Report: New Siri not in iOS 26.4 after all?
Since summer 2024, users have been waiting for Apple to finally make its voice assistant smarter. Now, there could be further delays, it is said.
Siri on an iPhone: Technology is outdated, users are often annoyed.
(Image: Wachiwit / Shutterstock)
Following yesterday's introduction of iOS 26.3 and Co., there is also new information regarding when Apple's long-awaited, context-sensitive Siri will arrive. Until now, it had always been expected that it would be ready with iOS 26.4 in March or April, but according to a Bloomberg report from Wednesday evening, Apple is currently experiencing internal “difficulties” that are causing further delays.
iOS 26.5 or even iOS 27 with new Siri?
Informed sources indicated that Apple is now working to distribute new features across “future versions.” This means that at least “some features” will only be introduced with iOS 26.5 in May or even with iOS 27 in the fall. For iOS 27, the industry had actually expected Apple's first chatbot, based on Google's Gemini language model.
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Apple had already announced the improved Siri in June 2024, but then postponed it multiple times because it allegedly did not meet internal quality standards. Finally, Apple announced that it would also use Google Gemini in the future instead of its own foundational models, becoming the “preferred cloud partner.”
Features still not reliable
Among the new features that Siri is supposed to master for a long time is access to local data and working with it – for example, finding appointments in chats or intelligent reminders. Furthermore, apps should be controllable “precisely” – thanks to new interfaces, but also by recognizing screen content. However, tests have now shown “fresh problems with the software.” In fact, there were corresponding reports in the fall, but at that time it was not yet known that Apple would receive Gemini support. Errors include that requests are not always processed correctly and it takes too long to answer them. Apple uses a combination of its own foundational models and Google Gemini, it was said. The platform is new and internally called “Linwood.”
The situation regarding Siri is still “fluid,” and Apple could change its mind again if the situation changes. Internally, however, engineers were informed to use the internal preview version of iOS 26.5 to test the new Siri features. One of the biggest problem areas is reportedly access to user data. Working with apps via App Intents is also allegedly causing difficulties. These apparently still do not run smoothly in iOS 26.5. In some cases, the system still refers to ChatGPT instead of relying on Apple's technology – which is not appropriate here, as ChatGPT does not have internal access. Further, as yet unknown features of the new Siri, according to Bloomberg, include a novel AI web search and an improved image generator, but the latter is also not yet working as Apple envisions.
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