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Apple introduced the latest version of its flagship device, the iPhone 16, betting it can entice consumers with modest hardware upgrades and AI technology that’s still on the horizon.
Chief executive officer Tim Cook unveiled the smartphone — alongside new watches and AirPods earbuds — at an event Monday that was infused with the promise of artificial intelligence.
The iPhone 16 was built for AI “from the ground up,” he said, though the capabilities will only be gradually added to the device via software updates.
It’s a gambit for the tech titan, which has been racing to develop a suite of tools called Apple Intelligence. Though Apple has been touting the technology since its developers conference in June, the software won’t be included in the initial versions of the new iPhones. They’re set to go on sale Friday, with the product reaching stores on September 20.
“This is just the beginning,” Apple software chief Craig Federighi said during the presentation. The first set of tools will be released as part of a beta test in October, he said, “with more features rolling out in the months to come.”
As part of the event, Apple unveiled a version of its smartwatch with a bigger screen and the ability to detect sleep apnea. And it touted new software that can turn AirPods into hearing aids.
The iPhone debut was the centrepiece of the presentation, though the company only made relatively minor changes to the device’s look and hardware features. — Bloomberg.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter