Apple announces AI upgrades to Shortcuts, Home and Photos apps during WWDC26
Apple has unveiled a series of artificial intelligence-based updates for its native apps. The changes were announced this Monday during the opening keynote of WWDC26. The features arrive with 27 systems, which include iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.
Users will be able to create automations more simply in the Shortcuts app. The tool now uses Apple Intelligence to generate complete shortcuts from natural language descriptions. This capability also extends to subsequent adjustments to existing automations.
Shortcuts now creates automations by text description
The process makes the app easier to use for those who do not master manual editing of flows. Simply describe the desired action on the iPhone, iPad or Mac. The system interprets the request and assembles the sequence of commands. This integration represents a significant advance in the accessibility of the resource.
On the same topic: Apple updates Image Playground and increases the quality of AI-generated images
Many users reported difficulty configuring complex shortcuts. The new approach should expand the tool’s reach within the Apple ecosystem.
Learn more: Automatically reset mobile data usage on iPhone using in-app automation Step-by-step Shortcuts
App Casa organizes alerts and analyzes security videos
The Home app has received improvements that make it smarter on a daily basis. It now groups related notifications into a Live Activity, which updates as events happen. This avoids bombardment of isolated alerts.
Cameras compatible with 4K resolution are now supported. The app also generates automatic analyzes of recorded videos. The user receives a summary of what happened without having to watch the complete material.
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- Smart grouping of alerts in Live Activity
- Content analysis of security camera recordings
- 4K video support for compatible devices
- Search for specific events within recordings
- Correlation between similar videos for multiple results
These functions make home monitoring easier. Apple has highlighted privacy in local processing whenever possible.
Image Playground gets a complete redesign and more styles
The Image Playground app, heavily criticized since its launch, has undergone a major redesign. Now it enhances existing images, creates contact wallpapers and posters. The AI model received an update that allows generation in different styles with greater precision.
Users can refine results with additional prompts. The tool expands creative options within the ecosystem without leaving native apps.
Photos get Extend and Reframe for advanced editing
The Photos app has incorporated new AI-powered editing tools. The Extend function generates additional content at the edges of the image. Reframe automatically adjusts zoom and angle, simulating a new capture.
These options complement previous cleaning and editing features. Processing prioritizes privacy, with preferential execution on the device.
Learn more: Apple improves Image Playground with visual boost in AI models
The news reinforces Apple’s focus on integrating artificial intelligence in a practical way. They will arrive gradually with the public launch of 27 systems in 2026. Developers will have access to APIs to extend these capabilities into other applications.
Technical sheet of main updates
- Shortcuts: creation and editing via natural language prompts
- Home: Live Activities, video analysis and 4K support
- Image Playground: generation in multiple styles, posters and wallpapers
- Photos: Extend and Reframe tools for expansion and repositioning
Features depend on devices supporting Apple Intelligence. The company did not detail the exact list of supported models during the initial presentation. Users should check compatibility over the next few betas.
