logo
Apple's AI plans are taking shape, quietly  but definitely

Apple's AI plans are taking shape, quietly but definitely

Time of India5 days ago
Looks like Apple's finally stepping into the AI ring and in true Apple style. It's doing it with quiet precision and just enough mystery to make you wonder if this was the plan all along. As per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company has put together a new internal team called 'AKI' (Answers, Knowledge and Information). Their mission? Build an 'answer engine' that can scan the web and respond to general-knowledge queries. Basically, this could be Apple's most direct move yet to take on ChatGPT and Google Gemini.For the longest time, Apple's been tiptoeing around the chatbot gold rush. When it first revealed its AI plans last year, the company made one thing very clear: it wasn't building its own ChatGPT rival. Instead, it partnered with OpenAI to bake ChatGPT into Siri a clever move, but also one that felt like Apple was testing the waters rather than diving in.Internally, top software and marketing heads reportedly weren't even sure if users wanted chatbots to begin with. But while Apple played the waiting game, the rest of the world jumped in headfirst using generative AI for everything from school assignments to internet searches and Excel hacks. That shift in consumer behaviour seems to have finally nudged Apple off the fence.Enter AKI short for Answers, Knowledge and Information Apple's newly assembled team led by senior director Robby Walker, under AI chief John Giannandrea. They're now reportedly working on both a standalone app and the backend tech needed to supercharge Siri, Spotlight, and Safari. Apple's also started hiring search engine engineers, hinting that this is much more than just a Siri glow-up. It's Apple laying the groundwork for its own generative AI ecosystem With the AKI team now in place, Apple's finally making its most direct move to reclaim the AI narrative. Whether this 'answer engine' shows up as a shiny new app or works quietly behind the scenes in Siri or Safari, one thing's obvious Apple's done watching from the sidelines. And if history is any indicator, it might be showing up late, but it rarely shows up unprepared.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India's smartphone market sees 7-8% growth after two-quarter slump
India's smartphone market sees 7-8% growth after two-quarter slump

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

India's smartphone market sees 7-8% growth after two-quarter slump

Synopsis India's smartphone market saw a recovery in the June quarter. Shipments increased by 7-8% after a previous decline. New models and marketing efforts drove this growth. However, consumer demand remained moderate. Average selling prices reached a record high. Apple performed strongly, with iPhone 16 being the top-shipped model. Offline channels experienced significant growth, while online channels remained stable.

Apple rumored to launch 12.9-inch MacBook this year at a price that will shock you - here are the details
Apple rumored to launch 12.9-inch MacBook this year at a price that will shock you - here are the details

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Apple rumored to launch 12.9-inch MacBook this year at a price that will shock you - here are the details

Apple budget MacBook 2025: Apple is planning a new, affordable MacBook. The price may range from $599 to $699. It could feature a 12.9-inch display and an ultra-thin design. The laptop might use the A18 Pro chip. Mass production of components may start in late 2025. The launch is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. This could significantly boost MacBook sales. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Will Apple Launch Affordable 12.9-Inch MacBook by End of 2025 New MacBook Starting Price Could Be a Game-Changer: $599 to $699 Powered by iPhone Chip: First Mac with A18 Pro Processor Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Latest MacBook Mass Production Starting Soon Slightly Smaller Screen, Ultra-Thin Design, Colorful Finishes Potential to Boost Apple's MacBook Sales by 40% Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Apple might be on the verge of surprising fans with something nobody saw coming, a new MacBook that's both bigger in size and smaller in price, as per a to a new report by DigiTimes, Apple is preparing to launch a more affordable MacBook , potentially by the end of this speculated starting price is expected to be between $599 and $699, which is a significant drop from the current 13-inch MacBook Air, as it starts at $999 in the US or can be $899 with Apple's student discount, as reported by READ: iPhone 17 Pro Max leak: 3 game-changing upgrades Apple fans can't ignore What sets this MacBook apart isn't just the price, it's what's inside. This new 12.9-inch laptop is expected to be powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year, according to the the speculation is true, this would mark the first time Apple has used an iPhone chip in a Mac, as per the Macrumors report. Until now, all Apple Silicon Macs have relied on M-series chips, which are known for more cores and higher performance, along with greater memory capacity, and improved external display support, according to the Ming-Chi Kuo initially reported the development of this more affordable MacBook in June, he predicted that this model would enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of this year or early in the first quarter of 2026, as per the Macrumors DigiTimes has backed that timeline, adding that some components are expected to enter mass production by the end of Q3 2025, according to the report. If all goes smoothly, full assembly could begin before the end of the year, potentially putting the device on store shelves in late 2025 or early 2026, which is similar to Kuo's launch estimation, as reported by READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again The report highlighted that the new MacBook will feature a 12.9-inch display, which is slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch screen on the current MacBook Air, according to Macrumors. Apple is expected to keep the design ultra-thin and lightweight, having a minimalist MacBook design, as per the also hinted that the more-affordable MacBook could come in colorful finishes, possibly including Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow, as per the Macrumors READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? There's one potential challenge that the A18 Pro chip doesn't support Thunderbolt, according to the rpeort. That means the laptop will likely come with standard USB-C ports instead, as per the Macrumors report. While it's a step down from what power users may need, most everyday users will find it more than enough, according to the estimates suggest Apple could ship between 5 million and 7 million units of this new low-cost MacBook model annually, potentially boosting total MacBook sales by up to 40%, reported it's rumored to start between $599 and $699, which is much more affordable than the current $999 starting price of the MacBook Air, as per the report by laptop will likely use the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro, as per the report by Macrumors.

Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad Says Meeting With Scott Bessent Was Canceled
Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad Says Meeting With Scott Bessent Was Canceled

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad Says Meeting With Scott Bessent Was Canceled

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said in a local television interview on Monday that a long-sought meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was canceled and hasn't been rescheduled. Haddad said he tried to set another time for the virtual gathering with Bessent, which had been set to take place this week, but has not been successful. He added that Brazil trade isn't a focal point for the US government. The cancellation marks the latest setback in a relationship that has soured quickly since the US government levied 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods earlier this month. Those trade barriers are part of a pressure campaign to get the country's Supreme Court to drop coup attempt charges against former head of state Jair Bolsonaro, who is an ally of Donald Trump. Haddad has spearheaded efforts to negotiate with the US, and had expressed hope that talks with Bessent would lead to additional breakthroughs after the Trump administration exempted nearly 700 products from the higher levies that went into effect last week. The Brazilian finance minister suggested during the interview, however, that Bolsonaro supporters in the US had played a role in scuttling the meeting with Bessent. 'The official reason given was a 'lack of availability,'' Haddad said, describing the explanation as 'unusual.' He noted that the issue extends beyond the Finance Ministry. Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said last week that he wants to see signs that the US is willing to negotiate in a way that treats his nation as an equal partner before he calls Trump to discuss the tariffs. Haddad reiterated that point during the interview, while saying that Lula has not closed the door on a phone call with Trump. Finance ministry officials with meet with both Lula and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin later on Monday to finalize a plan to soften the economic blow from the US tariffs, Haddad said. The measures, which focus on taxes, financing lines and government purchases, have to be flexible, he said. Haddad's main worry is protecting the Brazilian economy, and he added that exports intended for the US will require new destinations. --With assistance from Andre Loureiro Dias. (Adds additional context) More stories like this are available on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store