Absolutely correct. Any “reasoning” that people perceive is nothing more than lucky mimicry.
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Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised
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fatTribble
macrumors 68030
I use Siri often throughout the day for simple tasks like adding something to the grocery list, activating Shortcuts, starting timers and occasionally sending a text from my Watch. I’m hoping the more advanced features don’t make the simple ones more complicated. I really want to be excited about all of this but, like you, I haven’t had any benefits yet from Apple AI. And of course the google connection. Sigh.
zoozx
macrumors 6502a
Siri to be bigger...
Hey Siri, directions to Santa Barbara calif.
Siri KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN IS 12 MILES FROM YOU!
Hey Siri, directions to Santa Barbara calif.
Siri KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN IS 12 MILES FROM YOU!
fatTribble
macrumors 68030
I think that’s unrealistic for the Watch to be as capable as the iPhone while having a tiny battery by comparison and very limited space.
Jason2000
macrumors 6502
No way they will delay it. It might now work right but they will release something and say its in beta. They messed up the first time with big promises they could not keep so doing it again would be disastrous.
I’m surprised you have thumbs down reactions to this comment. LLMs as we use them today are exceptionally bad for the planet. Anyone paying attention, and especially those living near where data centers exist or are trying to be built, have first hand knowledge. They use way too much water and energy to be sustainable. More people are using these things everyday, they’re being integrated in more software constantly, and we can’t continue expanding the infrastructure to meet the requirements.
LLMs themselves will likely be around a long time unless someone makes some major leap into something else (like the leap from the nearly worthless AI we had before into LLMs)… but they won’t be around in this exact form for long because it is financially and geographically unsustainable.
To disagree with that is to not know anything about the environmental impact or the impact to the bank accounts of the ultra wealthy fronting the bill for these things.
fatTribble
macrumors 68030
These features seem, to me at least, rather lackluster given the amount of resources Apple has put into this. Granted, I have no better ideas. Most of this I likely won’t use.
But to me those Personal Context features sound a lot like what a solid Spotlight Search should be able to do.
The other examples listed are ok at best, but certainly fall short of some massive advancement.
If others are excited by this, I’m not trying to take away from that. Maybe the examples just don’t illustrate the real power of the features.
Oh good, it will finally know my pronoun is Zher Thunderlord Wizard of the 4th dimension.
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation version of Siri will use advanced large language models, similar to those used by ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Apple isn't implementing full chatbot interactions, but any upgrade is both better than what's available now and long overdue.
Right now, Siri uses machine learning, but it doesn't have the reasoning capabilities that LLM models impart. Siri relies on multiple task-specific models to complete a request, going from one step to another. Siri has to determine the intent of a request, pull out relevant information (a time, an event, a name, etc), and then use APIs or apps to complete the request. It's not an all-in-one system.
In iOS 26.4, Siri will have an LLM core that everything else is built around. Instead of just translating voice to text and looking for keywords to execute on, Siri will actually understand the specifics of what a user is asking, and use reasoning to get it done.
LLM Improvements
Siri today is usually fine for simple tasks like setting a timer or alarm, sending a text message, toggling a smart home device on or off, answering a simple question, or controlling a device function, but it doesn't understand anything more complicated, it can't complete multi-step tasks, it can't interpret wording that's not in the structure it wants, it has no personal context, and it doesn't support follow-up questions.
An LLM should solve most of those problems because Siri will have something akin to a brain. LLMs can understand the nuance of a request, suss out what it is someone actually wants, and take the steps to deliver that information or complete the requested action.
We already know some of what LLM Siri will be able to do because Apple described the Apple Intelligence features it wants to implement when iOS 18 debuted.
Promised Siri Apple Intelligence Features
Apple described three specific ways that Siri will improve, including personal context, the ability to see what's on the screen to know what the user is talking about, and the capability to do more in and between apps.
Siri will understand pronouns, references to content on the screen and in apps, and it will have a short-term memory for follow-up requests.
Personal Context
With personal context, Siri will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.
Onscreen Awareness
- Show me the files Eric sent me last week.
- Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.
- Find the books that Eric recommended to me.
- Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?
- What's my passport number?
Onscreen awareness will let Siri see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell Siri to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask Siri to do it for you.
Deeper App Integration
Deeper app integration means that Siri will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what Siri will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.
Bigger Than Promised Update
- Moving files from one app to another.
- Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.
- Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric.
- Send the email I drafted to Eric.
In an all-hands meeting in August 2025, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi explained the Siri debacle to employees. Apple had attempted to merge two separate systems, which didn't work out.
There was one system for handling current commands and another based on large language models, and the hybrid approach was not working due to the confines of the current Siri architecture. The only way forward was to upgrade to the second-generation architecture built around a large language model.
In the August meeting, Federighi said Apple had successfully revamped Siri, and that Apple would be able to introduce a bigger upgrade than it promised in iOS 18.
"The work we've done on this end-to-end revamp of Siri has given us the results we needed," Federighi told employees. "This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than that we envisioned."
Adopting Google Gemini
Part of Apple's problem was that it was relying on AI models that it built in-house, and that were not able to match the capabilities of competitors. Apple started considering using a third-party model for Siri and other future AI features shortly after delaying Siri, and in January, Apple announced a multi-year partnership with Google.
For the foreseeable future, Apple's AI features, including the more personalized version of Siri, will use a custom model Apple built in collaboration with Google's Gemini team. Apple plans to continue work on its own in-house models, but for now, it will rely on Gemini for many public-facing features.
Siri in iOS 26.4 will be more similar to Google Gemini than Siri today, though without full chatbot capabilities. Apple plans to continue to run some features on-device and use Private Cloud Compute to maintain privacy. Apple will keep personal data on-device, anonymize requests, and continue to allow AI features to be disabled.
What's Not Coming in iOS 26.4
Siri is not going to work as a chatbot, so the updated version will not feature long-term memory or back-and-forth conversations, plus Apple plans to use the same voice-based interface with limited typing functionality.
Apple's Embarrassing Siri Delay
In what became an infamous move, Apple went all-in showing off a smarter, Apple Intelligence-powered version of Siri when it introduced iOS 18 at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple said these features would come in an update to iOS 18, but right around when launch was expected, Apple admitted that Siri wasn't ready and would... Click here to read rest of article
Article Link: Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised
Mac Fly (film)
macrumors 68040
These companies including the one who offed a whistleblower all seem to want to replace human beings. Would rather not replace human beings. Just want a better Google search and a more actionable Siri that carries out my requests. Basic commands and reliable.
You mean, saved the company?
Don’t get me wrong, I also don’t want Gemini on my phone. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll do to Gemini what thy did to Internet Explorer.
Not only is it ironic, it’s deeply concerning!
This arrangement with Google remains suspect until proven otherwise.
After years of repeating Apples “privacy” mantra, now Google is a trusted partner?
Suddenly the other smartphone choices are looking tempting. With the shine off the Apple, it’s time to seriously consider the competition.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
If it was we would know by now. Beta is starting next month
It has already been delayed enough
scrapesleon
macrumors 68000
another over promise and under delivery moment of Siri loading
TVreporter
macrumors 68030
zeus423
macrumors member
My Homepod Mini has a mind of its own. "Hey, Siri, resume music." Pause for a second. "On it" and plays the next 20 or 30 seconds of a song, then the music stops. Once that song would normally finish, then Siri starts a new song and does okay.
fatTribble
macrumors 68030
That sounds eerily similar to what my spouse wants from me 🤭
I've never understood how June or July equates to Spring...maybe in Alaska I suppose.
macfacts
macrumors 603
look up the "Kessler syndrome", you can't have millions of low earth orbit satellites with huge solar arrays.
Mac Fly (film)
macrumors 68040
That bot has a strong passive aggressive patronising personality and voice tone. It is decidedly "emotional" software, sold with a certain dry wit for on-screen movie presence. When the frame is focused in on the red light, we are invited by the director to see our into own mind for movie purposes. This isn't what I was talking about. I want an LLM that can give concise answers without unprompted follow ups and fake fun "personality". Like I said, I don't want a human replacement.
Mac Fly (film)
macrumors 68040
😂. Tell her she's stuck with you because no LLM does this yet.
Long term memory should be a basic feature on a personal device. The other functions listed are simply not meaningful to me. Example 1: I would like to find a specific version of the second movement of the Beethoven 5th symphony. This remains impossible, even if I listened to this track 1000 times before on my Mac. Who cares about moving files, edit a photo ... I can do it now by using the apps. Who's Eric, btw?