iOS 27: Siri in Beta to Catch Up on Technological Lag

⚡

Key Takeaways

1Apple is preparing a redesign of Siri with iOS 27, marked by a beta launch to test new features.

2The development of Siri has been delayed by two years, postponing the integration of a more conversational AI initially planned for 2024.

3The competition, with tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, has already made strides in the voice assistant market.

💡Why it matters — Apple is trying to catch up in AI while maintaining its reputation for privacy, in the face of already established competition.

A Major Overhaul of Siri with iOS 27

Apple is set to undertake a significant transformation of Siri with the launch of iOS 27. This update could be one of the most important in years, despite several delays. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, some internal test versions of iOS 27 already mention this new Siri as an experimental version. One option would even allow users to disable this test mode, providing flexibility in the use of the voice assistant.

A Return to Siri's Beginnings

This situation strongly echoes the early days of Siri in 2011, when the voice assistant was also offered in beta. This mention quietly disappeared in 2013, but that did not stop critics from pointing out Siri's limitations compared to its competitors. For years, Siri has suffered from sometimes limited understanding, strange responses, and unnatural conversations. The work surrounding artificial intelligence at Apple is taking longer than expected, delaying the arrival of this new generation of Siri that was initially set to launch in 2024 as part of the Apple Intelligence project.

Goals for the New Version of Siri

Apple aims to transform Siri into a much more conversational assistant. The goal is to enable smoother exchanges, with better contextual memory and deeper integration with applications. The Cupertino company is also working on developing a standalone Siri app, exchanges in the form of messages similar to instant messaging, as well as integration with Dynamic Island on certain compatible iPhones. These improvements aim to provide a more consistent and intuitive user experience.

Competition is Advancing Rapidly

While Siri continues its long fitness regimen, the competition has not waited. Tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT have already taken a significant place in the market. Android-based assistants now offer advanced conversational features, well integrated into users' daily lives. This technological lead puts pressure on Apple to catch up and offer competitive features.

Beta Launch Strategy

Apple's choice to launch Siri in beta with iOS 27 could prove strategic. By releasing Siri under this label, the company can continue to improve its assistant publicly after its release, while managing expectations regarding bugs or incomplete features. This would also allow for the quicker deployment of certain new features without waiting for a version deemed fully finalized. This approach contrasts with that of several competitors in the industry, who quickly release their innovations and then evolve based on user feedback.

Apple generally favors a more cautious approach, emphasizing privacy as a central element of its AI. Several reports indicate that Siri could incorporate more advanced controls regarding conversation history, with options for automatic deletion. In any case, Apple is expected to present more information about this new version of Siri at the upcoming WWDC next month. The first beta versions of iOS 27 should then allow developers to more concretely explore this new experience.