As we look forward to Apple’s September event, excitement is building around the potential introduction of groundbreaking AI features in the iPhone 16. While the hardware specs are already impressive, it’s the new functionalities that promise to set this high-end model apart from its predecessors.
The Capture Button
One of the standout features in the iPhone 16 is the new “Capture Button,” designed to offer enhanced versatility for photo and video capture. Drawing inspiration from high-end cameras, this button allows for a series of gestures and presses that provide precise control over image capture:
- A light press activates autofocus, enabling users to compose their shots with greater accuracy.
- A firmer press triggers the photo capture or starts recording video.
- Sliding gestures on the button control zoom, making it easy to adjust framing quickly and intuitively.
- Additional gestures, yet to be fully detailed, will enable switching between different camera modes.
This multi-gesture approach represents a significant upgrade over the current iPhone camera controls, offering users a level of creativity and control typically reserved for dedicated cameras.
The Capture Button is strategically positioned on the right side of the iPhone 16, replacing the mmWave antenna on U.S. models. This design choice is no accident—it’s aimed at encouraging users to shoot photos and videos in landscape mode, a format preferred for viewing on large screens or the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset.
However, there’s some uncertainty about whether this button will be available across all iPhone 16 models. While some sources claim it will be included in the entire lineup, Bloomberg’s well-known analyst Mark Gurman suggests it might be exclusive to the Pro versions. This speculation has fueled discussions about Apple’s strategy to differentiate between its standard and premium models.
The Capture Button also opens the door to more advanced interaction possibilities. This technology not only enhances sensitivity to different pressure levels but also recognizes complex gestures, potentially offering third-party app developers new ways to enrich the photographic experience on the iPhone.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is set to revolutionize user experience by integrating generative AI capabilities directly into the operating system. Apple describes this approach as “AI for the rest of us,” aiming to make artificial intelligence both accessible and intuitive.
One of the key features of Apple Intelligence is a suite of writing tools designed to boost productivity. These tools will allow users to rewrite, refine, proofread, and summarize text across all iPhone apps. Users can modify the tone of their messages, make their writing more concise, and automatically correct spelling and grammar errors.
Another major innovation is the Image Playground app, which enables users to generate images from text descriptions. Inspired by generative AI models like DALL-E, this feature is deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Users can create personalized images by incorporating photos of friends and family, with options to choose from various styles like animation, illustration, or sketch.
Siri will also undergo a complete overhaul thanks to Apple Intelligence. The assistant will become more contextual, personal, and natural in its interactions. It will be able to understand and maintain context across different requests, allowing for smoother and more natural conversations. Siri will also gain new capabilities, such as performing complex tasks within apps like editing photos, managing files, or creating folders.
A particularly intriguing feature is the integration of OpenAI’s technology. When Siri cannot fulfill a request, it can call upon ChatGPT for more complex tasks, such as content generation or advanced problem-solving.
Privacy remains a top priority for Apple, and the company assures that most Apple Intelligence processes will be handled on the device itself. For more intensive tasks, Apple will use its own cloud servers equipped with Apple Silicon chips, promising that its “Private Cloud Compute” feature will not store or make any data accessible to Apple.
However, it’s important to note that these advanced AI features will be limited to the most recent iPhone models, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro.
iOS 18
iOS 18 will introduce significant changes to the user interface and native apps. The home screen will receive a major redesign, offering greater customization options. Users will be able to place apps and widgets anywhere on the iPhone’s invisible grid, allowing for more creative and personalized layouts. It will be possible to create empty spaces between icons, increase their size, and even remove app names for a cleaner look.
The Control Center will also undergo a substantial transformation. It will be fully customizable, with rearrangeable tiles and the ability to create multiple pages. Users will be able to resize controls according to their preferences, with some controls taking up an entire page. A major new feature is the inclusion of controls from third-party apps, greatly expanding the Control Center’s possibilities.
The Genmoji feature will allow users to create personalized emojis from text descriptions, while the integration of Image Playground will make it easy to create and share AI-generated images directly in conversations. iOS 18 will introduce the ability to schedule message sends and enhance message reactions with more expressive Tapbacks.
The Photos app will benefit from Apple Intelligence integration as well. A new Clean Up tool will make it easy to remove unwanted elements from photos, while the custom movie creation feature will use AI to generate video montages based on text descriptions. Search within the app will be improved with natural language support, allowing for more complex and precise queries.
Safari will introduce a Highlights feature that will automatically detect and highlight relevant information on web pages. The Reading mode will be revamped with the addition of a table of contents and an option for automatic page summaries. A new distraction control feature will reduce annoying elements on websites, such as cookie pop-ups or newsletter banners.
The Maps app will now include detailed topographic maps and trail networks, especially for all U.S. national parks. Users will be able to create their own hiking routes and save maps for offline access.
A new Gaming mode will be introduced, optimizing iPhone performance for gaming. This mode will minimize background activity, reduce audio latency with AirPods, and improve responsiveness with Bluetooth game controllers.
Privacy and security are enhanced in iOS 18. A new feature will allow users to lock and hide individual apps, requiring Face ID or Touch ID authentication to access them, even when the iPhone is unlocked. Locked or hidden apps will not send notifications and will not be accessible through search.
Apple will also introduce new contact-sharing options. When an app requests access to the address book, users can now choose to share only specific contacts rather than their entire list.
For AirPods Pro 2, iOS 18 will bring exciting new features. Users will be able to control their earbuds with head gestures, such as nodding to answer a call or shaking to decline it. A voice isolation feature will also be added to improve call clarity by reducing background noise.
The Wallet app will gain a new Tap to Cash feature, allowing for in-person payments by simply tapping two iPhones together, without sharing personal information.
Apple is also opening up NFC chip access to third-party developers with iOS 18.1, enabling contactless transactions beyond Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. This evolution could lead to new applications for in-store payments, car keys, badges, and more.
Finally, iOS 18 will introduce new accessibility features, including an eye-tracking mode that allows users to navigate the iPhone interface using only their eyes and an option to reduce motion sickness when using the iPhone in a moving vehicle.
My name is Noah and I’m a dedicated member of the “Jason Deegan” team. With my passion for technology, I strive to bring you the latest and most exciting news in the world of high-tech.