by Apple has launched its latest device, the iPhone 16. The company says it has designed the new phone with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Apple announced four new iPhone 16 models at a launch event on September 9 at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. It said the new models come equipped with special chips to support the increased power required for AI operations.
Apple says the AI built into the devices is part of its newly developed Apple Intelligence technology. Speaking at the launch event, Apple executive Tim Cook said the new iPhone 16 models were “designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence.”
Apple Intelligence is available for owners of the new iPhone 16 models, as well as the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Users must also be running iOS 18.1, which is expected to be available in October. Apple Intelligence can also be used with iPads and Macs.
The company describes the technology as a “personal intelligence system” designed to help users “communicate, work and express themselves.”
The new AI tools, or features, are designed to improve on previous ones, including the company’s 13-year-old digital assistant Siri. Company officials say they aim to make Siri better understand user requests and actions.
A new feature on iPhone 16 models lets users search for images in their image collection by describing what an image looks like. AI tools can also help users create personalized emojis and can organize emails and provide short descriptions. Other AI features include improved camera and video production functions.
The new iPhone models also come equipped with a new knob that responds to clicks and hand movements, making it easier and faster to shoot, capture images and start video recording.
The company says iPhone 16 models will be available for pre-order starting September 13. But because the new AI tools require the iOS 18 update, users will have to wait until they receive that to use the features. Apple has said that the iOS 18 release will roll out from October through December. U.S. English will be the first language available, with more languages added next year.
The iPhone 16 starts at just under $800, with the top-of-the-line model costing nearly $1,200.
Apple’s push to incorporate AI tools into its new devices is seen in part as a response to moves by rivals Samsung and Google, both of which have already offered users powerful new AI tools in their latest smartphone models.
In addition to the new AI features being offered, Apple has also partnered with ChatGPT developer OpenAI to give users the ability to use that company’s technology for more complex tasks. In June, Apple announced that it was working with OpenAI to create a suite of AI tools for iPhones and other personal devices.
Apple officials have noted that all users have the ability to turn off AI tools they don’t want. The company has long maintained that it takes personal privacy seriously and says it has built tools into its operating systems to protect user data. Apple said it has taken the same steps to provide privacy protections for its new AI tools.
In addition to announcing the new AI-enabled devices, Apple also introduced new models of the Apple Watch and AirPods headphones.
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger, brighter display display which is aimed at improving visibility from any position. The changes to Apple Watch also include additional health features, such as a sleep monitor tool aimed at identifying the disorder sleep apnea.
Apple says the new AirPods 4 have an improved chip for better audio quality and more active noise cancellation. The devices also come with a tool to help users locate lost AirPods. It plays a sound when using Apple’s Find Me app to locate missing devices.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Apple, The Associated Press and Reuters.
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Words in this story
splinter – N. a small part of a computer that stores and helps process information
function – v. to work or operate in a certain way
knob – v. a switch that is pressed to operate an action or a piece of equipment
display – N. an electronic device that displays information from a computer
monitor – v. to look at something closely and record the results
