Tuesday June 11, 2024
Apple ($APPL) held its 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference to introduce Apple Intelligence, along with a new operating system, iOS 18, and MacOS "Sequoia."
While the newly introduced features exceeded my expectations, I have some concerns about the timing of the AI tools' availability. How soon will users be able to access everything? Critics might argue that Apple is merely catching up with other products on the market, and while I agree to some extent, I appreciate that I won't need to purchase third-party apps separately anymore. All the AI features Apple introduced are "free." This will be a game changer for users of the Apple ecosystem.
Here are my top 5 highlights from the presentation.
“Apple Intelligence” offers a personalized generative model with “Private Cloud Compute” — this could be better than I expected but could be released over a longer period
“Phone mirroring” allows you to control and access your iPhone on a MacBook/iMac without having the phone in your hands
“Smart Script” technology uses machine learning to make your handwriting more legible and turns text into your handwriting (Requires Apple Pencil)
“Math Notes” completes math equations, including variable equations, using your own hand writing. (Requires Apple Pencil)
New design with improved organization tools for Photos and Email
◾ Apple introduced “Apple Intelligence” a “powerful, intuitive, integrated, personal, [and] private” generative model. (Apple)
◾ Elon Musk said he will ban Apple devices from his companies if OpenAI is integrated into Apple’s operating system. (CNBC)
◾ The SEC is inviting public comments on its first spot ether ETF, Proshares Ethereum ETF. (SEC.gov)
Government & NGO Actions
◾ The European Union has reelected the main proponents of the MiCA crypto framework. (CoinDesk)
◾ Australia banned the use of credit cards and digital currencies from online gaming sites. (Canberratimes)
◾ The National Bank of Georgia is working with Ripple to digitize the Georgian economy. (LinkedIn)
◾ The EU Innovation Hub released a report on encryption warning that privacy coins like Monero (XMR) and DASH are hidden from visibility. (Europol.europa.eu)
◾ The FTC issued a warning “if your online love interest offers to teach you how to invest your money.” (FTC.gov)
Financial Notices & Public Company Releases
◾ DeFi Technologies ($DEFI) announced that bitcoin will become its primary treasury reserve asset. (Newswire.ca)
◾ Digihost ($DGHI) is adding 11,000 mining rigs through a 60% profit sharing arrangement with an unnamed strategic partner. (GlobeNewswire)
Restructuring, Losses & Legal News
◾ The Genesis creditors wind down committee selected Cleary Gottlieb as its legal counsel. (Telegram)
AI Announcements
◾ Meta ($META) plans to use European customer data to train its Llama AI large language model. (ABCnews)
Protocols, Applications & Business News
◾ Uniswap Labs is acquiring interactive crypto survival challenge, Crypto: The Game. (Uniswap)
◾ Fidelity is tokenizing shares in a money market fund using JPMorgan’s ($JPM) Onyx platform. (CoinDesk)
◾ Digital asset custodian Fireblocks is now supporting perpetual futures and spot trading for Coinbase International customers.. (Fireblocks)
◾ Travel booking site Travala added Telegram’s token ($TON) as a payment option. (X)
Market Data
◾ A consumer report finds that 14% of New Zealand residents own digital assets. (EasyCrypto)