Apple released the public beta version of iOS 27 this Tuesday, allowing regular users to access the revamped Siri with artificial intelligence (AI) features. Previously, this functionality was restricted only to developers. The final release of iOS 27 is scheduled for September.
Considering there are approximately 2.5 billion active devices globally, Apple views this as the largest test conducted so far with the redesigned Siri, even if only a small portion of users install the beta version. This advancement was formally presented during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.
The new assistant version now has the ability to access data stored on the user's device, including emails, photos, and messages. It can also formulate responses based on content visible on the screen and use general knowledge to answer questions, comparable to chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
Siri's activation methods have been expanded: besides traditional voice commands, such as 'Hey Siri,' or using the side button, it can now be triggered by swiping the screen from the Dynamic Island, the dark bar located at the top of the iPhone. Additionally, Siri has been integrated into Spotlight, the iPhone's native search tool, enabling the assistant to answer almost all questions asked through it.
In a significant change, Siri received a dedicated and autonomous application. However, journalist Sarah Perez from TechCrunch commented after testing the developer version that, given that the assistant is already deeply integrated into the iPhone ecosystem, having a separate app might not be strictly necessary in practice.
The enhanced assistant is accessible not only on the iPhone but also on devices such as iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, Apple TV, and Vision Pro. The foundation of the new Siri lies in Apple Intelligence, which encompasses Apple's Foundation Models. These models operate directly on the device and utilize the company's Private Cloud Compute.
These models were created in partnership with Google and its Gemini model, but it is not a simple renaming of Gemini. According to Apple, the models were developed specifically for Apple Silicon, using proprietary data and undergoing a process called Gemini distillation. This technique uses Gemini to generate smaller and more efficient models, which are integrated into iOS and other Apple software. Private Cloud Compute ensures that users' personal data is neither stored nor accessed by Apple.
During tests conducted with the developer version, Siri demonstrated improvements in various tasks, such as finding specific images in the gallery, summarizing group conversations, scheduling appointments received via message in the calendar, and identifying nutritional information of items photographed by the camera. The assistant also performed better when answering questions that would normally require an internet search, such as local event dates or recent news.
However, isolated errors were recorded during the tests. In one reported incident, when asked about the latest news regarding Iran, Siri searched the user's contacts for someone with that name.
This year's developer beta versions were considered relatively stable, making the recommendation for the public beta easier compared to previous years. Nevertheless, installing any beta version requires caution: those who require flawless device operation should wait for the official release of iOS 27, scheduled for September.
Apple has released an emergency security update for iPhone and iPad devices, designated as iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2. The global rollout of this fix began last Monday, the 29th.
This measure covers devices from the iPhone 11 model and newer iPad versions. The decision was motivated by the increasing number of cyber threats linked to the use of artificial intelligence by malicious actors. Therefore, the company has started providing fixes to reduce the vulnerability period to potential attacks.
According to the company, this update package incorporates adjustments in crucial parts of the system, aiming to strengthen data protection and prevent the exploitation of flaws that have not yet been used in confirmed attacks.
The update corrects issues in central elements of the operating system, including the system kernel, navigation mechanisms, and libraries responsible for processing web content. These areas are considered sensitive as they are directly involved in code execution and application interaction.
Among the addressed vulnerabilities are flaws that could cause unexpected system shutdowns, incorrect modifications to kernel memory, and risks of exposing private user information. Apple warned that these weaknesses could be exploited through fraudulent pages.
Even without records of active exploitation, the company advises users to install the update as soon as possible. The purpose is to minimize the chance of attacks that utilize clipboard access or content processing outside secure environments.
To perform the installation, it is necessary to connect the device to a Wi-Fi network, ensure it has sufficient battery, and access the Settings menu. Subsequently, the user must navigate to General, select Software Update, and start downloading iOS 26.5.2 once it is available.
The update's compatibility extends to the iPhone 11 and subsequent models, as well as current generation 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, iPad Air starting from the third generation, 8th generation iPad, and iPad mini starting from the fifth generation.
