iOS 27 may resolve a significant issue with the Shortcuts app, and I'm looking forward to it.

      Digital Trends may receive a commission when purchases are made through links on our site. Why trust us?

      "Hey Siri, can you create a shortcut that takes a picture of my food, logs its nutritional content, and reminds me to burn calories after six hours? Please?"

      For a long time, the Shortcuts app on the iPhone has been one of the more frustrating aspects of the user experience. While it is an incredibly powerful tool for automation and executing multi-step tasks quickly, the shortcut creation process has often been convoluted and a test of patience.

      It seems Apple has finally heard iPhone users' concerns and plans to conduct a significant overhaul of the Shortcuts app with the release of iOS 2027. According to Bloomberg, Apple will allow users to describe the specific shortcut they desire in natural language, which the AI will then create for them.

      What’s changing?

      “The version currently in testing enables users to create shortcuts just by stating their intended actions. At present, users must manually construct shortcuts within the app or download them from Apple’s gallery,” states the Bloomberg report. “The system subsequently auto-generates and installs the shortcut on the device.”

      Currently, when you access the Shortcuts app, it's a labyrinth of functions, commands, and app integrations that are obscured behind complex instructions, even though many work seamlessly with Apple’s pre-installed apps. However, challenges arise when creating a shortcut that involves a third-party app.

      Yet, it's not just the limitations with third-party apps that can be frustrating. The entire user flow is quite intricate for an average person trying to navigate the app and create automation. With iOS 27, it looks like Apple will finally enable users to simply wish a shortcut into existence, as long as they understand the command flow and the desired outcome.

      It’s not revolutionary.

      It's encouraging that Apple is finally addressing the issues with the Shortcuts app and responding to a significant pain point. However, this isn't their first attempt in this area. Following the introduction of Apple intelligence on iPhones, Apple also incorporated AI automations into the Shortcuts App. Currently, users can choose between a local on-device model or an AI model hosted on Apple’s private cloud. Unfortunately, these AI capabilities remain somewhat limited, and integrating them into a new shortcut can still be a cumbersome process.

      This will not be the first endeavor of its kind. For example, Anthropic’s Claude AI can create artifacts or even entire apps just by you describing them. Similarly, natural language conversations can be utilized to develop custom GPTs for ChatGPT or even intricate skills for Google’s Gemini AI. It appears Apple is drawing inspiration from these competing AI chatbots and is finally allowing users to create multi-step Shortcuts by merely describing them in natural language.

      Nadeem is the Managing Editor at Digital Trends.

      Apple is selling you flawed chips, and you’re unknowingly purchasing them.

      Apple's budget devices have an intriguing feature that is surprisingly clever. The company offers chips that didn't completely meet quality standards. The amusing part is that you probably haven’t even noticed. A new report from the Wall Street Journal indicates that Apple has developed a robust business utilizing processors with minor defects or lower-performing components in its less expensive products. A prime example is the new $599 MacBook Neo, which employs Apple’s A18 Pro chip but with a 5-core graphics processor, instead of the one featuring an additional GPU core used in the iPhone 16 Pro models.

      Apple’s iOS 27 may introduce AI writing tools, a smarter Siri, and personalized wallpapers.

      Apple is gearing up for a substantial enhancement of its AI features for iPhones and iPads with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, as per a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The update is anticipated to deliver AI-powered writing support, natural-language app shortcuts, enhanced Siri integrations, and even AI-generated wallpapers as Apple seeks to compete with rivals like Google and Samsung in consumer AI features. These forthcoming features are expected to be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, ahead of a public launch later this year.

      Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 could finally rectify the most significant issue with foldables.

      The Galaxy Z Fold 8 might finally tackle the long-standing battery life issue that has persisted with Samsung's foldable devices, despite their leading position in polish and software. According to a leak from Greek publication TechManiacs, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may feature a larger 5,000mAh battery, a significant upgrade from the 4,400mAh battery in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. If true, this would represent one of the most substantial hardware improvements in Samsung’s book-style foldable lineup in recent years.