Apple is set to significantly broaden its Apple Intelligence capabilities, introducing support for numerous languages including Vietnamese, with the upcoming release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. CEO Tim Cook announced this expansion during the company’s financial report for the fourth quarter of 2024, indicative of Apple's continued efforts to make technology more accessible to diverse global audiences.
Initially launched with English support only, Apple Intelligence is programmed to provide users with sophisticated artificial intelligence features. The forthcoming updates, scheduled for April, will add languages such as French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese, alongside localized versions of English for markets like Singapore and India. Notably, the inclusion of Vietnamese marks a pivotal advance, granting users in Vietnam the ability to engage with the assistant using their native language.
According to the latest insights, Tim Cook stated, "Starting this April, we will expand Apple Intelligence's language options to include numerous new languages for our global user base." Though he specified eight languages during the earnings call, Apple's support page hinted at Vietnamese’s inclusion, fueling anticipation among Vietnamese users for personalized experiences.
The updates are part of iOS 18.4 and will not only add language support but are expected to improve Siri’s integration with Apple Intelligence. This enhanced integration allows Siri to comprehend users more effectively, adaptively learning from user interactions, remembering preferences, and providing data-driven responses, thereby offering more high-quality and personalized assistance.
Currently, Apple Intelligence is available only to users in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa, requiring devices to run iOS or iPadOS version 18.2 or later. Following the release of iOS 18, Apple announced plans to expand its features across the European Union’s 27-member countries, especially responding to adjustments arising from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Despite initial delays linked to compliance with the EU regulations, Apple had previously released MacBook models with Apple Intelligence capability across the EU. Upcoming updates are intended to rectify the delayed rollout, aiming for compliance and functionality aligned with European standards.
Further developments from the Cupertino company include future language expansions slated for 2025. While the recent financial report did not explicitly mention Vietnamese among the April updates, the anticipated availability of Vietnamese language support for Siri would empower users to control devices and smart home systems directly through their native language, enhancing the overall user experience.
Apple’s foray with Apple Intelligence was first introduced at the WWDC 2024 event on June 10, 2024. This innovative personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac boasts capabilities such as automatic notification recognition, email summarization, text rewriting, and object removal from images. Tim Cook highlighted the release as "a new chapter for Apple," promising to fundamentally transform how users interact with their devices.
With Apple aiming to democratize access to smart technology through AI advancements, the planned rollout of multilingual support, especially for Vietnamese speakers, signifies their commitment to inclusivity and user engagement across cultural borders.
This latest development not only marks significant strides for Apple as it navigates the increasingly competitive AI space but also highlights the company’s dedication to creating personalized experiences for their global audience, reshaping how tech enthusiasts interact with their devices through natural language.