Google can learn a few things from Apple’s WWDC keynote

I was in a bad mood after that Google I/O Last month. I thought: What’s the point of all this artificial intelligence if it’s currently harming my Android experience? And then I came to my senses. I’m excited about AI features like this from Apple. Announced for iPhone at WWDC.

I thought it was a result of being at Apple Park and enjoying a fluffy yet crispy chocolate croissant at Mac Café. But as time at the developer conference passed and I became more familiar with what was in store for me, I realized that I had accepted a certain acquiescence. . I didn’t feel as resistant to the idea of ​​Apple Intelligence as I did to the AI ​​sitting in the press box at Google I/O. Apple’s branding was better. It’s less heartbreaking than Gemini’s strong existence and is a little more attractive for its ease of use.

iOS18 It won’t be available for several months, and much of what Apple Intelligence can do won’t be available to the general public in the future. beta. Actually the features of A.I. will only be available to a subset of Apple devices. However, the way Apple packaged everything convinced me that the way it was moving towards artificial intelligence was neater and more organized than the way Google was doing it.

Engaging opening speech

Apple has done a good job of focusing on the features that users will get when Apple Intelligence launches later this year, without talking too much about artificial intelligence. While Google used its speech to justify its pivot, Apple barely touched on the topic until the second hour. looks less like a timeshare presentationconvincing me of what I could gain if I gave in, and more like a state of the union explaining the changes that will occur as a result of industry trends.

Apple spent the second half of its presentation outlining the features of Apple Intelligence and the capabilities it will provide. involves removing people and objects from the background of a photo and creating emojis based on a text message – all that Android can do In most cases. But again, Apple’s way of presenting them as quality-of-life improvements to the operating system rather than new additions. This technology has made AI accessible and, in some cases, even attractive.

The Promise of Contextual Siri

I didn’t handle the transition from Google to Gemini very well. Recently back to Google Assistant after some disappointing experiences with Gemini’s current AI offering, despite painful daily reminders that is away. Google hasn’t been very forthcoming about what the future of smart home systems and other related capabilities will be once Gemini takes over. Until then, I feel safe using only Gemini online.

Meanwhile, Apple is showing me what I previously imagined using Google Assistant. Contextual Siri will be available for iPhone later this year. The idea is that you start a conversation with a traditional digital assistant. While the screen glows around the edges, you can continue in the context of your voice or what you’re doing on the screen until you get the result you want.

I have Nest Audio speakers in my home because I imagined a similar future with Google, where I would walk into every room and be guided by a digital assistant. However, as the months go by, especially after the release of Gemini, Assistant’s ability to understand which device I’m controlling in a particular room becomes more of a hassle than a help. If you don’t believe me, look outside tens annoying users on Reddit who have struggled to enjoy Gemini’s fruits because it isn’t fully integrated with everything Google Assistant is supposed to do.

In the end, everything is AI

Behind the manicured garden wall, Apple Intelligence is moving full steam ahead despite some lingering questions about privacy and data sets. According to Apple, AI is a natural evolution of its software, and your role as a user gives you the privilege to experiment. within established limits.

Google has also tried to steer us all towards a narrative of experimentation, but this tends to lead to instability in the Android world. I wonder if I would have been less upset if I had gone all-in on Apple’s side? Some of the floating comments about Apple Intelligence lead me to believe that I am one of the few who are optimistic after WWDC. It doesn’t seem like much of a choice anyway. You either accept that the future of mobile devices depends on artificial intelligence, or you try to be one of those people who turn to the “dumb phone” to maintain their sanity.