Why Did Apple Skip Saying ‘AI’ at the iPhone 16 Launch? Spoiler: They’re Just Being Smart!
Summary
So, Apple just had its big iPhone 16 bash, right? And you know what they didn’t say? The two words that are practically the new “Can you pass the salt?” of tech events: artificial intelligence. Yup, in a world where AI is the shiny new toy everyone fights to play with, Apple decided to keep that term on the down-low, opting instead for the ever-mysterious “intelligent features.” It’s like they’re adding sprinkles to a cupcake and pretending it’s a whole new dessert! Sure, the new iPhone 16 Pro Max is going to come in hot at $1,200 (better start saving those pennies, or just sell a kidney), and it’s bringing along its snazzy AI tools. We’ve got Siri sounding more like a conversationalist than an awkward uncle, emojis you can customize by typing “heart eyes zombie eating pizza” (because why not?), and even a dog breed identifier for when you just need to know if you’re looking at a poodle or a corgi. Woof! But let’s be real here, these features are not quite the must-haves that will have people dropping cash like confetti. I mean, when was the last time your friend went on a shopping spree just because they could ask their phone to identify a dog? If that’s the bar, I may as well keep my flip phone because it can still call my mom! Apple’s hoping we all jump on this AI bandwagon and have ourselves a sales super cycle, because who hasn’t wanted to upgrade just because there’s a fancier emoji involved? But even the financial experts are side-eyeing the hype. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management says he thinks people will warm up to these AI features, but let’s face it: Apple knows that the “AI” label can scare consumers off faster than a bad Tinder date. According to a study hot off the press, branding something as AI-powered is like putting a “maybe” label on the fridge: people just aren’t that interested anymore. That’s because we’ve all had our fill of awkward chatbots who can’t get our names right and AI art that looks like it was whipped up in a kindergarten class. So, Apple, while you cleverly sidestepped the “AI” talk like it’s a broken escalator, we get it: you’re trying to be cool and relatable, not another tech company turning us all into anxious robots. But at the end of the day, if your biggest selling point is a new emoji, maybe just stick to building the best holiday gifts for confused parents. Ready for your new iPhone? Just don’t expect it to come with a side of sentient sass!
Original Source: www.cnn.com
