Could Apple end up King of smartphone AI after all?
Apple has a history of taking tech already released and making it better; can it repeat this with AI?
Apple aims for AI leadership on smartphones | Image by Apple
Right now, if you had to pick the smartphone brand that is the "King" of smartphone AI, it would be Google's Pixel line. With Gemini as an AI assistant, the Pixel 11 uses AI to clean up voice dictation with its new Rambler feature, which eliminates filler words like "Um" and "Ahh." The Magic Capture goes through a video you've shot, finds the best still images from the recording, and pulls them out for you.
Google's Pixel 11 is arguably the King of smartphone AI
Other AI features include the Magic Cue, which is the feature that debuted with the Pixel 10 series that surfaces information you need exactly when you need it. The Camera Coach is another AI based Pixel feature. It improves your photographs by telling you where to stand for the best lighting, framing, and layout for your photo.
On the other hand, Apple is seen as arriving late to the AI party. But isn't that typical for Apple? Remember, Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but it made the smartphone better. Apple didn't invent the MP3 player but it made the MP3 player better.
While Apple Intelligence didn't get off to a good start, things are improving for Apple
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Sometimes Siri AI will cut off before I've finished my verbal prompt. Occasionally, Siri AI has clogged ears and can't hear my prompt perfectly. I'm sure Apple will work on this as it has been improving Siri AI with each iOS 27 beta release.
Siri AI now delivers all the information you'll need. | Image by PhoneArena
Some other AI improvements in iOS 27 are centered on Siri AI. With the new iOS build, Siri will be able to process content displayed on your screen in real time. The AI assistant will also run through certain apps going through your email, texts, calendar entries, photos, notes, reminders, maps and wallet, Safari, Phone and FaceTime to find requested information.
Much of Apple's iOS 27 improvement in AI centers around Siri
Siri AI will also be able to access certain third-party apps such as Uber Eats, Gmail, or Delta Airlines. You'll be able to get answers to queries such as "What time is my Delta flight arriving in New York?" Siri AI will look for your flight information from a confirmation email you received, or from a text in the Messages app.
The improved Playground app will give you more realistic results. | Image by PhoneArena
Once it has your flight number, Siri AI will go through live flight status to calculate your up-to-date arrival time. In iOS 27, Siri will also be able to tell you exactly what time you need to leave for the airport from your current location in order to make the flight on time.
Once again, Siri obtains your flight info by accessing your email, texts, tracks real time flight status changes to the departure time, and analyzes real-time traffic conditions. The time you get from Siri will also include the length of time Siri AI thinks it will take you to get through the TSA line and check your bags. You'll receive a proactively sent notification on your lock screen if there is a change in traffic conditions that would force you to leave for the airport earlier than expected.
Here are some other AI improvements coming to iOS 27
Apple also upgrades the Image Playground in iOS 27. The previously underwhelming Apple Intelligence feature is improved to support photorealistic styles in addition to sketch and animation. In Apple Maps, 3D Flyover views are improved using Vision Intelligence. Textures are sharper, light reflections are more realistic when navigating to certain major cities.
With iOS 27, AI is used to improve how wallpapers look on your iPhone by expanding the borders of a cropped photo or stretch a background using the "Extend" feature. This is done by having Apple Intelligence create additional content for the image that matches the original photo.
What is your favorite iPhone AI feature?
Apple previously copied some of the Pixel's quality of life AI features such as Hold for me. Apple iPhone users might know it as Hold Assist. When you are placed on hold, this feature has Gemini (on Pixel) and Siri (on iPhone) monitor the call when you're on hold and notify you when the other party has returned to the conversation. This allows you to focus on something else when placed on hold.
To use Hold Assist, press the three dot icon (More button) and select Hold Assist.
Another AI feature Apple took from Google was the latter's Magic Eraser, which allows users to have items removed from photos. Clean Up is the same feature for iPhone users on iOS. You circle the item you want removed using your finger, and AI removes it while filling in the space. To use this feature, go to the Photos app and select a photo. Tap on Edit and select Clean Up.
Let's check back in one year when iOS 28 is on the verge of being released and we can see if Apple has made any more progress with Apple Intelligence.
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