The brains behind the upcoming AI-enhanced version of Siri will reportedly be provided by Google, not Apple’s own tech. For a hefty price.
Google’s software will supposedly run on Apple servers, so user data isn’t being handed over to Google.
Apple’s long-delayed AI-powered Siri upgrade remains on track for a 2026 debut, CEO Tim Cook said Thursday. That offers some reassurance to users after multiple setbacks pushed the originally planned 2024 release back by more than a year.
So, what can we expect from a smarter Siri voice assistant when it finally arrives?
OpenAI released its ChatGPT Atlas browser for Mac on Tuesday, making it easy to use the AI chatbot wherever you go online. When using the free browser to visit a website, you can tap into ChatGPT’s knowledge to provide more information about whatever’s on the page.
For example, after searching for a top Airbnb listing in a certain locale, you could ask ChatGPT for best hikes in the area or tell the chatbot to assemble an itinerary for a three-day trip — right within the browser. An agent mode, available to paid ChatGPT users, can go even further.
However, while OpenAI says it built in safeguards to mitigate the dangers of allowing an AI to act for you on logged-in websites, the company admits that using agent mode carries risks. And there’s still the common AI problem of hallucinations.
OpenAI’s efforts to create and sell an “AI companion” device reportedly have serious obstacles to overcome. These are existential, including how the company can find enough computing resources to enable the artificial intelligence devices to function.
That’s good news for Apple, as there have been predictions that products designed specifically for AI might someday take the place of the iPhone and other smartphones.
October 4, 2011: With the unveiling of the iPhone 4s, Apple introduces the world to Siri. A groundbreaking example of artificial intelligence in action, the Siri launch fulfills a long-term dream at Apple.
In fact, the company first predicted such a feature in the 1980s — with Siri’s debut coming at almost the exact month Apple envisioned.
Elon Musk’s xAI filed a lawsuit on Monday against Apple and OpenAI claiming they’re conspiring to stifle competition in artificial intelligence apps.
This comes two weeks after Musk took to social media to complain that the No. 1 Top Free App in the iPhone App Store at the time was OpenAI’s ChatGPT, not the Grok app from xAI, an AI startup that the billionaire owns.
Apple plans an ambitious return to artificial intelligence hardware with a slate of new devices, headlined by a tabletop robot designed to serve as an interactive AI companion, according to a new report. Cult of Mac reported on the “Pixar Lamp” robot and its physical motions before, but new information indicates a new version of Siri could make it surprisingly human-like in its interactions with people.
Apple faces big challenges in its artificial intelligence efforts as another key researcher leaves the company to join Meta’s ambitious superintelligence project, according to a new report Tuesday. The departure marks the fourth AI expert to leave Apple’s foundation models team in just one month, raising questions about the future of Apple Intelligence and the company’s AI strategy.
Apple’s struggle to develop artificial intelligence might reach the point where the iPhone-maker will need to outsource one of its core technologies: Siri. A promised AI upgrade for the voice assistant may be powered by large language models created by Anthropic or OpenAI, not Apple itself, according to an unconfirmed report published Monday.
But this is only a possibility — no decision has been made.
The newly released AI-powered Adobe Firefly mobile app allows users to generate images and videos using text prompts on their iPhone or Android. They can also edit images with the new tool.
The application includes access to a range of AI models, including the most popular ones.
Despite all the criticism, mockery and predictions of doom, the fact that Apple is lagging the pack in artificial intelligence isn’t a catastrophe. The AI boom has barely started, and average consumers remain doubtful about the technology.
More importantly, an Apple executive points out that the company doesn’t need to develop its own cutting-edge AI to benefit from the research done by other companies.
The release date for the AI-enhanced version of the Siri voice assistant will likely come in spring 2026, according to information leaking out of Apple. That’s nine months from now, and a year after it was first expected.
The long delay in the launch of smarter Siri was a significant black eye for Apple, clearly demonstrating that it wasn’t keeping up with rivals in AI research.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software development, finally gave more details on why the AI-enhanced new Siri version got delayed for so very long. He explains why Apple thought it could deliver the new feature this year, but eventually had to push back the launch until possibly 2026.
The intent seems to be to show that Apple was being overly optimistic, not deceptive, when it said at WWDC24 the new Siri version would be out within a year.
The highlight of Apple’s recent AI efforts is Live Translation, but that’s not the only new Apple Intelligence feature unveiled at WWDC on Monday. There are also improvements to visual intelligence and Image Playground. Plus, third-party app developers can access Apple’s AI models for free.
But the keynote address kicking off the Mac maker’s developers conference was short on big AI-related announcements when compared to what’s coming out of OpenAI or Google. Still, the company did what it could.
“Last year, we took the first steps on a journey to bring users intelligence that’s helpful, relevant, easy to use, and right where users need it, all while protecting their privacy. Now, the models that power Apple Intelligence are becoming more capable and efficient, and we’re integrating features in even more places across each of our operating systems,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
Apple plans to devote a considerable portion of WWDC25 to talking about its AI strategy, according to a reliable source. That’s something of a surprise, as the iPhone maker has no big AI-related announcements to make at the developer conference.
Siri and Apple Intelligence will even get a rebrand, according to this source.
In an OpenAI meeting Wednesday, CEO Sam Altman revealed ambitious plans to develop AI-powered devices in partnership with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, targeting the release of 100 million “AI companion” devices that could reshape how users interact with artificial intelligence, according to a new report.
Altman described it to employees as a “chance to do the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a company.” OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s io startup is the company’s boldest hardware venture yet, potentially creating the first major alternative to smartphone and computer dominance.
And on Thursday, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo weighed in with possible details about OpenAI’s wearable device.
Gemini Live gets better on the iPhone, with Google rolling out free camera and screen sharing support to all users.
The feature allows you to feed a live stream of your surroundings using the iPhone’s camera, and interact with Gemini to get more information about it.
Some Apple executives reportedly think the AI-powered chatbot the company developed in-house is comparable to recent ChatGPT versions. And there’s internal pressure to connect the Siri voice assistant to it.
If true, this shows that while Apple isn’t at the forefront of AI, neither is it languishing at the back of the pack.
iPad users no longer have to depend on an iPhone application to access Google’s Gemini AI-powered chatbot. Software designed specifically for iPad users launched Wednesday.
This comes after Google recently introduced home screen widgets to give iPhone and iPad users easier access to Gemini.
Before too much longer, doing a search in the Safari web browser might bring up AI-powered results rather than the standard Google search engine, according to Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services.
Cue points out that this is Apple following a trend, as the company sees Safari users increasingly turning to AIs in place of traditional search engines.
The new Maono DM40 Pro Wireless Gaming Microphone brings professional-grade audio quality and cool features like AI voice effects, the company said Tuesday. Also sporting Apple-esque design sensibilities, the new mic looks like a great companion for your Mac gaming and streaming setup. And you can get 10% off right now, too.
A cutting-edge pair of AI sports glasses feature innovative audio technology from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday. The new BleeqUp Ranger glasses, developed by Chinese startup BleeqUp, represents the first commercial use of a xMEMS solid state microtweeter in AI eyewear — but likely not the only one.
“xMEMS is proud to help power the next generation of AI wearables,” said Steven Bentley, VP of worldwide sales at xMEMS Labs. “The integration of Cowell into BleeqUp’s glasses not only showcases the high-fidelity performance of our MEMS speakers. We’re excited to help more companies accelerate their path to market with compact, high-performance audio solutions for AI glasses.”
Perhaps that, or the upcoming uses of xMEMS Labs’ Sycamore microspeaker, could signal a new direction for Apple if it revives its smart glasses project.
Apple may take a significant leap forward in its health initiatives within about a year, completely revamping its Health app and adding an Apple AI health coach, according to a new report.
With more resources trained on the goal, called Project Mulberry, the iPhone giant gets closer to delivering on CEO Tim Cook’s vision that Apple’s greatest contribution to society will be in health care.
Apple might push back the launch of a new AI-powered version of Siri after running into unexpected problems during development.
Rather than releasing the upgraded voice assistant in April, Apple might delay the smarter Siri several months or more. Some reports suggest that Apple is adjusting its broader AI strategy, which could also impact other anticipated releases, such as spring loading Mac updates. Read more about the latest developments here.
In the meantime, users looking for a Siri picture of how the AI assistant is evolving can check out the latest updates on its development here.
New open-ear wireless earbuds called HumanPods unveiled at CES 2025 offer voice access to different artificial intelligence personas with a tap, according to startup Natura Umana.
The new earphones, which also play music, of course, promise to deliver what the company calls “the closest experience to a telepathic connection with your technology” by offering direct access to AI assistance through simple touch controls. The company’s CEO provides a little video demo below (complete with a few bugs).