One of the basic features of our smartphones, regardless of platform, is the ability to arrange our home screens to our own liking and preference. In the past, iOS has been quite restrictive, but Apple has loosened its reins over time. While it still doesn’t quite compare to Android, iOS today does offer deeper customization and freedom. However, it appears that at one point, Apple engineers pitched the idea of allowing AI to control the iPhone home screen, but Apple exec Craig Federighi put a stop to that .
Apple wanted AI to control your iPhone home screen
This is according to a report from The Information , which took a deeper look into the structure of Apple’s AI organization, which is currently being overseen by Federighi. According to the report, Apple engineers pitched an idea that would allow AI to control the user’s iPhone home screen.
This means that your apps would move around dynamically, presumably based on how frequently you use them or when you use them, or it could even be based on location. In theory, it actually sounds smart. Imagine reaching the train station and the app for your local metro surfaces, letting you check times, platforms, and so on. However, it also sounds like it would be chaotic.
That was one of the reasons Federighi shot down the idea. His belief was that it would disorient users who were used to knowing where their apps are located. He also expressed his concern about how unpredictable AI was. Federighi also had a preference for software being hardwired to act a certain way, rather than relying on algorithms.
Coming on board
The report revealed that Federighi has long been skeptical about AI. However, it seems that the Apple exec had a slight change of heart after using OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022. After using the chatbot, Federighi reportedly told colleagues that he had come to appreciate AI. He eventually tasked his teams with including its use in Apple products.
To date, Apple has tried its hand at AI with Apple Intelligence. However, by all accounts, it has been a flop. During WWDC 2024, Apple overpromised and underdelivered. Now, recent reports claim that Apple has teamed up with Google for a version of Gemini that would power the upcoming revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence.
We also heard a recent rumor that Apple is planning its own AI wearable in the form of a pin . We saw the disaster that was the Humane Pin. So, it will be interesting to see how Apple will make this work.
