Apple has plans to launch an AI app store

• Apple is poised to significantly enhance its smartphone AI capabilities with the launch of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024. This development is expected to introduce new AI features and the integration of AI technologies from companies like Google into the iPhone ecosystem.
• An innovative AI app store is reportedly in the works for a June launch, coinciding with Apple’s regular WWDC timeline. This initiative, highlighted by Ben Reitzes of Melius Research, signifies Apple’s ongoing commitment to not only catch up in the AI race but to redefine its ecosystem with AI-driven applications, potentially revitalizing its service offerings similar to how iTunes transformed music distribution.
• The concept of an AI-specific App Store, while not entirely new, underscores Apple’s ambition to lead in the AI domain. Discussions with major players such as Google and Baidu suggest a collaborative effort to populate this platform with diverse AI services, including the potential upgrade of Siri, which could significantly impact Apple’s approach to AI and services revenue.

The conversation around Apple’s advancements in smartphone AI has been relatively quiet, but this is anticipated to shift dramatically with the introduction of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 — Apple’s yearly gathering for developers. The tech giant is rumored to unveil new AI capabilities within the upcoming iOS iteration, and discussions are reportedly underway with several companies, Google included, to integrate their AI technologies into the iPhone ecosystem.

Apple’s AI app store ambitions

Furthermore, recent insights hint at Apple’s plans to launch an innovative AI app store this June, aligning with its customary schedule for the WWDC event. In a discussion with CNBC, Ben Reitzes, the lead technology analyst at Melius Research, remarked that Apple’s position in the AI domain is not as delayed as some might think.

“I think you have to go back in time and realize this company has a history of convincing a lot of leaders to make apps or do something with them while they perfect the ecosystem for which it’s consumed,” Reitzes explained.

Apple has plants to launch an AI app store (Image credit)

He highlighted Steve Jobs’ strategy of persuading music industry executives with a proposal that eventually revolutionized music distribution through iTunes, pricing songs at a dollar each, thereby revitalizing the music sector.

Reitzes suggested that June might mark the beginning of Apple’s efforts to establish a novel app store dedicated to AI, outlining how it will facilitate the acquisition of AI-powered applications.

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“I’m sure Apple will have their own apps. As usual, an AI assistant. Hopefully, they will upgrade Siri, which is probably needed. And then we’ll start to see how this could flow through to the services line,” Reitzes said.

The idea of an AI-centric App Store isn’t a fresh revelation. Various analysts have previously proposed such a concept, indicating that Apple might explore this during internal discussions at WWDC. It’s rumored that conversations have occurred between Apple and tech giants like Google and Baidu regarding the inclusion of their AI services in this envisioned platform.

Apple has plants to launch an AI app store (Image credit)

Google’s Gemini AI, which is currently accessible via a standard app, could seamlessly transition to this specialized AI marketplace. As WWDC is expected in early June, anticipation builds on whether Apple will introduce this innovative AI strategy.

Featured image credit: Rob Hampson/Unsplash