VOA科学技术2024--Apple Launches New iPhone 'Built for AI'

Apple has launched its latest device, the iPhone 16. The company said it designed the new phone with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Apple announced four new iPhone 16 models during a launch event September 9 from its headquarters in Cupertino, California. It said the new models are equipped with special chips to support the increased power needed for AI operations.

Apple says the AI built into the devices is part of its newly developed Apple Intelligence technology. Apple leader Tim Cook spoke¹ at the launch event. He said the new iPhone 16 models had been "designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up."

Apple Intelligence is available to users of the new iPhone 16 models, as well as the 15 Pro² and 15 Pro Max. Users must also be running iOS 18.1, which is expected to launch in October. Apple Intelligence can also be used with iPads and Macs.

The company describes the technology as a "personal intelligence system" designed to help users "communicate, work, and express" themselves.

The new AI tools, or features, are designed to improve on past ones, including the company's 13-year-old Siri digital assistant. Company officials say they aim to get Siri to better understand requests and actions of the user.

One new feature of iPhone 16 models lets users search for pictures in their images collection by describing what an image looks like. AI tools can also help users create personal emojis and can organize and provide brief descriptions of emails. Other AI features include improved camera and video production functions.

The new iPhone models are also equipped with a new button that reacts to clicks and hand movements to make it easier and faster to set up shots, capture images and start video recording³.

The company says the iPhone 16 models will be available for pre-order on September 13. But since the new AI tools require the iOS 18 update, users will have to wait until they receive that to use the features. Apple has said the iOS 18 release will roll out from October through December. American English will be the first available language, followed by more to be added next year.

The price for an iPhone 16 will start at just under $800. The top model will cost almost $1200.

Apple's push to include AI tools in its new devices is partly seen as a reaction to moves by competitors like Samsung and Google. Both of those companies have already offered users powerful new AI tools in their latest smartphone models.

In addition to the new AI features offered, Apple has also teamed up with ChatGPT developer OpenAI to give users the chance to use that company's technology for more complex operations. In June, Apple announced it was working with OpenAI to create a series of AI tools for iPhones and other personal devices.

Apple officials have noted⁴ that all users have the ability to turn off any AI tools they do not want. The company has long claimed it highly values personal privacy and says it has built tools into its operating systems to protect user data. Apple said it took the same steps to provide privacy protections for its new AI tools.

Besides announcing the new AI-equipped devices, Apple also introduced new models of its Apple Watch and AirPods headphones.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger and brighter display that aims to improve views from any position. The changes to Apple Watch also include additional health features, such as a sleep monitor tool that aims to identify the disorder⁵ sleep apnea.

Apple says the new AirPods 4 come with an improved chip for better audio quality, as well as more active noise cancellation⁶. The devices are also equipped with a tool to help users find lost AirPods. It plays a sound when Apple's Find Me app is used to find lost devices.

Words in This Story

chip - n. a small part of a computer that stores and helps process information

function - v. to work or operate in a particular way

button - v. a switch that is pressed to control an operation or piece of equipment

display - n. an electronic device that shows information from a computer

monitor - v. to watch something carefully and record the results

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

6 cancellation   

n.删除，取消

参考例句：

• Heavy seas can cause cancellation of ferry services.海上风浪太大，可能须要取消渡轮服务。
• Her cancellation of her trip to Paris upset our plan.她取消了巴黎之行打乱了我们的计划。