Apple's secretive delays in Siri's updates could be hinting at broader AI aspirations lurking in the background

Apple's secretive delays in Siri's updates could be hinting at broader AI aspirations lurking in the background

Apple is preparing for a significant overhaul of its Siri and App Intents system, set to launch in spring 2026. This upgrade promises to revolutionise the way users interact with their devices, allowing them to operate third-party apps entirely via voice commands through Siri[1][2][3].

The revamped App Intents system will empower Siri to take on complex actions on users' behalf, such as searching, editing, and sharing photos; posting comments in social apps; or logging into services, all by voice[1][4]. This transformation is crucial for enhancing Siri's utility as a central digital assistant and is expected to play a key role in making Apple's Home Hub and other smart home hardware more effective by enabling hands-free control across many apps[4].

Apple is actively testing this system with popular apps including Uber, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and AllTrails to ensure a wide adoption and smooth experience[1][5]. The enhanced App Intents framework provides developers new ways to expose parts of their apps to users via voice, Shortcuts, and search, potentially increasing user engagement while expanding Siri’s functionality with third-party software[1].

The new Siri will be significantly more intelligent and integrated, capable of handling broader and more nuanced user requests by interacting deeply with third-party apps through App Intents[1][4]. This overhaul is intended to form the backbone for future hardware, including a planned smart display and even a tabletop robot[3].

However, the delays in perfecting the App Intents have already pushed the smart display's debut back by a year[6]. Apple is cautiously rolling out the revamped Siri App Intents system due to the risks and potential of creating a new voice-first interface for its ecosystem[7]. Early trials are limited to select apps such as Uber, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Apple's own software. Stricter rules or outright exclusions apply for sensitive categories like banking and health[8].

With this major upgrade, Apple is fulfilling the hands-free vision it touted when it launched Siri nearly 15 years ago[9]. Users could locate, edit, send photos, comment on social media, shop online, or log into services without touching a screen using the revamped App Intents system[10][11]. The aim is for a spring release alongside a wider Siri infrastructure overhaul[12][13].

Sources:

1. Apple’s Siri to get major upgrade, allowing voice control of third-party apps
2. Apple to overhaul Siri and App Intents for voice-first future
3. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
4. Apple to overhaul Siri and App Intents for voice-first future
5. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
6. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
7. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
8. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
9. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
10. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
11. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
12. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
13. Apple's Siri to get major upgrade, allowing users to operate third-party apps entirely by voice
14. The revamped App Intents system will enable Siri to manage a variety of tasks in different sectors, such as booking a ride with Uber or buying items on Amazon, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence and technology.
15. With the upgrade, health and fitness apps like WhatsApp or AllTrails can be controlled through voice commands, allowing users to share their tracking data or post updates about their activities without needing a physical interface.

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