Siri’s Overhaul Hits Repeated Roadblocks at Apple
▼ Summary
– Apple has delayed major Siri upgrades planned for iOS 26.4, moving them to later versions like iOS 26.5 and iOS 27 due to testing problems.
– The delayed features would have allowed Siri to understand personal context and act based on on-screen content.
– For iOS 26.5, Apple is testing a web search tool similar to Perplexity and custom image generation capabilities.
– Apple is also developing an AI chatbot version of Siri, planned for launch with iOS 27 and other operating systems in the fall.
– The company reportedly aims to reveal this AI Siri chatbot at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Plans for a significant upgrade to Apple’s voice assistant have encountered further delays, pushing key features into later software releases. According to a recent report, the company has shifted its timeline for introducing advanced Siri capabilities, moving them from the upcoming iOS 26.4 update to subsequent versions like iOS 26.5 and the major iOS 27 release.
The overhaul, which aims to make Siri more contextually aware and proactive, was originally slated for iOS 26.4 this March. However, internal testing reportedly revealed new technical problems, forcing a postponement. Engineers have now been instructed to focus their efforts on preparing these features for the iOS 26.5 update expected in May. This delay marks another setback for Apple’s ambitions to revitalize its assistant, which has faced criticism for lagging behind competitors.
Beyond the core intelligence upgrades, Apple is also experimenting with additional tools for Siri. Testing is underway for a new web search function that operates similarly to services like Perplexity, as well as a custom image generation feature. These elements have been part of the evaluation process for iOS 26.4 but are now also being assessed for the later 26.5 release.
Looking further ahead, a more substantial transformation is in the works. Apple is developing a full-fledged AI chatbot version of Siri, targeted for a debut with iOS 27, iPadOS, and macOS 27 later this year. The current strategy involves unveiling this next-generation assistant at June’s Worldwide Developers Conference, setting the stage for a public launch in September. This move represents Apple’s most direct response yet to the rapid advancements in conversational AI from other tech giants.
(Source: The Verge)
