Apple has recently shared new advancements in developing learned image compression codecs. This research focuses on making AI-based image compression models more practical for mobile devices.
Developments
Unlike traditional compression standards like JPEG, AI codecs can be directly optimized to match the human visual system. Apple surveyed model design choices to achieve a balance between high compression ratios and fast decompression speeds (runtime).
Why it matters
For iPhone users, this technology promises to significantly save storage space without degrading image quality. The optimization for 'runtime' suggests that Apple is preparing to integrate this directly into Apple Silicon chips in the future.