Malaysian Apple users particularly those who use the Apple One subscriptions. Apple One members in Malaysia will see a small rise in the monthly fee for the service.
Subscription
Bundled Services
Original Price (MYR)
New Price (MYR)
Increase (MYR)
Individual
iCloud+ (50GB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade
MYR29.90
MYR34.90
MYR5.00
Family (5-users)
iCloud+ (200GB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade
MYR39.90
MYR44.90
MYR5.00
Premium
iCloud+ (2TB) Apple TV+ Apple Music Apple Arcade Apple Fitness+ Apple News+
MYR78.90
MYR84.90
MYR6.00
Other well-known subscriptions like Netflix have also seen a price hike which is becoming a recent trend among other subscriptions too. These price hikes are unfortunately necessary to cover the ever-increasing price of delivering excellent content and services to users.
Apple has just expanded its iCloud+ plans. Starting today, users have the option to pick from two new iCloud+ plans: 6TB for $29.99 per month and 12TB for $59.99 per month.
These plans come hot on the heels of Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro launch event, where the focus was on the impressive 48MP Main cameras, designed to deliver exceptional photo and video quality. With iCloud+, users can safely store extensive collections of high-resolution photos and videos in the cloud. This makes them accessible seamlessly across all their Apple devices and on the web. iCloud+ also helps you optimize space usage on your iPhones by automatically preserving beautiful, optimized versions of their media in the cloud while freeing up space.
Source: Apple
But that’s not all; iCloud+ offers a range of premium features like Private Relay that safeguards your Safari browsing, ensuring privacy from network providers, websites, and even Apple itself, all without compromising your browsing experience. It also comes with Hide My Email which allows users to generate unique, random email addresses whenever needed that can be used to sign up for newsletters and more without revealing your own email allowing you to sign up for newsletters, offers, and more without revealing your personal email address. You’ll also be able to access HomeKit Secure Video which stores home security videos with end-to-end encryption.
iCloud+ plans can be shared with up to five family members.
Blackmagic Design, the company behind the popular video editing software DaVinci Resolve, has just announced a new app: the “Blackmagic Camera” app for iPhones. What’s even more exciting? It’s absolutely free.
This app transforms your iPhone into a powerhouse for shooting professional-grade videos, giving you the feeling of working with top-tier camera equipment. The app brings powerful manual controls we’re used to seeing on high-end cameras to your fingertips.
So, what does this app bring to the table?
Blackmagic Camera empowers you with a plethora of manual controls, including shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and tint. You can even effortlessly switch between different lenses, frame rates, stabilization levels, and focus settings. The interface also houses essential features like recording parameters, histograms, focus peaking, levels, and more, making it a one-stop shop for videographers.
On top of that, the app brings the ability to record horizontal 16:9 video while holding your iPhone vertically. This discreet shooting option opens up new creative possibilities. Moreover, the app allows you to add metadata to simplify post-production tasks. If you’re an iPhone 15 Pro user, you’ll appreciate the compatibility with the new Log colour profile, ensuring top-notch video quality.
The app seamlessly integrates with DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Cloud. This means you can effortlessly sync your videos with these professional editing tools. However, you also have the flexibility to save your videos to the Photos app, share them with other apps, or store them on an external SSD.
Pricing & Availability
The Blackmagic Camera app is readily available for download on the App Store, and it won’t cost you a dime.
To unlock its full potential, all you need is an iPhone XR or a newer model running iOS 16 or later. It’s important to note that certain features, such as the Log colour profile, are exclusive to specific iPhone models due to hardware limitations.
