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.
Scope of Testing and Announcement
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.
Updates to Siri
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.
Availability and Internal Functioning
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.
Performance and Tests
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.
Installation Recommendation
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.