Apple Should Retire Siri – Here’s Why
▼ Summary
– Apple Intelligence and Siri improvements have been delayed, with Siri’s personal context features postponed indefinitely due to development challenges.
– Despite being an early voice assistant, Siri is often criticized and lags behind competitors like Google Assistant and Alexa in user satisfaction.
– Google is phasing out Google Assistant across all platforms by 2026, replacing it with the more advanced Gemini assistant.
– Experts suggest rebranding (like Google’s shift to Gemini) is crucial to changing user perception and adoption, rather than incremental updates.
– Gemini offers advanced capabilities like document parsing and contextual assistance, surpassing Google Assistant, while Apple aims for similar AI advancements with a privacy focus.
Apple’s Siri has long struggled to keep pace with competitors, and recent delays in promised upgrades suggest it may be time for a fresh start. Despite being one of the first voice assistants on the market, Siri has become synonymous with frustration for many iPhone users. While Apple recently integrated ChatGPT and unveiled a redesigned interface, core improvements to Siri’s contextual understanding were postponed indefinitely—raising questions about its future.
Google’s decision to retire Google Assistant in favor of Gemini offers a compelling blueprint for Apple. Unlike Siri, Google Assistant was widely regarded as one of the most capable voice assistants available. Yet, Google recognized that rebranding and rebuilding from the ground up was necessary to match modern AI expectations. Gemini’s advanced capabilities—like scanning emails for important details or interpreting visual inputs—far surpass what older assistants could achieve.
Experts argue that simply slapping a “2.0” label on Siri won’t change user perceptions. Chris Harrison of Carnegie Mellon’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute notes that early voice assistants were limited to basic tasks like weather checks and timers, whereas today’s AI can reason and personalize responses. “Siri’s potential never fully materialized,” he says. A complete overhaul, rather than incremental updates, might be the only way to convince users to give Apple’s assistant another chance.
Privacy remains a key differentiator for Apple, which aims to deliver Gemini-like functionality without compromising user data. However, unless Siri undergoes a fundamental transformation—or is replaced entirely—it risks fading into irrelevance. Google’s bold move to sunset Assistant proves that sometimes, starting fresh is the best way forward. For Apple, that moment may have arrived.
(Source: WIRED)
