Apple Intelligence to Expand with More AI Features, Says Tim Cook
▼ Summary
– Tim Cook announced Apple plans to integrate more third-party AI tools like ChatGPT and potentially Google Gemini into its operating systems.
– Apple is developing an AI-upgraded Siri for release next year and remains open to mergers and acquisitions to advance its AI roadmap.
– Apple reported record fourth-quarter earnings of $102.5 billion, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.
– iPhone revenue reached $49.03 billion, with the new iPhone 17 lineup featuring the thinnest iPhone Air and ProMotion on entry-level models.
– Revenue grew across Mac ($8.72 billion), iPad ($6.95 billion), and services ($28.8 billion) divisions, driven by subscriptions like Apple TV and Music.
Apple is actively expanding its artificial intelligence ecosystem by planning deeper integrations with third-party AI models across its operating systems. CEO Tim Cook confirmed the company’s strategy to embed more external AI tools, signaling a significant shift in how Apple approaches intelligent features. In a recent CNBC interview, Cook explained that their goal involves integrating with additional partners over the coming months. This initiative has already started with the inclusion of ChatGPT into Siri, while reports suggest that collaborations with Google Gemini, Anthropic, and Perplexity are currently under development.
This direction aligns with previous statements from Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, who indicated last year that the company was considering future integrations with various models, including Google Gemini. Cook also provided an update on Siri’s development, noting that an AI-enhanced version of the voice assistant remains on schedule for a release next year. He emphasized that Apple is making substantial headway on Siri’s capabilities and remains open to mergers and acquisitions if they can accelerate the company’s AI roadmap.
These announcements arrived alongside Apple’s fourth-quarter earnings report, which showcased a record-breaking $102.5 billion in revenue, an eight percent increase compared to the same period last year. iPhone sales contributed $49.03 billion to this total, with the recently launched iPhone 17 lineup playing a role. The new series includes the ultra-slim iPhone Air, the standard iPhone 17, and the iPhone 17 Pro. Notably, Apple has extended several features previously exclusive to Pro models to its entry-level device, such as an always-on display with ProMotion technology for enhanced scrolling smoothness.
Beyond iPhones, Apple’s Mac division reported revenue of $8.72 billion, while iPad sales reached $6.95 billion. The services segment, encompassing subscriptions to Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade, also demonstrated strong performance, growing to $28.8 billion. Cook’s remarks and the latest financial results highlight Apple’s dual focus on advancing its AI capabilities while maintaining robust growth across its hardware and services portfolios.
(Source: The Verge)
