Apple Still Preparing Two New Versions of Siri as Some Employees Leave

[MacRumors]

In a new report about Apple losing at least four more AI researchers in recent weeks, in addition to a high-ranking Siri executive, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that the company is preparing to release two new versions of Siri.

First, Apple announced that it plans to release a more personalized version of Siri powered by Google Gemini this year. It is expected to be part of iOS 26.4, which should enter beta testing in February and be released to the general public in March or April.

Back in June 2024, Apple said the revamped Siri will have understanding of personal context, on-screen awareness, deeper in-app controls, and more.

Second, Siri will reportedly get even better on iOS 27, as Apple is said to be planning to turn the assistant into a full-out chatbot, allowing users to have sustained, back-and-forth conversations with the assistant. This will essentially turn Siri into ChatGPT or Gemini, except it will be built right into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with no app required.

Gurman said the Siri chatbot will be "competitive with Gemini 3," and "significantly more capable" than the more personalized Siri coming with iOS 26.4.

The high-ranking Siri executive who left Apple was Stuart Bowers, according to the report, which described him as "one of the company's most senior executives working on Siri." He joined Google's artificial intelligence research laboratory DeepMind.

Article Link: Apple Still Preparing Two New Versions of Siri as Some Employees Leave

 

[HouseLannister]

This will essentially turn Siri into ChatGPT or Gemini, except it will be built right into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with no app required.

So it's Type to Siri?

 

[sputnikv]

the entire siri team should have been liquidated years ago. how is it that apple amassed the greatest collection of incompetents to work on this and for so long?

 

[deadspider187]

So this is an acknowledgment that the full implementation of a better Siri won't be implemented until IOS 27, and therefore with the release of the iPhone 18 Pros, right? I wonder if it will even be in the initial 27 release, or if we need to wait for 27.4, another ~13 months.

 

[captrlp]

Apple didn’t “lose” four more AI researchers…Apple is down four more employees who sucked at their job.

 

[poematik13]

What a mess.

 

[routine_analyst]

Apple creating 2 versions of Siri.

Siri's response: "Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

 

[uniquestevejobs]

We Need to change the CEO asap. Cook only cares about Money.

 

[Bones402]

But hey we as consumers were offered a $3,500 VR headset to buy in the meantime. If you know a hundred people, I am guessing 1 of them own one if that.

 

[Kr0019]

Apple under Steve use to be an "under promise, over delivery" company. Now it has become "pretend it exists and gaslight your customers" sham. If those in power don't see this as a fundamental disaster then this is a true turning point for the company. Still waiting for that new AppleTV to drop but at least we got a new inclusivity watch band.

 

[bmustaf]

Just one version that _actually works_ will be enough, thanks.

That cynicism out of the way, I am glad some pride was swallowed and a useful, proven frontier model was brought in so AAPL can focus on the application & integration layer where they have a history of execution & excellence.

 

[bmustaf]

Apple creating 2 versions of Siri.

Siri's response: "Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

Funny bc it is true.

 

[bmustaf]

Apple didn’t “lose” four more AI researchers…Apple is down four more employees who sucked at their job.

Great employees who are poorly led or in organizations that don't bring their greatness to market doesn't mean they "[suck] at their job".

I actually think the opposite is happening. AAPL used to be *the* place you hoped you landed an offer, and for the tech industry, it by and large is not (in certain areas, in certain practices, yes, it still is, but not in the way it was years ago).

The trend, mostly, is that the _best_ employees get poached, and the worse ones (the ones who actually "[suck] at their job" can't manage to get an offer elsewhere and end up stuck). This is how great companies have gone south: brain drain.

 

[bmustaf]

the entire siri team should have been liquidated years ago. how is it that apple amassed the greatest collection of incompetents to work on this and for so long?

I'm not sure the rank and file/individual contributors are the ones (solely) to blame and insult for years of disastrous delivery & product...accountability goes up the chain IMO for train wrecks this long, this repeated, and of this magnitude.

 

[macmyworld]

Is anyone really in a hurry for more AI taking over? I’m not

 

[sos47]

.

 

[Billy_Bob]

Siri will reportedly get even better on iOS 27

That's setting the bar awfully low, isn't it?

 

[Wanted797]

They have to make a new Siri so they can all say it only works on newer devices.

 

[switz]

A fantastic class action could involve all the misleading advertising since the iPhone 16 "ready for Siri" lies (non-existent product) and it appears it will be replicated on the 17s and maybe even the 18s.

I still think that the AI operational iPhone will require 16GB just like the Macs when the dust settles. So maybe the 19 series may operate Apple AI or whatever they call it. All of those that bought prior models can bend over and kiss them goodbye.

No wonder so much "talent" is leaving Apple. Apple is like the Titanic in that it is full speed ahead with no rudder or idea where they are or where they are going. The lucky ones disembarked early so won't go down with the ship and be unemployable.

Apple will not be the first nor the last large corporation the hit the rocks due to inept guidance from the top.

 

[iPay]

Omigod, it's happening! Evil Siri took over in 2024 and runs the company like Starship Troopers' brainbug boss. That explains why they can't show a true AI, why so many execs are terminated, and weird decisions such as paying software and erratic rollouts.

 

[Abydos]

maybe the hope is some foreign power will steal apple's AI technology

 

[switz]

What Apple AI technology? It is still vaporware as far as we customers can see.

 

[Genelec8341]

They have to make a new Siri so they can all say it only works in newer devices only.

That would be ok with me; I don't have to turn it off if it isn't available. I've never had any desire to talk at my devices or have them talk back at me.

 

[nuckinfutz]

The reality is ....if you've gained a significant amount of AI knowledge this may be the only time in your career that you get to "chase the dollars". I don't blame the Engineers for chasing the brass ring.

 

[switz]

Better than going down with the ship and have nothing to show for it....