It’s hard to imagine how we traveled in the age of flip phones. How did we navigate new cities, find hole-in-the-wall bars, or where to go for the best slice? Although getting away from screens on vacation should be mandatory, we rely heavily on the tech in our pocket. And it’s about to get even more helpful. This week, Apple announced it will be introducing generative AI to the newest iPhone models, and some of these upgrades and features will make life easier for travelers. From asking AI about locations at the click of a button to getting Siri to sort your itinerary for you, Apple Intelligence could be your new travel companion.
Photo: Apple
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Photo: Apple
The next generation of iPhones will include a new camera button located on the right side of the device below the power button. This addition has a slew of new uses within the camera app and can also activate the new AI camera features.
Users can point, click, and hold the camera button to get information on a restaurant, such as opening hours and ratings, options to view the menu, and even make a reservation. Or, say you’re passing a flyer for an event; you’ll be able to use the camera and seamlessly add the details to your calendar. Visual intelligence will allow you to get information on pretty much anything you see, from breeds of dogs and types of plants to what model of push bike you’re looking at and where you can buy it.
Photo: Apple
Apple has also stated that with the first set of Apple Intelligence features, Siri will become more natural, contextually relevant, personal, and deeply integrated into the system experience. With upcoming updates, users will be able to do things like ask Siri for details on a flight they have booked. Siri will be able to cross-reference flight information from an email or text with real-time flight tracking information to provide up-to-date arrival times. You’ll also be able to ask Siri to show photos from a specific trip or find plans for a lunch reservation you made through text…and then tell you how long it will take to get there.
And there’s more. Here are a few other notable changes Apple will be rolling out that will help with travel.
Photo: Apple
Priority notifications: AI should prioritize notifications such as a boarding pass or upcoming appointments.
Better cameras: The cameras have been upgraded, and the native camera app has much more flexibility and creative editing functions.
Reduced background noise when taking videos: This breakthrough will enable you to capture clearer, more immersive footage, even in windy conditions.
Industry-leading durability: Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, the new devices will feature robust construction, strong back glass, water—and dust-resistant properties, and regular software updates. The Ceramic Shield is also 50 percent tougher than its predecessor and twice as resistant to shattering as glass found on other smartphones.
Enhanced connectivity for adventurous travelers: Leveraging the same advanced technology as Emergency SOS via satellite, users will be able to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS while venturing beyond cellular and WiFi coverage. And the addition of Emergency SOS Live Video will enable users to share live video footage or photos with emergency dispatchers during an emergency call, providing valuable context for a swift response, even in the most remote spots.
With the announcement that Apple is utilizing AI, there have been growing concerns over privacy and data sharing. The company has sought to address this, the best they can.
Apple states that many of the models run Apple Intelligence entirely on a device, and to run more complex requests that require more processing power, they use something called Private Cloud Compute. When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple and is only used to fulfil requests. Users who choose to access ChatGPT will have their IP addresses obscured, and OpenAI will not store their requests.
All in all, this should mean a safe user experience with privacy at every step for those who want to use AI to help them explore the world. 