Apple is preparing a significant upgrade for Siri, with the unveiling of iOS 19 expected at WWDC 2025. However, recent reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveal that many of the groundbreaking features slated for iOS 19 have already been postponed to a later update, iOS 19.4, scheduled for spring 2026. This delay shows that the tech giant is focused on getting its generative AI technology just right, aiming to make Siri a strong competitor to platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

The centerpiece of iOS 19 will be a “more conversational Siri,” driven by advanced large language models. Gurman notes that this iteration of Siri will be capable of handling complex requests, bridging the gap between Apple’s AI assistant and rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While this enhanced Siri is likely to be showcased during the WWDC 2025 keynote, it won’t be available to users until iOS 19.4. This phased approach mirrors Apple’s incremental refinement strategy seen in previous software releases.

In the interim, Apple continues to enhance Siri with incremental updates in iOS 18. The upcoming iOS 18.2, expected this December, introduces basic ChatGPT integration, marking the first step towards AI-assisted functionality. This will be followed by deeper improvements in iOS 18.4, slated for spring 2025, which include on-screen awareness, enhanced app-specific controls, and improved interaction capabilities. These updates, however, remain transitional measures—a “band-aid” solution, as Gurman describes it—while Apple refines its proprietary AI technology.

The revamped Siri in iOS 19 is part of a broader overhaul aimed at eliminating reliance on external AI engines. This new foundation will enable Siri to operate autonomously, processing and responding to user queries with unprecedented sophistication. While users will experience these advancements gradually over the next 18 months, the comprehensive transformation will culminate with iOS 19.4. By then, Siri’s capabilities should align closely with those of ChatGPT, offering a seamless, fully integrated AI experience.

(via Bloomberg)

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