Apple's Siri AI Upgrade Faces Delays Amid Engineering Challenges

Siri's Apple Intelligence Upgrades Are Still a Couple of Months Away (at Least)

When Apple first revealed Apple Intelligence, its slate of generative AI features, a huge part of that announcement was a super-charged Siri. No longer would Apple's digital assistant be lagging behind competitors like Google: With the power of AI, the new Siri might actually be useful. When Apple Intelligence drops in full, Siri will reportedly be much more contextually aware, and be able to scan what's on your phone to understand and answer questions you ask. If your friend sends you their new address, you can ask Siri "add this address to their contact card." You don't need to specify which address or which contact, because the assistant will, according to Apple, be able to understand that by what's currently on-screen. Another huge feature is the ability to ask Siri to take action for you: You can ask Siri to send an email you have in your drafts, edit an image on your behalf, or add a photo to a specific note. If your iPhone is compatible with Apple Intelligence, you might have assumed it supports this new Siri. iOS 18 has been out for a bit, after all, and Apple has been pushing Apple Intelligence (and the new Siri) hard, including with a campaign featuring Bella Ramsey. Some Apple Store employees even started a chant about AI during the iPhone 16 launch. The thing is, the new Siri isn't here yet. Apple did upgrade Siri a bit with iOS 18.1, and its the first wave of new AI features: That includes Siri's new design, which glows around the edges of the display; the ability to type to Siri by double-tapping on the bottom of the screen; Siri's ability to understand requests even when you misspeak; and a new feature that turns Siri into impromptu tech support (e.g., "How do I turn off Do Not Disturb?"). But iOS 18.1 came and went without any further updates to Siri. iOS 18.2 added more Apple Intelligence features, including ChatGPT integration, but no major Siri changes. iOS 18.3 was a smaller update (Apple even disabled notification summaries for certain alert types), but, again, skipped any upgrades for Siri. Anyone hotly anticipating Siri's AI promise might need to keep waiting. For the longest time, it seemed like these upgrades would come as part of either iOS 18.3 or iOS 18.4. Following 18.3's absence of Siri updates, of course, those predictions turned to iOS 18.4. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported back in September that Apple was planning on rolling out most of Siri's big features by this update. However, last week, Gurman said issues and bugs are plaguing the engineering team, and, as a result, Siri may be delayed even further. We'll find out soon enough, it seems. Apple now says in fine print that additional Apple Intelligence features (as well as additional language support) are coming in early April. The company doesn't specify, but those features are likely a part of iOS 18.4. Before the company releases that update in early April, they'll need to beta test it, which means we should see 18.4's first beta sooner rather than later. When it arrives, we'll know whether Apple plans to roll out big Siri changes now, or whether they've put those upgrades on the back-burner once again. While Apple supports iPhone as old as the XS with iOS 18, not many iPhones will actually get these new Siri features. That's because Apple Intelligence is limited to iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series -- including the new iPhone 16e. If you have an iPhone 15 or older, you won't see these new upgrades, even when you update to iOS 18.4, or whichever update contains the AI-overhauled Siri.

Apple's Siri AI upgrade could be delayed until May: Report

Apple's highly anticipated Siri upgrade, part of its Apple Intelligence platform, is encountering engineering hurdles and software bugs, potentially delaying its rollout, according to a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The report highlights that Apple initially announced the AI-powered Siri enhancements at its developers' conference in June 2023, with plans to release some features by April 2024. However, internal challenges may push the release to May or later. The Siri overhaul is a key component of Apple's strategy to catch up in the AI race and drive iPhone upgrades. Despite the company's efforts, the rollout of Apple Intelligence has been uneven, with some features, like news summaries, criticized for glitches. Gurman noted that Siri's success is "crucial" for Apple, as it represents the company's AI ambitions since its 2011 debut. The report added that Apple is working on three major Siri upgrades: Originally slated for iOS 18.4 in April, some features may now be delayed to iOS 18.5 in May. Apple is also considering releasing the features in April but keeping them disabled by default, enabling them later in the iOS 18.5 update. Internally, employees testing the new Siri have found inconsistencies in its performance. The report said Apple is racing against time to finalize the software, with the developer beta for iOS 18.4 expected soon. Delays could also impact other products, such as Apple's upcoming smart home hub, which relies on Siri's enhanced app control capabilities. The report highlighted that Apple's AI efforts face stiff competition from rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Meta's Llama. The company's AI and machine-learning teams have struggled to meet deadlines, with some engineers believing the platform was rushed to market to satisfy investor expectations. Despite these challenges, CEO Tim Cook remains optimistic. During a recent earnings call, he stated that Apple Intelligence is "elevating experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Mac." However, iPhone sales fell by 1% during the holiday quarter, suggesting that AI features have yet to significantly boost demand. The report also noted Apple's collaboration with Chinese tech giants Baidu and Alibaba to develop AI features compliant with local regulations. Meanwhile, delays in iOS 18 could ripple into future updates, potentially pushing iOS 19 features to 2026. Other anticipated Apple Intelligence features, such as AI-sorted mail on iPad and Mac, priority notifications, and Image Playground's sketch style, are also in development. The mail upgrade is expected in iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, with iPhone users already having access. Looking ahead, Apple plans to make Siri more conversational and competitive with ChatGPT by 2026. For now, the company is focused on overcoming technical challenges to deliver a more versatile and reliable digital assistant.

Apple's big AI upgrade for Siri could be delayed - and if it doesn't arrive in iOS 18.4, I'm afraid people will start losing patience

Apple is reportedly struggling with its much-awaited major revamp of Siri and may have to push back the upgrade until iOS 18.5 in May. That's according to seasoned Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who claims "engineering problems and software bugs" may further delay the overhaul, which was set to give the assistant more far-reaching AI powers driven by Apple Intelligence. If you cast your mind back to WWDC 2024, Apple revealed a huge AI upgrade for Siri, some of which came into play last year, but other more complex abilities are still in the works. Citing "people with knowledge of the matter", Gurman reports that this functionality is proving more difficult to implement than expected and that some of these in-depth features are apparently not working consistently enough. That includes some of the more impressive powers demonstrated by Apple previously, such as having Siri scour across emails and text messages to find a relative's flight and lunch reservation plans, to pick a specific example highlighted by Gurman. More broadly, Gurman's sources paint a picture of Apple's engineers "racing" to finish these AI features. The original plan was supposedly to launch the upgraded Siri in iOS 18.4 - an update rumored for April 2025 (the beta should be imminent, in fact) - but now, that might be pushed back to May (in iOS 18.5 seemingly), or even later. Some, or all, of these heavyweight AI powers for Siri might be held back, so we could potentially see a smattering of new abilities in iOS 18.4 - but it's sounding very up in the air still, especially considering this is a relatively close timeframe now. Gurman also theorizes that another option for Apple could be to include the new AI features for Siri in iOS 18.4, but switched off by default - presumably a 'use at your own risk' kind of scenario. Apple might then choose to fully enable them (by default) in the next release of iOS, when any final gremlins are ironed out, presumably. One way or another, it sounds like Siri getting fully upgraded with all the AI features Apple promised is looking a shakier prospect in the nearer-term - assuming Gurman's sources are accurate, of course. What are these AI powers, you might be wondering? To recap on the WWDC reveal, they include some major pieces of the puzzle to really power up Siri, including awareness of what's on the screen of the device (to use this info in context, when interacting with the user), and deeper integration with apps to facilitate better control over this software. A more personal experience and a whole bunch of new tricks should be possible, including the ability described by Gurman above pertaining to the relative's reservation plans. The problem is that some Apple fans are increasingly eager to actually try out some of the compelling features for Siri that were demonstrated by Apple the best part of a year ago now. Just in the past week, we've written about how the iOS 18.4 beta promises to include the Siri upgrade we've been waiting for and that iOS 18.4 could be the biggest iPhone upgrade ever. So far, we've been treated to a smart new interface for the assistant, and those ChatGPT chops, but there's nothing that heralds the arrival of the all-new, much more powerful AI that we were promised by Apple at its big developer conference last year. The danger is that if iOS 18.4 turns up, and Siri is again left standing still on the AI front, people will start to lose patience here. And not only that, but a sluggish deployment of these AI features will reinforce the impression of Apple as lagging behind the rest of the tech industry in the artificial intelligence field. To be fair to Apple, when it revealed Siri's new AI functionality at WWDC last year, for the more complex features, the company didn't promise anything in terms of delivery beyond a rollout over the course of 2025. That tentativeness may itself have been a hint that Apple wasn't confident in a delivery timeframe, and realized the complexity of actually implementing all this stuff so it works well. As ever, this is just chatter from the rumor mill, so take it with some skepticism, although Gurman is certainly one of the more reliable journalists out there when it comes to insider info from Apple. We'll presumably find out soon, with a new iPhone tipped for release next week and possibly some iOS news around the same time.

Siri 2.0 isn't ready for the limelight as Apple runs into bugs and delays

As part of its Apple Intelligence announcement, the Cupertino-based company revealed it was working on an overhaul of its Siri digital assistant that would incorporate aspects of Apple's version of AI. However, a massive new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reveals that Siri may be in trouble. According to Gurman, Siri is facing so many engineering problems and software bugs that Siri 2.0 could be postponed or limited for a serious amount of time. A revamped Siri was announced during the June WWDC conference alongside a number of other Apple Intelligence features, not all of which have even launched yet. For the first time ever, Apple has been slow rolling its latest version of iOS, meaning that not every AI feature Apple has shown off is ready or even available to iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro model owners. Since October, iOS 18 has released Apple Intelligence in stages, and it has not been a smooth rollout to say the least. The recent iOS 18.3 update proved that Apple has work to do with features like AI-summary notifications getting turned off due to AI hallucinations or straight up misinformation. Siri has existed since 2011 when it launched on the iPhone 4S. It was groundbreaking at the time but now is falling behind competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT -- currently integrated with Siri -- and Google's Gemini. When Apple announced the revamped Siri last summer, it was pitched that Siri would get a number of new features including: Even then, it was revealed that the future of Apple's Siri wouldn't come all at once and a full update wasn't expected until the spring of 2025. Up until Gurman's report today, it was expected that the forthcoming iOS 18.4 would launch with a number of Siri upgrades, likely in April. Specifically, personal context, on-screen awareness and in-app actions. According to Gurman, Apple is apparently considering delaying that rollout until iOS 18.5, which may not launch until May. "The goal is to ultimately offer a more versatile Siri that can seamlessly tap into customers' information and communication," he writes. Internally, it appears that Siri is not working consistently with any of the mentioned features and crunch-time is upon Apple's engineers with a potential iOS 18.4 developer beta potentially launching in late February. A report from October of last year also claimed that Apple was "two years behind" on AI. This is mostly because Apple has prioritized two facets of its AI development; privacy and on-device AI versus cloud-based AI like that of OpenAI and Google. In the long run that may actually be more beneficial but in the short-term, it's possibly costing Apple and forcing the company to rush things. We know Apple doesn't want to rely on ChatGPT, and, as with many things Apple, the company would prefer to have its own house-built AI assistant running on its company-designed chips and phones. A leaked memo in January revealed that Apple had transitioned in an internal fixer, Kim Vorrath, who was given the mandate of "whipping artificial intelligence and Siri into shape." As Siri's development finds itself hindered by engineering problems and bugs, it's more than likely that other aspects of Apple Intelligence and the general iOS 18 rollout are being pushed back as well. Gurman claims that features meant for iOS 19 out of the box may not launch until 2026. In the meantime, we still have regular, increasingly outdated Siri who may not even be listening.

Enhanced Siri Experience Powered By Apple Intelligence To Be Released In May With iOS 18.5, As Developers Struggle With iOS 18.4's Development And Consistency

Apple introduced its AI features with the release of iOS 18 last year, and it has mostly changed the way how users use the iPhone. Apple Intelligence adds a slew of new features to the platform, which redefine functionality and productivity. However, one of the biggest features that Apple Intelligence boasted last year was a new Siri facelift, which would have allowed it to better compete against the likes of Google's Gemini and ChatGPT. It appears that Apple has delayed the highly anticipated Siri experience due to developmental challenges, as it will potentially not be a part of the iOS 18.4 release. Apple is expected to release the iOS 18.4 beta next week to developers, which would come with a handful of Apple Intelligence upgrades. iOS 18.4 was considered to be a major update as it would include major Siri enhancements, but it looks like the company will take its sweet time before releasing it to the general public. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is running into engineering problems and software bugs, which could delay the launch of the new Siri functionality. The company recently announced that it will release new languages for Apple Intelligence in April, which we presume will arrive with the release of iOS 18.4. With that said, Apple has limited time left to get its features ready, including Siri. Given the company is running into software development issues, it could delay or postpone some features until iOS 18.5, which will be released around WWDC 2025. If you are not familiar with it, the new Siri experience bolstered by Apple Intelligence includes personal context for better understanding and responding to user requests. It will also extend the ability to do more tasks between and within apps along with enhanced on-screen awareness to provide assistance with what the user is looking at and much more. Apple engineers working on the addition stated that the feature is not working consistently at this stage, which means that it will require more time. Apple needs to ramp up its software development if it wants to release its future iOS 19 features on time. It was reported previously that Apple's gradual rollout of AI features in iOS 18 could delay some major iOS 19 features and their development. Based on the latest information, it appears that iOS 19 will follow the same trend of offering features late to users. As for the competition, companies like Samsung and Google are releasing their share of AI features quite rapidly, and Apple should take note of this if it wants to retain sales. We will share more details on the matter as soon as further information is available, so stay tuned.

Apple's competitive edge in AI hinges on these three unreleased Siri features - 9to5Mac

At a glance, the most notable change to Siri in iOS 18 is its new design. The floating orb has been replaced with a rainbow glow around the edge of the device. This signals that Siri is now powered by Apple Intelligence, but the biggest AI features for Siri haven't rolled out yet. That's about to change in the next few iOS 18 updates. Apple lists 13 new Siri features in iOS 18. Most of these have already shipped, but it may not feel like the big iOS 18 update for Siri has arrived. I think that's because the biggest AI-related Siri feature so far is handing off a request to ChatGPT. I'm a big ChatGPT user, but using Siri isn't one of my top three ways of interacting with ChatGPT. These are the 10 new Siri features that are included in iOS 18 so far: If you stumble over words or change your mind mid-sentence, Siri will still follow along. For example, you might say: "Siri, set an alarm -- wait no, sorry, I meant a timer for 10 minutes -- actually, let's make that 15." Siri will adjust accordingly without needing a new command. Siri remembers recent requests to make follow-up interactions easier. For example, if you ask, "When are the Warriors playing next?" and then say, "Add that to my calendar," Siri will understand what "that" refers to. A new glowing edge light wraps around the screen when you speak to Siri. This responsive animation follows your voice and allows you to keep scrolling, typing, or navigating your device while using Siri. As you type a request to Siri, predictive text will help complete your request faster. This model is designed specifically to speed up Siri interactions. Siri now sounds more natural, expressive, and clear. The voice is synthesized entirely on-device using Apple Intelligence's new language models. Siri can answer thousands of questions about Apple product features and settings by referencing Apple support documentation and large language models. You can now type to Siri at any time. All voice commands can also be input via text, and you can switch between text and voice seamlessly. Siri now provides suggested requests above the keyboard, offering ultrafast access to common actions. Siri responses now match the look and feel of the app they reference. For example, when asking about the weather, the response will appear as if it were directly from the Weather app. Siri can tap into ChatGPT to assist with certain requests when it determines ChatGPT may provide a more helpful answer. Additionally, you can ask about photos, documents (including PDFs and presentations), and more. You'll always be asked before any information is sent to ChatGPT. Siri will then present the response in a seamless manner. If it feels like Siri is mostly just the same in iOS 18, that's because the three biggest upgrades are still being developed. While we've expected these Siri features to arrive in iOS 18.4 beta as soon as this week, we now expect some to be held back until iOS 18.5. At any rate, these are the three Siri upgrades remaining for iOS 18: With the on-device semantic index powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri can understand emails, messages, photos, calendar events, files, and more. This allows Siri to provide answers tailored to you. For example, when you ask, "What was that movie that Jamie told me I should check out?" Siri will retrieve the relevant message from last week. Similarly, if you say, "Add my passport number here," Siri can extract the number from a saved photo of your passport and insert it for you. Siri can now understand and interact with content on your screen. If a friend texts you about a new coffee shop in your neighborhood, you can simply ask, "How long would it take me to walk there from home?" and Siri will process your request based on the message. Siri can perform hundreds of new actions across both first- and third-party apps. * While editing a photo, you can say, "Make this photo warmer," and Siri will adjust the settings in the Photos app. * Siri can also operate across apps -- after editing, you can say, "Add this to my ratatouille recipe note," and Siri will seamlessly move from Photos to Notes to complete the task. Which of these features will arrive in iOS 18.4 beta? We should find out soon. But how well they work is another question. It feels like a make-or-break moment for Siri, and these three remaining iOS 18 features are key indicators of Apple's ability to leverage AI with Siri. These three Siri features are AI uses that only Apple can provide -- not because of Apple's AI talent, but because of Apple's position as the platform operator. Apple needs to finalize these ambitious features before making any big promises for Siri and Apple Intelligence with iOS 19. WWDC 2025 is less than four months away. Siri should be the best voice assistant available on the iPhone. It's the only one with deep device and operating system integration. That's even more reason for Apple to be a strong player in AI and not just a platform for innovative technologies. If Siri can't keep up, a strong case will mount for Apple to support changing the default voice assistant and allowing competing voice assistants to hook into iOS. Otherwise, standalone AI devices will actually have a reason to exist. Limited integration with temporary ChatGPT requests isn't enough. In time, the iPhone could look less appealing to someone who values having the best AI-powered voice assistant more than blue iMessage bubbles.

Apple's AI-Powered Siri Reportedly Faces Delays Amid Software Bugs

Samantha Kelly is a freelance writer with a focus on consumer technology, AI, social media, Big Tech, emerging trends and how they impact our everyday lives. Her work has been featured on CNN, NBC, NPR, the BBC, Mashable and more. Apple's much-anticipated revamped Siri, featuring new AI capabilities, is facing delays.The company is reportedly working through engineering challenges and software bugs tied to Siri's integration with Apple Intelligence, the company's AI, which could push back the launch date, according to a Bloomberg report. The update was originally planned for an April launch - with a beta version release as early as late February - but is now expected in May or later, as the company works to finalize the software. Apple teased the launch of a Siri overhaul at WWDC 2024 last June. Apple workers testing the new features reportedly say the assistant's performance remains inconsistent at the current stage. Still, the company is working quickly to finish the software, the report said. Read more: Apple Is Planning a Major AI-Powered Overhaul to Siri A representative for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The delays could also impact future Apple Intelligence updates planned around the launch of the iPhone 17 in September, the report said. Some features originally intended for iOS 19 may now be pushed back to 2026. The rollout of Apple Intelligence has been anything but smooth, as it's been prone to glitches and introduced in stages. In December, Siri was integrated with ChatGPT, allowing users to use the chatbot for additional assistance on questions asked via Apple's voice assistant. But some features have not yet been introduced, such as the ability to better respond to tasks, offer answers with greater personalized insight and do more within apps. Read more: Siri Got a Makeover: Here's How to Make Your iPhone Glow The Siri overhaul comes at a time when competition in the AI assistant space is heating up, with rivals like OpenAI and Google pushing forward with their own more-advanced intelligent assistants. The goal is to make Siri more conversational and capable of handling more everyday tasks. It also comes as Apple readies Apple Intelligence in China. Last week, news circulated that Apple reportedly is partnering with local firms to bring the software to China later this year, including adaptations to comply with the Chinese government's expectations of keeping iPhone users from seeing information it doesn't want them to see. Rival companies continue to leverage advanced AI tools to lure customers away from the iPhone, many at more competitive prices.

Apple Delays Siri AI Revamp Amid Engineering Hurdles

Apple is reportedly delaying its plans to revamp its AI assistant Siri, part of the rollout of Apple Intelligence, amid engineering problems and software bugs. The company is "still racing to finish the software," according to anonymous sources who spoke to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and employees testing the new Siri have found many new "features don't yet work consistently." As a result, some features originally pegged for the April rollout of iOS 18.4 may not land until May or later, following the rollout of iOS 18.5. Apple is reportedly also mulling over the idea of keeping the planned new features in Siri but keeping them turned off by default in iOS 18.4 before enabling them automatically in iOS 18.5, giving them some time to fine-tune the technology. Apple had been promising plenty of new features for Siri as part of Apple Intelligence, including better "onscreen awareness" and the ability to action users' requests across apps. Bloomberg notes how during previous demonstrations, Apple has showed Siri being able to perform personal assistant-style tasks such as quickly locating a user's flight and lunch reservation plans by accessing the iPhone's email and message history. But according to Gurman, this personal assistant-style functionality is one of the features at risk of being delayed. This isn't the first time Siri's AI revamp has been pushed back. Siri's new Apple Intelligence features had originally been pegged to debut last fall. Meanwhile, if you're waiting for a supercharged version of Siri comparable to ChatGPT, known as "Siri LLM," you might be waiting until spring 2026, according to Gurman. But regardless of recent setbacks, Siri has more AI functionality than it did just a few months ago. When Apple Intelligence debuted with iOS 18.1 in November, it displayed some significant improvements, particularly in the field of Apple-specific knowledge or when users stumbled over their words. And if Apple Intelligence isn't enough in its current state, Apple now allows users to add OpenAI's ChatGPT AI to their devices, to lend a helping hand when Apple Intelligence falters.

The new, improved Siri might take even longer to arrive

Bugs and engineering issues in iOS 18..4 are hampering the development of a key part of Apple Intelligence. It's been nearly three weeks since Apple released iOS 18.3 and we still don't have the much-anticipated iOS 18.4 beta, which has long been expected to include the first look at the new and improved Siri. Well, according to a new report, we're going to have to wait a bit longer to see any Siri-related progress. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman dropped a bombshell on Friday: the Siri overhaul that Apple is working on has faced engineering problems and bugs, "threatening" Apple's plans to issue a Siri overhaul this April with iOS 18.4. Hence, the new Siri may not arrive until May or later with the iOS 18.5 update. The major Siri overhaul involves a heavy dose of Apple Intelligence, which brings the ability to read what's on your screen and plug into third-party apps. Apple is testing the new Siri internally and has found inconsistent performance and with the iOS 18.4 beta expected next week, Apple has to make decisions on its ability to deliver. Besides delaying Siri, another option, Gurman says, is to include the enhanced Siri in iOS 18.4 but have it turned off by default until 18.5. The Siri setback is a major one for Apple. The company is already paying catch-up with its AI implementation, and Siri will be at the core of the rumored smart home push, which will reportedly include a new iPad-like home hub, a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, and other accessories. So a Siri delay could cause a domino effect that delays those products as well. From a user standpoint, however, we've already been waiting for years for Siri to improve and be useful. What's a few more months of waiting so that Apple gets it right?

Tired of waiting for Apple's big Siri upgrade? Try these top AI apps instead

A new-and-improved Siri is still running late, but there are alternatives iPhone users waiting for a desperately needed Siri overhaul may soon start losing patience after a disappointing update, but there are better AI assistants out there than Siri. On Friday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple's upgraded version of Siri, first announced at WWDC 2024 in June, may get delayed yet again due to ongoing bugs Apple is still ironing out. Gurman's update comes just a couple of months after the first Apple Intelligence features rolled out in iOS 18.2. So, iPhone users have already had a long wait to see any of Apple's promised AI features. Previous rumors indicated that the Siri overhaul would likely launch with iOS 18.4, probably in March or April. However, it's looking like Apple is going to tack a few more months onto that wait if it pushes the Siri upgrade back to iOS 18.5. Of course, launching a poorly functioning update before it's ready wouldn't be the right move, so the wait will likely be worth it. It's still disappointing, though. Luckily, Apple Intelligence is far from the only AI assistant available on the iPhone. If you're growing tired of waiting for Apple to finally give Siri the overhaul it has needed for years, you're in luck. There are plenty of other AI assistants you can use on iOS that provide many, if not all, of the same features Apple has promised for the new-and-improved Siri. The best feature all these apps share is that they're available right now, no months-long wait needed. No list of the top AI assistants is complete without ChatGPT, which has become the most popular generative AI platform in the world over the past few years. While some advanced features require a paid subscription, the basic AI tools most users are looking for are available for free, such as responding to search queries, answering questions, or generating text-based content like email drafts. Conveniently, Apple Intelligence is going to include a ChatGPT integration, so you'll be able to privately use ChatGPT in lieu of Apple's on-device AI for some tasks. That means if you do get used to using it or purchase a subscription, you'll easily be able to blend that into your Apple Intelligence experience. If you haven't used ChatGPT before, you can try it out for free on your web browser or in the ChatGPT app on iOS and iPadOS. DeepSeek is the new kid on the block in the AI world, but right off the bat, it promised performance to rival OpenAI's ChatGPT. While DeepSeek has faced some controversy over that rivalry and claims about how cost-effective its algorithm is, it is still a high-performing AI platform that makes a great alternative to Siri. DeepSeek can perform many of the same tasks as ChatGPT, but has a few important advantages. First, it's completely free. Since DeepSeek is open-source, anyone can access, use, and modify the algorithm's code. It also means the official DeepSeek app is free to use, with no pricey subscription necessary (at least, not at the time of writing). It has also proven to deliver more detailed, reliable responses to some types of prompts, but not all (ChatGPT tends to be better at programming questions and DeepSeek may dodge political questions related to China). So, if you're looking for a free alternative to ChatGPT that's available right now (unlike the Siri update), DeepSeek is a great option. You can try out DeepSeek on your web browser or with the free DeepSeek app on iOS. Long-time iPhone users may cringe at the idea of replacing Siri with Google's AI assistant, but at least Gemini is currently available. Google Gemini can answer questions and generate text and images just like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, but it has a distinct advantage due to its integration across Google's apps, including Gmail, Drive, and Docs. If you regularly use Google's other apps and services, having access to Gemini across those platforms can be really convenient, giving it an edge over ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and even Siri. Unfortunately, Gemini isn't completely free. Most basic tasks are included in the free version of it, but advanced features require a Gemini Advanced subscription. It's $19.99 per month, which is the same as OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus subscription. You can try out Google Gemini for free on your web browser or with the Google Gemini iOS app. While there are plenty of other AI apps out there, like those above, some Apple users may still have their hearts set on waiting for the big Siri overhaul. If you're in this boat, it looks like you'll probably have to wait until at least May. If the rumors about the Siri update getting delayed again are accurate, it will be pushed back to at least iOS 18.5. In years past, iOS 17.5 and iOS 16.5 both came out in mid-May so we can expect a similar release window for iOS 18.5. At the least, we will probably see the new-and-improved Siri before WWDC 2025 in June. We'll be covering all of the latest news and rumors about the Siri update, Apple Intelligence, and iOS 18, so stay tuned for more details.

iOS 18.4 Delays: What's Causing the Hold-Up

Apple's highly anticipated iOS 18.4 update, which promises significant advancements in Siri's functionality, is facing delays. These setbacks are attributed to engineering challenges and persistent software bugs that have complicated the integration of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features. As Apple deliberates between postponing the update or scaling back some of its functionalities, the situation underscores the delicate balance between innovation and reliability in software development. The delay reflects Apple's commitment to delivering a polished product, even if it means adjusting the timeline. The video below from iDeviceHelp gives us more details about the next iOS update. The standout feature of iOS 18.4 is a major upgrade to Siri, Apple's voice assistant. This update focuses on three fantastic areas: personal context tracking, onscreen awareness, and deeper app integration. These enhancements aim to make Siri more intuitive, responsive, and seamlessly integrated into your daily digital activities. These features are designed to make Siri smarter, more proactive, and capable of handling complex tasks. However, the technical demands of implementing these capabilities have introduced significant challenges, contributing to the delay. The delay in iOS 18.4 is primarily due to the engineering complexities involved in overhauling Siri's AI capabilities. Developing a system that can understand personal context and interact with onscreen content requires sophisticated algorithms and extensive testing. During this process, software bugs have emerged, further complicating the development timeline. To address these issues, Apple is reportedly considering postponing some of Siri's new features to iOS 18.5, which is expected to launch in May. This cautious approach reflects Apple's dedication to maintaining its high standards for quality and reliability. By delaying certain functionalities, Apple ensures that the final product meets user expectations and aligns with its reputation for delivering polished software. The first beta version of iOS 18.4 is expected to debut during Apple's product launch event on February 19. However, alternative dates, such as February 17 or 18, are also under consideration. The timing of the beta release is critical, as it may include references to unreleased products that Apple plans to unveil during the event. Aligning the software update with the product launch ensures a seamless experience for both users and developers. Another factor influencing the delay is the need for synchronization between iOS updates and new hardware. Apple frequently includes code in its software updates to support upcoming devices. Making sure compatibility between the operating system and new hardware minimizes potential issues and enhances the overall user experience. This synchronization effort is part of Apple's broader strategy for long-term AI development. By prioritizing quality and functionality, Apple aims to position Siri as a leader in the competitive voice assistant market. While delays can be frustrating, they often result in a more refined and reliable product that meets user expectations. The delay of iOS 18.4 highlights the complexities of integrating advanced AI features into a widely used operating system. For users, the wait may ultimately prove beneficial. Apple's focus on refining Siri's capabilities ensures a more intelligent, context-aware assistant that aligns with the demands of modern users. Whether iOS 18.4 arrives in February or later, the emphasis remains on delivering features that enhance usability and reliability. By prioritizing quality over speed, Apple continues to uphold its reputation for excellence, making sure that the new Siri features will provide a smarter, more seamless digital experience for users worldwide. Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on iOS 18.4 that you might find useful.

Apple Reportedly Battling Bugs Holding Back Long-Awaited Siri Upgrade | PYMNTS.com

Apple is reportedly dealing with tech issues that could delay its long-awaited Siri update. The upgraded version of the tech giant's digital assistant is facing software bugs and engineering troubles, Bloomberg News reported late Friday (Feb. 14), citing sources with knowledge of the matter. Apple first introduced plans for a new, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered version of Siri at its developer's conference last year, and has gone as far to advertise some of its features, the Bloomberg report said. However, the company is still scrambling to finish the software, the sources said. Some features -- which had been slated to debut in April -- might be pushed back to at least May. It's also possible that Apple could limit some of the updates until its iOS 18.5 operating system is released, something that could happen as early as May, the sources said. As Bloomberg noted, the new version of Siri is the cornerstone of the Apple Intelligence platform, the company's effort to carve a space for itself in the AI market while also getting consumers to buy new iPhones. Beyond the issues with Siri, Apple Intelligence has had a less-than-smooth debut. The software has rolled out in stages since being introduced last fall, with some features -- like wildly inaccurate news summaries -- sparking criticism. Apple ultimately removed the feature. The news comes as Apple is also working to bring AI features to iPhones sold in China. Last week, Chinese conglomerate Alibaba said it was working with Apple to design an AI system that meets the country's regulatory requirements. If and when the new version of Siri arrives, and Apple works out its various AI bugs, the technology could transform the way people shop, experts told PYMNTS last fall. "Apple isn't just upgrading Siri -- it's redefining the retail experience," said Kaveh Vahdat, founder of AI marketing firm RiseOpp. "Imagine AI-powered shopping where Siri becomes a real-time stylist, inventory checker and payment assistant, all wrapped in Apple's signature privacy shield." Imagine yourself stepping into an Apple Store, Vahdat said, and having your iPhone automatically alert you to personalized offers or check if that MacBook you've been considering is in stock. "This could transform Apple's retail strategy from reactive to predictive, placing the iPhone as the personal shopping assistant of the future," he said. The most substantial changes might involve Apple Pay, the company's mobile payment system, Vahdat told PYMNTS. "Imagine an iPhone that knows you've entered your favorite store, highlights items on your wish list, and lets you complete a purchase with a nod to your payment history and budget -- all with Apple's tight privacy controls intact," he said.

Apple Intelligence failure: 'rushed to market to appease an AI-obsessed Wall Street'

TL;DR: Apple's AI-powered Siri update faces engineering issues and software bugs, potentially delaying its release. Apple has been working on an AI-powered update for its Siri digital assistant, but according to the latest report, it is "facing engineering problems and software bugs, threatening to postpone or limit its release". The update on the AI-powered update for Siri is coming from Mark Gurman on Bloomberg, where he reports the news "according to people with knowledge of the matter". After announcing its plans for new AI-powered Siri abilities at its developers conference in June 2024, advertising its new features around the world, the company is still not ready. Some of the new features were planned for an April 2025 release, but Gurrman's sources said that these features "may have to be postponed until May or later". Apple refused to comment on the Siri project, after promising some major updates coming to the digital assistant in June 2024: Gurman writes that Apple is considering delaying or limiting at least some of the new Siri abilities until iOS 18.5, which "will be released as early as May" according to his sources. Gurman continues, saying that even inside of Apple, many employees testing the new Siri have discovered these features "don't yet work consistently" adding that "it's nearing crunch time for the software to be ready". Apple has had a huge, multi-million-dollar, global marketing campaign for Apple Intelligence... but the world's second most-valuable company (aside from NVIDIA) has been struggling with AI. OpenAI has ChatGPT, Google has Gemini, Meta has Llama, and then X with xAI... but Apple and its machine-learning team have struggled to meet deadlines reports Gurman. He adds that "some engineers believe the system was rushed to market to appease AI-obsessed Wall Street".

Apple's Long-Promised AI Overhaul for Siri Runs Into Bugs, Possible Delays

Apple Inc.'s long-promised overhaul for the Siri digital assistant is facing engineering problems and software bugs, threatening to postpone or limit its release, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The company first unveiled plans for a new AI-infused Siri at its developers conference last June and has even advertised some of the features to customers. But Apple is still racing to finish the software, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the situation is private. Some features, originally planned for April, may have to be postponed until May or later, they said.

AI Alexa and AI Siri face bugs and delays | TechCrunch

Amazon and Apple are struggling to put generative AI technology in their digital assistants - Alexa and Siri, respectively - according to a pair of reports that came out on Friday. Amazon hoped to release its new Alexa during an event in New York on February 26. Now Amazon plans to delay the release of its generative AI-powered Alexa until March or later, according to the Washington Post. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Apple's AI overhaul of Siri is running into engineering problems and software bugs. Some new features around Siri that were planned for release in April may not be ready until May or later. Amazon and Apple hoped to release these updated products quickly to compete with next-gen AI voice assistants, such as OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode and Google's Gemini Live. However, those efforts are not going according to plan.