Apple's artificial intelligence offensive has begun. TuesdayCruisnexoticaReleased by AppleCruisnexoticaThe latest iPad pro with the new M4 processor. The chip provides many improvements for iPad Pro, including faster CPU and newer graphics processing units.
But what is most striking is Apple's focus on M4 artificial intelligence. Apple has been using its neural engine in processors since 2017 and has talked for some time about how it can help power many functions of iPhone, iPad and Mac.
But the release of M4 is different. It is the appetizer of artificial intelligence that Apple will unveil at its WWDC conference in June. Apple is widely expected to launch a series of generative artificial intelligence software features for its various devices.
M4 and AI
Apple pointed out some of the advantages of M4 in artificial intelligence in its keynote speech. Tim Miller, vice president of platform architecture, specifically pointed out that the chip can operate 34 trillion times per second. This is a measure often used to describe the artificial intelligence performance of chips.
Miller also said that the M4's neural engine is more powerful than any neural processing unit on any artificial intelligence PC. This is a direct attack on Intel, AMD and Qualcomm, which are preparing or have launched their own artificial intelligence PC chips designed to run large language models on Windows laptops and desktops.
Apart from the basis of M4's artificial intelligence processing, Apple has kept quiet about any substantive discussion of artificial intelligence software updates. Of course, Miller said, M4 can help iPad Pro quickly separate the subject from the background in 4K video, but the iPad Air with m2 can do the same thing, but at a slower speed. All the company offers is that M4 will make AI applications and functions run faster and smoother.
The company also does not provide information on the performance of the M4 when training or running large language models, which Intel, Qualcomm and AMD often use as indicators of their chip advantage.
However, it is important that Apple let consumers and Wall Street see its artificial intelligence thinking in advance.
It is widely believed that Apple is lagging behind the times in the artificial intelligence competition, and investors are betting heavily on Apple's global developer conference, which will be Apple's big artificial intelligence debut party.
Apart from the basis of M4's artificial intelligence processing, Apple has kept quiet about any substantive discussion of artificial intelligence software updates. Of course, Xiaomi said that M4 can help iPad Pro quickly separate the subject from the background in 4K video, but the iPad Air with m2 can do the same thing, but at a slower speed. All the company offers is that M4 will make AI applications and functions run faster and smoother.
CEO Tim Cook has been talking about artificial intelligence over the past few months and said in the company's recent earnings call that Apple is investing heavily in the technology.
This includes the acquisition of smaller AI companies, and Apple has also held talks with OpenAI and Google to discuss using their large language models to enhance Apple's AI experience, according to Mark Gurman.
Analysts expect Apple's generative artificial intelligence products to be a catalyst to help boost iPhone sales at a time when consumers' phones are getting longer and generations of distinctive and eye-catching new features are in short supply.
For now, Apple only needs to achieve that goal.