Source: Quantum Bits

Apple's first true AI device is about to be released.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman's latest report:

Apple will release a new version of the iPad Pro in May, which is directly equipped with the M4 chip and skips the M3.

Judging from the news currently circulating, the M4 chip still uses TSMC's 3nm process. The main improvement is the performance of the neural network engine, which can make the AI function smoother to use.

(PS: The neural network engine of the M3 chip is 16 cores, and Apple hasn't increased the number of this engine for several years.)

According to Gulman's earlier revelations, the M4 series chip may also be like the M3, equipped with three versions: M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max.

Specifically, when it comes to the iPad Pro, enhanced neural network engine performance can improve features such as face recognition when unlocking the iPad.

In addition to the chip, Gulman also broke the news that another major change in the latest iPad Pro is the screen — it will use OLED for the first time.

Although Gurman has always said that the appearance of the iPad Pro this time will be the biggest change since 2018, judging from a CAD drawing that came out in February, the new iPad Pro only has rounded edges and a thinner body like the iPhone 15 Pro.

Therefore, The Verge and netizens did not buy the cosmetic update, believing that if Apple were to finally deliver with this design, it would “not be the most significant change.”

In terms of accessories, the revelation is that Apple will launch a new generation of Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard at the same time, taking productivity and creativity to the next level.

Overall, Gulman believes that Apple will position the iPad Pro with the M4 chip as “the first true artificial intelligence device”:

And after that, Apple will promote every new product as an artificial intelligence device.

Many netizens also support this view, believing that the new iPad Pro is a test before putting the M4 chip into Mac and other products:

However, Gulman also expressed his expectations for Apple phones:

I hope the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 series is also built around AI.

Will the next iPhone be AI ready?

Recently, all topics surrounding the next iPhone and AI have come to light one after another.

For example, in terms of chip design, investment analyst Jeff Pu previously revealed that the A18 Pro, which will be mounted on the iPhone 16 Pro, will use a larger chip size to improve AI performance.

More specifically, similar to the M4 chip, Apple will “significantly” increase the number of neural network engine cores in the A18 series chips.

In terms of operating systems, it was previously rumored that iOS 18 will provide new generative AI features for the new iPhone's features and apps, including Siri, Spotlight, Apple Music, Health, Messages, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and shortcuts.

However, Apple itself was already slightly left behind in the AIGC era. How to make efforts here and make its products great again has naturally become a topic of great concern for the outside world.

Although there are already rumors that the new iPhone will include a big language model based on Apple's internal, Bloomberg also frequently revealed that Apple will take the form of cooperation in AIGC capabilities.

For example, Apple is considering using Google's Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT in new phones. There is also news that Apple is already in negotiations on cooperation with OpenAI.

Also, with regard to the domestic market, there is also news that Apple is in negotiations with Baidu, so users can experience new AI features based on Baidu Wenxin's one-word model in the next generation of Apple phones.

In response to this, Gulman also expressed his views in this revelation:

It's not unusual for Apple to enter an established market (AIGC), but it likes to arrive with “new tricks.”

Apple's plan this time is to show AIGC features that are deeply integrated with the iPhone operating system, rather than simply replicating elements on top of existing software, which will have more privacy and security than competitors' systems.

Having said that, given the previous product experience and user feedback, one thing Gulman is worried about is whether users will pay for the new features of the Apple phone.

After all, many users probably haven't heard of things like iPad front desk scheduling, iOS 17 standby mode, or diary apps...

All in all, what kind of “work” will Apple hand over to AIGC? The answer will be revealed at WWDC this year, so it's worth looking forward to.

One More Thing

After Apple Vision Pro sales entered a period of slowing down, Gulman also broke the news:

After 36 years at Apple, Frank Casanova, Chief Marketing Officer of Vision Pro, has officially retired.

Looking at it so far, demand for Vision Pro in many Apple stores has dropped drastically, and one retailer even said:

I haven't seen a customer buy a Vision Pro in a few weeks, and the number of returns is equivalent to sales in the first month of the device's launch.

In response, Gulman expressed concern that Apple must now figure out how to better market Vision Pro to consumers — explaining how the $3,499 product differs from other headsets, rather than being thrown into the drawer by users after a few months.

edit/lambor