Key facts
- Apple has released the iOS 27 public beta, making its AI-powered Siri widely available.
- The new Siri can access on-device information, respond to screen content, and search for answers.
- It is integrated across Apple's ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and more.
- Siri AI utilizes Apple Intelligence and Foundation Models, with collaboration from Google's Gemini.
- User data is protected through Apple's Private Cloud Compute.
Apple is now offering a public beta of its iOS 27 operating system, which includes a significantly revamped AI-powered Siri. This move allows a broad user base to test the new assistant before its official release later this fall. The updated Siri is designed to be more capable, able to access information directly from a user's device, including emails, photos, and messages, and can also interpret and respond to content displayed on the screen.
The integration of AI into Siri aims to make it a more powerful tool, comparable to modern AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. It is deeply embedded within the operating system, accessible through voice commands, a press of the side button, or a swipe down from the Dynamic Island. Siri's capabilities are further enhanced through its integration with Spotlight, Apple's built-in search function.
For the first time, Siri has its own dedicated app, though its deep system-wide integration might make this less necessary for some users. The AI assistant's functionality extends across Apple's product line, including iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.
Under the hood, Siri AI is powered by Apple Intelligence and its new Foundation Models, which run on-device and utilize Private Cloud Compute for data privacy. While Apple collaborated with Google on these models, using Gemini as a basis, they are proprietary and built specifically for Apple Silicon. Private Cloud Compute ensures that personal user data remains private and inaccessible to Apple.
Initial testing of the developer version of Siri AI demonstrated improvements in handling tasks such as locating specific photos, summarizing group texts, adding calendar appointments from messages, and retrieving nutritional information. It also showed enhanced ability to answer general knowledge questions that previously required web searches.
However, early developer versions sometimes encountered errors or confusion. Despite this, the overall stability of the developer betas suggests the public beta is a viable option for users. Apple anticipates the public launch of iOS 27 in September.