• Source:JND

Apple’s long-promised generative AI upgrade for Siri could finally be nearing public release. First teased more than a year and a half ago, the next-generation Siri has faced repeated delays due to deep engineering challenges. Now, fresh reports suggest Apple’s overhaul is back on track and may arrive within the next few months as part of iOS 26.4.

If accurate, this would mark Siri’s biggest transformation since its debut.

What Apple Promised at WWDC 2024

During WWDC 2024, Apple announced three major features coming to Siri as part of ‘Apple Intelligence’.

The first is personal context. Siri will also be able to provide an overview of information on your device, like emails, notes, messages and files — so you don’t have to play back a game of memory to remember what goes where.

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The second improvement relates to on-screen awareness. It will be Siri recognising what's on screen and responding. For instance, people can enquire about what they are consuming without resupplying all of the details.

The third feature is about what can be done inside applications. Siri will be able to do things directly within apps, like editing a document, sending a message or scheduling a meeting without moving users out of their app to open another.

These are all aimed at making Siri much more conversational, responsive and helpful.

Why the Update Was Delayed

These features were originally expected with iOS 18.4. However, Apple reportedly ran into serious limitations with Siri’s legacy architecture. Instead of patching the system, Apple chose to rebuild Siri using a new large language model-based framework.

This decision reportedly pushed the rollout back significantly but allowed Apple to redesign Siri for long-term AI capabilities rather than short-term fixes.

Google Gemini May Play a Role

Curiously enough, it’s also reported that Apple is testing Google Gemini AI models for components of Siri’s new intelligence layer. If activated, your requests will be sent through Apple's “Private Cloud Compute” service so that your information is not shared with Google and stays safe on the device.

The hybrid approach would let Apple balance performance and privacy, a cornerstone of its AI strategy.

iOS 26.4 Could Be the Turning Point

According to Macworld journalist Filipe Esposito, Apple’s internal code now points to iOS 26.4 as the release target for Siri’s major AI upgrade. Based on Apple’s past release patterns, this places the launch window around March or April 2026, with developer beta builds possibly arriving next month.

Apple Also Working on an AI Search Engine

Beyond Siri, Apple is reportedly developing a generative AI search tool internally known as World Knowledge Answers. This system is designed to compete with services like Perplexity and ChatGPT.

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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says this AI search feature could debut alongside the new Siri and may later integrate into Safari and Spotlight search, potentially reshaping how users search for information on Apple devices.

What This Means for Users

If Apple fulfils their promises, this means Siri might actually be able to transition from a simple voice interpreter into an intelligent assistant that processes context and screens for intent. Critics have questioned Siri’s performance compared with rivals like Google Assistant and ChatGPT for years, but iOS 26.4 could be Apple’s return to the AI competition it once led.

For now, all eyes are on Apple’s next developer beta cycle. If reports hold true, the Siri users have been waiting for might finally be just months away.


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