Apple Quietly has been making stealthy moves in the AI space, quietly acquiring three cutting-edge AI startups in early 2024. While the tech giant remains tight-lipped, industry insiders believe these purchases reveal Apple’s next big AI strategy.
From real-time voice synthesis to on-device AI processing, these acquisitions could hint at revolutionary upgrades coming to iPhones, Macs, and even the long-rumored Apple Glasses.
In this exclusive report, we break down:
✔ The 3 AI startups Apple just acquired (and their tech)
✔ How they fit into Apple’s AI roadmap
✔ iOS 18’s rumored AI features (and what’s confirmed)
✔ Is Apple finally catching up to Google & OpenAI?
Let’s decode Apple’s AI master plan.
What They Do:
- Specializes in small, ultra-efficient neural networks.
- Tech allows AI to run fast & battery-friendly on iPhones (no cloud needed).
Why Apple Bought Them:
- iOS 18’s big push for on-device AI (privacy + speed).
- Could power real-time Siri upgrades, photo enhancements, and predictive text.
Insider Leak:
Apple may rebrand DarwinAI’s tech as “Apple Neural Engine 3.0” in A18 chips.
What They Do:
- Uses machine learning to shrink video file sizes without quality loss.
- Already used by Netflix & YouTube (but Apple now owns the IP).
Why Apple Bought Them:
- 4K/8K video streaming on Apple Vision Pro with less lag.
- Faster AirDrop & iCloud uploads for ProRes videos.
- Potential “AI Video Boost” for iPhone 16 cameras.
Rumor:
iOS 18 might introduce “Smart Streaming” for Apple TV+.
What They Do:
- Creates hyper-realistic voice synthesis (think Siri 2.0).
- Can mimic emotions, accents, and even whisper naturally.
Why Apple Bought Them:
- Total Siri overhaul (less robotic, more human).
- AI audiobook narration for Apple Books.
- Possibly custom celebrity voices for accessibility.
Leaked Demo:
Voysis’ tech can clone a voice from 3 seconds of audio—raising privacy concerns.
1. iOS 18: The “AI iPhone” Update
- Confirmed AI Features:
- Siri with ChatGPT-like reasoning (but fully on-device).
- AI photo editing (erase objects, expand images).
- Smart Notifications (auto-prioritize texts).
- Rumored:
- “Apple GPT” (competing with Gemini & Copilot).
- AI-generated emojis (custom reactions in Messages).
2. Apple Glasses (2025) – AI-Powered AR
- Real-time translation overlays (WaveOne + DarwinAI).
- Voice-controlled UI (Voysis-powered assistant).
3. Macbook AI Chips – M4’s “Neural Boost”
- 50% faster AI tasks (video rendering, coding assist).
| Feature | Apple (2024) | Google Gemini | Microsoft Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Device AI | ✅ Yes (DarwinAI) | ❌ Mostly cloud | ❌ Cloud |
| Voice AI | ✅ Voysis upgrade | ✅ Gemini Nano | ✅ OpenAI voices |
| Video AI | ✅ WaveOne compression | ❌ Limited | ❌ No |
| Privacy Focus | ✅ Full encryption | ⚠️ Data used for ads | ⚠️ Microsoft logs |
Apple’s Edge: Privacy + hardware integration.
1. Apple is Done Playing Catch-Up
After lagging in AI, Apple is buying, not building, its way to the top.
2. A New Era for Siri
Voysis could make Siri as smart as ChatGPT—but without sending data to the cloud.
3. The Vision Pro’s Secret Weapon
WaveOne’s compression makes high-res AR/VR feasible on Apple’s headset.
**1. Regulatory Scrutiny
Apple’s buying spree might trigger antitrust investigations.
**2. AI Hallucinations On-Device
If Siri gets smarter but makes up facts, will users trust it?
**3. Developer Backlash
Will Apple lock AI features only for iPhones, hurting cross-platform apps?
- WWDC 2024 (June 10): iOS 18’s AI features revealed.
- iPhone 16 Launch (Sept 2024): First phone with “Apple AI” baked in.
- Apple Glasses (2025): AI + AR fusion.
Final Verdict: Is Apple Becoming an AI Leader?
With these acquisitions, Apple is finally serious about AI—but with its usual twist:
✔ Privacy-first (no cloud dependence).
✔ Hardware-optimized (blazing fast on iPhones/Macs).
✔ Silent but strategic (avoiding the hype of Google/MSFT).
The Bottom Line:
2024-2025 will be Apple’s biggest AI leap ever. If they deliver, even OpenAI should be nervous.
What Do You Think?
- Will Apple’s on-device AI beat cloud-based rivals?
- What AI feature do you want most in iOS 18?
