Apple Intelligence opens iOS 27 to third-party AI models, letting users choose their preferred system

Apple plans to make iOS 27 a Choose Your Own Adventure of AI models | TechCrunch

When iOS 27 is released later this year, iPhone users will reportedly have a lot of choice when it comes to which AI models they want to use on-device. A new report from Bloomberg says that Apple plans to give users their pick of a number of third-party large language models that will be capable of powering various functions within the iPhone's operating system. The new feature, dubbed "Extensions" internally, will allow users to "access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more," reads a message reportedly shown in test versions of the software. The new capability will also be available for iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, the outlet writes, adding that models from Google and Anthropic are being tested now. Less clear is where ChatGPT stands. Since it is currently the model available to users, one implication is that it will remain a choice. TechCrunch reached out to Apple for more information. With long serving CEO Tim Cook soon stepping down, Apple's incoming top executive, John Ternus, is tasked with charting the future of the company -- including its AI strategy. The company is widely perceived to be "behind" on AI, as it is not launching as many new AI services as some of its peers. However, Apple is still bringing in a generous amount of AI-based revenue and its plan is less about spending money building out AI infrastructure and services than it is about turning its already existing hardware into an AI-centric experience for users.

Apple could let you pick a favorite AI model in iOS 27

The next update to Apple's operating systems could allow users to choose their preferred AI model for running Apple Intelligence. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to allow third-party chatbots to power its AI features system-wide in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, all expected for this fall. In addition to running Siri, compatible third-party AI models, called "Extensions," will also now be able to run other Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground. According to Gurman, Apple will also allow users to choose different Siri voices for different AI models -- Siri responses from one of Apple's AI models could have one voice, while an instance of Siri running on ChatGPT could use another voice. Users will be able to "choose from AI model providers that opt in by adding support through their App Store apps." Once a compatible AI app is installed, users will be able to set it as their preferred AI through the Settings app. Gurman says Apple is already internally testing integrations with Google and Anthropic's AI models. Google's models are also the backbone of Apple's upcoming Siri revamp, but so far ChatGPT has been the only third-party AI model integrated into Apple Intelligence, which may not be the case much longer.

Apple to let users choose rival AI models across iOS 27 features, Bloomberg News reports

May 5 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab will allow users to select from third-party artificial intelligence models for tasks such as generating and editing text and images, across its iOS 27 features, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday. The change is slated for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 this fall, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Within iOS ⁠27, Apple refers to this capability as "Extensions" that lets users to choose which AI services they want to power Apple Intelligence features through the Settings app. The update will allow users to select from AI model providers that opt in by adding compatibility through their App Store applications. To date, Apple has been internally testing integrations with at least Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google and Anthropic, the report said. Apple ⁠did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The development comes as Apple looks to close the gap with rivals Alphabet and Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab, which have moved faster to roll out AI features. Google's Gemini is expected ⁠to power Apple's revamped Siri coming this year. Apple is scheduled to hold its annual software developer conference in June, where it is expected to reveal ⁠more details about its AI plans. Last week, the tech giant said it expects sales growth of 14% to 17% in the ⁠third quarter, above Wall Street estimates of 9.5% growth, touting blowout demand for its flagship iPhone 17 and the MacBook Neo. Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Apple Intelligence will reportedly let you choose third-party AI models in iOS 27 - Engadget

It has taken a long time, but Apple seems to be settling into its AI strategy at last and the key seems to be offering options. According to the latest report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple plans to let users pick from a lineup of third-party models when asking their devices to perform generative AI tasks. This change is planned to arrive in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, sources told the publication. AI companies that opt in and add support to their App Store programs will be available to power Apple's AI tools in what the company is internally calling Extensions. "Extensions allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more," a message in test versions of the software reportedly read. We'd already gotten a hint earlier this year that choice would be a watchword for some portion of the company's plan for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg reported in March that Apple's AI chatbot-to-be would support selecting from different AI models. And for the past few years, ChatGPT has been a growing part of Apple Intelligence, with OpenAI's platform available to handle some gen-AI tasks. Apple's artificial intelligence slow play has gotten a lot of attention and raised a lot of eyebrows. The strategy now appears to be offering users flexibility and options rather than developing an in-house model powerful enough to compete directly with the chatbots that have been on the market over the past few years. It's an unusual tactic for a company that has historically embodied the walled garden approach to tech, but given the number of delays and false starts, maybe this is the way Apple can at least become a real part of the AI conversation.

If You Plan to Get an iPhone in the Fall, Don't Get Too Attached to ChatGPT

Siri has never been known for being particularly smart, but Apple is hoping to fix that reputation with its next iOS update by letting you pick the assistant's brain. According to a report from Bloomberg, iOS 27 will give iPhone users the ability to swap in their AI model of choice to serve as the default across many of Apple's AI-driven features, including its infamous assistant. Per the report, Google's Gemini will be the default choice for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Siri. But the company will also be introducing "Extensions," which will allow users to install the apps of other AI models and then use those to power parts of the Apple Intelligence suite. That means third-party options like Anthropic's Claude will be available to plug in and play within the iOS ecosystem. This move has been rumored for a while now, and it fits nicely with Apple's chosen approach to AI in general. While its rollout of AI features has been a bit of a mess, regularly missing deadlines for anticipated AI offerings and requiring a significant shakeup in its executive ranks to get everything in order, the company has landed on an option that'll probably serve its users well: choice. Last year, it was revealed that Apple would pay $1 billion to make Google's Gemini its go-to model for making Siri smarter. But the fact that the company is opening its platform to other players will give users optionality at a time when AI companies are trying to lock in users as best they can. Apple, of course, still gets plenty of benefit: It'll skim a nice fee off every subscription that is driven through the App Store. So when someone signs up for Claude to use it through Siri, the company will get a cut. The big loser here is OpenAI. While it'll still be an option in the Apple ecosystem via Extensions, it'll lose its current status as the only third-party model that plays nice with Apple Intelligence. It's also losing out on what once seemed like a sure-thing exclusive as the backbone of Apple's AI offerings. The company got in early with Apple and seemed destined to lock up the iOS ecosystem and, at the very least, have a deal similar to the one Apple ultimately entered with Google. Now it's on its way to just being another AI model in the crowd.

iOS 27 will let you choose between Gemini, Claude, and more for AI features: report - 9to5Mac

iOS 27 will give users a new way to integrate with third-party AI platforms, according to a new report. This will let iPhone users choose from multiple third-party models from companies like Google and Anthropic, including the ability to set custom voices in Siri depending on which external model is responding. According to Blomberg, Apple is referring to this new capability as "Extensions" as part of iOS 27. In test versions of iOS 27, Apple explains that Extensions "allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more." The report explains: Apple Inc. will let users choose from a range of outside artificial intelligence services to power features across its software, building on a strategy to turn its devices into a comprehensive AI platform. Users will be able to select from multiple third-party AI models for tasks like generating and editing text and images, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The change is slated for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 this fall, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. Users will be able to choose from AI models that enable support through their App Store apps. For example, Google and Anthropic could add support for this Extensions system to the Gemini and Claude apps, respectively. Then, users could choose to use those models to power features like Siri, Writing Tools, and more. This is in addition to Apple's deal with Google to use Gemini to power native Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Today's report also follows a Bloomberg report from March, which explained how the Extensions system will work with Siri itself. What's new today is how the system will work with broader Apple Intelligence features beyond the voice assistant. Apple added ChatGPT integration as part of iOS 18, using it as a fallback for world knowledge queries in Siri. ChatGPT is also accessible via things like Image Playground. Speaking of Siri, today's report also says that iOS 27 will let users choose different voices for each AI model: Another enhancement will let users choose different voices for Siri conversations powered by external models. Queries handled by Apple's own system could use one voice, while responses from third-party models -- such as Anthropic's Claude -- could use another. iOS 27 will be introduced at WWDC, which kicks off on June 8. What do you think of Apple's plans for iOS 27 so far? Let us know down in the comments.

iOS 27 Will Let You Pick Claude or Gemini Instead of ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence

Apple has signed a deal with Google and plans to use a Gemini-based model for Apple Intelligence and Siri features in iOS 27, but users will also be able to choose their favorite AI service as an alternative. Apple has already partnered with OpenAI to make ChatGPT available in lieu of Apple's built-in options for Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground on iOS 26, but in Apple's upcoming software updates, other third-party chatbots like Claude and Gemini will also be available. Instead of being limited to ChatGPT, users will select their preferred AI service. Users can choose any AI provider that adds support for Apple's new iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 "Extensions" feature. From Bloomberg: "Extensions allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more," according to a message shown in test versions of the software. Apple also plans to let users choose voices from third-party AI services for Siri, which would make it clearer whether Siri or another AI product like Gemini is responding. Siri would use one voice, while responses from third-party AI options would use another voice. Apple has many other AI-related changes planned for iOS 27, with details available in our iOS 27 roundup.

iOS 27 could let users pick an AI model of their choice for text and image tasks

Apple isn't racing to build the smartest AI; it's building the best stage for others to perform on, and iOS 27 might just be opening night for a very crowded cast. There's going to be a significant shift in how AI works across Apple's devices, and you're going to be at its center. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 27 and its major siblings (iPadOS 27 and macOS 27) will allow users to select from competing third-party AI models to handle tasks across core Apple Intelligence features. I'd like you to think of it as using your TV's remote to set the desired channel and watch it, except the remote is iOS 27 and the channels are some of the most popular AI models that you've been using elsewhere. What exactly is Apple changing here? The feature is internally called "Extensions." It will let you head into Settings and choose which AI service powers the Apple Intelligence tools on your device. These include Writing Tools (for proofreading and summarizing), Image Playground (for generating stickers, funny images, etc.), and, most importantly, Siri. Recommended Videos It's like choosing the default search engine or the default app for streaming music. You should be able to select AI models from providers that opt in through their App Store apps. The report mentions that Apple has already conducted test runs with Google and Anthropic, making Gemini and Claude likely early options. Users will also be able to assign different Siri voices depending on which AI model is handling the backend. How does this matter for you? Until now, OpenAI's ChatGPT has been the only external AI option baked into Apple Intelligence, enjoying exclusive reach across over two billion active devices. However, with multiple AI models on the same device, ChatGPT might lose that position. The report adds how ChatGPT engagement on Apple devices came short of what both companies anticipated. It also looks like they're growing apart, as reports that OpenAI is actively poaching Apple engineers for its own hardware plans have been circulating online. For everyday users, the payoff here is real choice. You'll actually have control over assigning an AI model to a particular Apple Intelligence tool and use it or change it at your will. In my opinion, Apple's pivot from AI builder to AI marketplace is a calculated hedge, allowing the company to monetize access to its ecosystem instead of developing its own AI models from scratch.