Artificial intelligence (AI) applications such as ChatGPT, Midjourney and others have recently gained popularity, leading to expectations that Apple’s voice assistant Siri will gain similar features. According to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new iPhone 16 will feature an AI-powered Siri and improvements to the device’s microphones.
To support the new and improved Siri, Kuo suggested that Apple should strengthen the internals of the next-generation iPhone, especially the audio input hardware.
What improvements are coming to the iPhone 16’s microphone?
According to Kuo, Apple will offer two improvements to the iPhone 16’s microphone:
- Better water resistance
- Improved signal-to-noise ratio
Kuo’s prediction of AI-powered Siri coming to the iPhone is based on a post last month by @Tech_Reve, an account known for its Apple leaks.
“Apple is currently completely revamping Siri using LLM to make it the best virtual assistant and developing it into the most powerful AI app,” the account said in a post. Apple is currently completely revamping Siri using LLM to make it the best virtual assistant and developing it into the most powerful AI app,” the account said in a post.
Good news:
Apple is currently using LLM to completely revamp Siri into the ultimate virtual assistant and is preparing to develop it into Apple's most powerful killer AI app.
This integrated development effort is actively underway, and the first product is expected to be… pic.twitter.com/rN3Fh3sw7L
— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) November 9, 2023
Kuo also said that the improvements to the microphone will be available on all iPhone 16 models, including the entry-level iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro versions.
But don’t expect Apple to use the word “AI” when introducing the new Siri. Although AI is behind many of the features unveiled at WWDC 2023, including improved iOS autocomplete and 3D avatars for Apple Vision Pro, the Cupertino tech giant is likely to avoid the word.
This is because those working in the industry generally hate the term “Artificial Intelligence”. This term appeals more to sci-fi mythology than to real technology, and instead the more grounded term “Machine Learning” stands out. For now, Apple is opting for the more realistic one.
Kimberly Gedeon reports
