ONE BIG READ

Apple’s biggest new AI features

Apple’s WWDC was yesterday and a lot was announced in the 90-minute pre-recorded event, including “Apple Intelligence.” Yup, Apple rebranded AI to Apple Intelligence. Personally, I think it’s a genius marketing move.

But without further ado, let’s get into it. Here are Apple’s best new AI features:

• Siri is more deeply integrated and has a lovely little glow effect. She understands context (like who your mom is) and can manage follow-up conversations. She can work across third-party apps and give device support (like changing from light to dark mode). You can type to her, too.

• ChatGPT integration: You’ll have the option to access ChatGPT for free, without creating an account.

• iPad’s Calculator App: The new Math Notes experience solves equations as you write them. Woah.

• Image generation: Apple has a new app called Image Playground that’s integrated across the device. You can generate images, or alter them, in animation, illustration, or sketch styles. Images can be created directly in Messages, Notes, or Keynote, for example, and third-party apps that use the API.

• Emojis: Image generation means cool emojis, too, including personalized Memojis for you and friends.

• Photos & Video: You can ask the Photos app to create a video with your specific requirements (“Leo learning to fish”). Gone are those mediocre photo albums no one asked for. You can also edit your photos or search them with natural language.

• Writing Tools: Your iOS devices are getting those grammar, summary, and copy generation features you’ve had to use other AI tools for. You’ll also be able to record and transcribe notes, and record in a live call.

• Smart Script copies your handwriting on iPadOS with the Apple Pencil.

• Notifications: Your device will now prioritize what’s important to you like push notifications or important emails at the top.

Three more things to ponder :

• If you’re freaked out by AI/Apple having access to your data, see how Apple addressed privacy here.

• You can read more about Apple’s On-Device and Server Foundation Models that power Apple Intelligence here.

• These updates left a lot of us questioning, “What does this do to the competing AI tools we’ve already been using?” 

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT

Tab organization on autopilot

IMHO, the best AI products today are made by those who understand where AI should do the leg work, and where a personal touch elevates a tool’s efficiency to the next level. Peek fits the bill.

Peek is a browser tab organizer with features that punch above its weight as a productivity tool. AI organizes your tabs and groups them while you work. Then you can manage them in your workspace.

Let’s say you’ve been searching in multiple tabs for content about how to implement RAG. First, Peek will group those tabs for you. Then, you can open up your sidebar workspace and add notes to those groups, including AI generated summaries or bullet points. You can even drag & drop or nest items, like another group of tabs with your searches for RAG tools underneath. If you accidentally open a duplicate site, Peek will catch it and group it. Also, the tool will make suggestions on how to group tabs as you’re going down a rabbit hole of browsing.

AI IN THE HEADLINES

• Mistral raised $640 million.

• Microsoft is making changes to its Recall feature after criticism.

• Nvidia surpassed Apple as the second most valuable company.

• Elon Musk has threatened to ban Apple devices after WWDC.

• OpenAI has hired the former Nextdoor boss, its first-ever CFO.

• Stability AI launched an open-source model for audio samples.

• Mozilla made “local AI” the theme of its 2024 accelerator.