The MacRumors Show: iOS 18's AI Features

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the widely rumored array of AI features heading for iOS 18 and Apple's other major software updates in 2024.


Supply chain checks suggest that Apple is building servers to deliver cloud-based AI in late 2024, as well as locally-processed "edge-AI." The company is reportedly planning to debut a "smarter" version of Siri based on its own large language model (LLM) next year that can understand complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively, as well as integrate with the Shortcuts app for complex multi-step tasks.

Apple is said to be working on adding AI to as many apps as possible, including features in Apple Music, such as auto-generated playlists, and productivity apps like Pages and Keynote, where AI could assist with writing or creating slide decks. The iPhone 16 lineup is also rumored to feature exclusive AI capabilities, and the company is even rumored to be looking into how generative AI could be used to aid AppleCare.

The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so head over and subscribe to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the current state of gaming in Apple's ecosystem with TouchArcade's Jared Nelson and Eli Hodapp.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is now on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Coming Soon: Here's What's New

Monday January 13, 2025 5:33 am PST by
iOS 18.3 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. So far, the upcoming iPhone software update is very minor in scope. Below, we outline what is new in iOS 18.3 so far. The only potential new feature coming to iPhones with iOS 18.3 so far is robot vacuum support in the Home app, but this functionality is not yet live. Apple is laying the groundwork for the feature,...
new magsafe charger

Apple Releases Updated MagSafe Charger Firmware

Tuesday January 14, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the 25W MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods and Apple Watch models. The updated firmware is version 2A143, up from the 2A138 firmware that the accessory shipped with. In the Settings app, you'll see a different version number than the internal firmware number. The 2024 MagSafe charger was...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Wednesday January 15, 2025 7:16 am PST by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the "ultra-thin" device. Overall, the "iPhone 17 Air" is shaping up to be a mixed bag. Due to its thinness, the device is expected to have some limited specifications compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, no SIM...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

Sunday January 12, 2025 4:11 pm PST by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year." That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point...
severance new york promo 1

Apple Promotes Severance Season 2 Premiere With Lumon Industries Pop-Up and Visits From Actors

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:47 pm PST by
Ahead of the season two premiere of hit TV show Severance, Apple is marketing the show with a fun Severance pop-up at the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Apple has assembled a glass cube with workstations that are identical to the setups that Lumon employees use on the show, complete with employees "working," doing yoga, playing catch, throwing paper airplanes, sipping coffee, and...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected This Year: Here's What We Know

Wednesday January 8, 2025 7:05 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
General Apps Messages Redux

Phishing Attacks Use This Simple Trick to Defeat iPhone Message Security

Monday January 13, 2025 6:11 am PST by
A new social engineering tactic is being used by cybercriminals to trick iPhone users into disabling iMessage's built-in phishing protection, in a bid to expose them to malicious links and scams, according to BleepingComputer. The scam exploits a security feature in iMessage that automatically disables links from unknown senders. Apple told the outlet that when users reply to these messages...

Top Rated Comments

g5powerbook Avatar
15 months ago
I just saw the Google photos commercial where the phone pics our best faces from a series of photos and puts them in one photo. What is Apple doing? So far behind now. This would have been a highlight in an Apple keynote. They’re so far behind in AI and their phones are getting so stale.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rhemy123 Avatar
15 months ago
I'm calling it now. Apple AI will be a half-baked feature that will only work on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, due to the the extra size of the device and the cost of the special AI chip enclave that will be required to run it. In fact it won't even run on M3 Macs because they will not have the supporting chips either. The base features will add very little to your life, but the subscription plans will be semi-useful. Apple will introduce it with really slick marketing videos made with... you guessed it... Apple AI on iPhone. They will show people doing incredible things with the new Apple AI assistant. Rock climbers will be completing keynote presentations with their Apple Watch Ultras from the side of a mountain. Students will be using it to create music mixes by tapping their Apple Pencils against their iPads, and children will be able to finally find shows they will love on Apple TV+'s massive 8 show catalog.

Sales will be robust despite the reports of Apple's supply chain having issues. It will be the best iPhone Apple has ever created. starting at $999 for the base 128gb model with an LCD screen from 2008 and going up to the iPhone Pro Max Ultra in titanium for $4999.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jpotisch2 Avatar
15 months ago
Given that Siri just suggested I call in to an MRI, there's plenty of room for Apple to do better!

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W£S Avatar
15 months ago


Given that Siri just suggested I call in to an MRI, there's plenty of room for Apple to do better!
It is not difficult for Apple to produce a “better” Siri, given how bad Siri is now ?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phill85 Avatar
15 months ago
"The iPhone 16 ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-16/') lineup is also rumored to feature exclusive AI capabilities ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/09/iphone-16-exclusive-ai-features-ios-18/').."

THIS, is yet another reason why I continue to be thrilled I skipped the 15 Pro. Waiting on my 16 Pro...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sjsharksfan12 Avatar
15 months ago
I could go with just not making Siri so dumb. I barely use Siri because it's about 90% useless. I'm not sure how I will adapt to AI (And I do have a fear of where we are going with AI, considering Skynet and all) but I know I will have to adapt eventually.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)