Apple has announced the dates for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it is expected to disclose its strategy for generative artificial intelligence.
The main speech at the iPhone maker's developer meeting is usually delivered by the chief executive, Tim Cook, who said last month that the technology company would reveal its generative AI plans this year.
Apple is on track to announce the next major updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS at the event. The focus is set to be on iOS 18, which powers the iPhone.
When is WWDC 2024 taking place?
The 2024 WWDC event will be held from June 10 to June 14 at Apple Park, the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The five-day conference will be accessible online. However, on the first day, there is an in-person event for a limited number of developers who will be able to watch the main address at Apple Park, meet team members and take part in special activities.
Applications to secure the limited seats are on Apple's developer website.
Generative AI in the spotlight?
Mr Cook announced plans for the emerging technology in February during an annual shareholder meeting, without giving any specific timetable.
However, the developers' conference could be the ideal opportunity for Apple to throw its hat into the generative AI race.
Mr Cook made no secret about Apple's present strategy, acknowledging that the tech company was “currently investing significantly in this area”.
“We believe that will unlock transformative opportunities for users when it comes to productivity, problem-solving and more,” he said at the time.
However, the biggest hint that AI will be front and centre at the event came from Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president for worldwide marketing, whose social media post on X on Tuesday said the event was “going to be Absolutely Incredible” – with emphasis placed on the upper case “A” and “I”.
Are there any more clues?
Apple also has often used the logos of its events to provide additional hints on what to expect. The WWDC 2024 logo seems to have nothing much to give away.
However, the moving lights could be a hint at AI. Siri, Apple's digital assistant, uses dancing lights when activated.
It remains unclear if Siri will be the main gateway to Apple's next AI phase or if it will introduce a new interface.
Also, earlier this month, it was reported that Apple and Google are teaming up to use the latter's Gemini AI technology on Apple's coming flagship devices, expected to be the iPhone 16 series.
Some reports, citing sources, suggested that Apple would announce major partnerships at the WWDC. Apple does not routinely comment on plans and speculation.
And as analysts expect iPhone sales to benefit from the collaboration, on a broader scale, AI service developers are also looking into major ecosystems in which they can distribute their services and tap into a massive user base.
Apple achieved a milestone in February 2023 when it reported that it surpassed the two-billion user base mark across all its hardware products. As of 2024, there are about 1.46 billion iPhone users alone, data from technology comparison site BankMyCell shows.
“As competition heats up and AI offerings become more alike, securing distribution channels like becoming the default AI on iOS becomes crucial,” Andreas Hassellof, chief executive of Switzerland-based technology consultancy Ombori, told The National.
“We now see that phone makers prefer to control their own AI, but Apple's collaboration might inspire similar partnerships. It'll be interesting to see if more companies team up with Apple's rivals in the future.”
Does generative AI for Apple come at a crucial time?
Yes, especially at a time when the smartphone industry is experiencing a downturn, owing to factors such as inflation, supply chain challenges, longer replacement cycles and users holding off on upgrading their devices.
Generative AI is expected to resurrect interest in the most popular consumer electronics device. Samsung has already introduced Galaxy AI in its latest S24 series.
Investors are also keeping an eye on Apple's AI plans, considered a benchmark of the technology industry. The company is no stranger to lukewarm reception at times after it makes announcements, but has been observed to bounce back once updated products are out in the market.
Generative AI would also help further boost Apple's services segment, which has carried the load with record revenue over the past years, making up for flagging iPhone sales.
For Apple, generative AI could make the next iPhones the most potent by far. It “will speed Apple’s efforts to equip multiple AI technologies in the next roll-outs of iPhones”, Ramazan Yavuz, senior research manager at the International Data Corporation, told The National.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More on animal trafficking
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
