APPLE AIMS FOR SPRING 2026 SIRI AI REVAMP

Apple has set its sights on spring 2026 to roll out a major Siri overhaul, planned for the iOS 26.4 software update.

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Unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2024, the revamped assistant was initially slated to launch with the iPhone 16 but hit repeated snags. The company now targets a smarter Siri that handles complex tasks, taps personal data, and responds to on-screen content, promising a more conversational experience.

Technical challenges caused the delays. Siri’s original framework, built for simple commands like setting timers, didn’t mesh with a new AI system designed for advanced queries. This mix led to frequent errors during testing, prompting engineers to rebuild Siri’s core technology, internally called Siri LLM. Apple's focus on quality, highlighted by software chief Craig Federighi at WWDC25, justified pushing the release nearly two years from its debut.

The spring 2026 goal, likely March or April based on past iOS releases, remains flexible. Apple hasn't confirmed a precise date, only stating the upgrade will arrive within the next year. A preview might emerge with the iPhone 17 in fall 2025 if development stabilizes, but no commitments have been made. The cautious timeline aims to avoid the missteps of past launches, like Apple Maps, which faced criticism for early glitches.

NEW TRICKS FOR SIRI

The revamped Siri will act like a personal assistant, pulling details from emails, calendars, or photos to answer questions or plan tasks. It could check a calendar and suggest a free slot for dinner or answer queries about an email displayed on-screen, reducing the need to explain context. This shift makes Siri more intuitive, capable of handling requests that go beyond basic commands.