Apple's keynote at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference was a significant event. After months of delays, Apple reintroduced its AI-upgraded Siri, which goes beyond the existing voice assistant by offering more personalized assistance. The company also showcased numerous updates across operating systems for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Here is a roundup of the biggest announcements.
Siri's Major AI Revamp
Siri is receiving a host of AI features powered by the latest version of Apple Intelligence, developed in collaboration with Google. Apple calls the upgraded voice assistant Siri AI, enabling back-and-forth conversations with detailed and engaging answers, as stated by Apple AI head Mike Rockwell during the keynote. In addition to image editing and writing tools, Siri AI uses onscreen awareness to pull context from what is on your screen to answer questions. Apple is also launching a standalone Siri AI app where users can access conversation history. Siri AI will roll out across Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro.
iOS 27 Adds AI Updates
Apple is adding the ability to access Siri AI by swiping down from the Dynamic Island, where responses will appear. iOS 27 includes a Siri Mode in the Camera app that can recognize objects in the viewfinder and provide information. There is also a new opacity slider for the Liquid Glass design. iOS 27 will be supported by iPhone 11 and later models.
macOS 27 Golden Gate Integrates Siri into Spotlight
Apple is bringing an AI-heavy update to macOS 27 Golden Gate, building Siri into the Spotlight menu. Users can ask questions directly in the search bar and select files to inquire about. Similar to iOS 27, macOS 27 allows adjustment of the Liquid Glass design with a new slider. Apple is also tightening window corner radius and bringing back colorful sidebar icons.
Safari Gets AI Tab Management
Apple showcased new Safari features, including AI-powered tab management that organizes open webpages by topic. A Notify Me feature alerts users to changes on a webpage, such as a product coming back in stock. Safari can automatically update compromised passwords, and users can create extensions by describing them in natural language.
Apple Intelligence Updates Across Apps
In Messages, a new feature suggests photos to share based on conversation context. The Phone app can present relevant information, like flight confirmation codes, when a call starts. Mail offers more capable suggestions and allows adding events to Calendar by describing them. Other upgrades include creating shortcuts with natural language and using Image Playground for AI photo edits, such as changing compositions and enhanced distraction removal.
Apple Home App Supports 4K
The Home app now generates descriptions of camera clips and stitches together footage from different cameras using AI. Users can view recorded clips in 4K resolution on supported cameras and search through clips with natural language.
New Parental Controls and Redesigned Screen Time
Apple is updating its parental control system. Parents with a child account can choose which apps and content their child can access, and require permission before opening a new website. The Screen Time menu has been redesigned to make it easier for parents to manage their children's phone usage.
