Apple's AI Struggles Continue: Concerns Grow Over New Siri's Performance in iOS 26.4
8 Sources
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It's getting harder to believe Apple can deliver on the new Siri
For a very long time, I urged patience with Apple's efforts to turn Siri into a truly intelligent assistant. Back in 2023, I argued that the stakes were higher for Siri than for primarily text-based AI systems like ChatGPT. I've also said that Apple's commitment to privacy poses a far greater
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The big Apple Intelligence upgrade to Siri is still on the way, but Apple's own testers are raising the alarm
iOS 26 will bring a big Siri update in the new year -- but there's cause for concern iOS 26 should finally deliver Apple's long-promised Siri upgrade in the new year, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims things are still looking grim in Cupertino for this update. This update, informally known as
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Concerns grow over 'new' Siri's performance, as Apple's AI struggles continue
iOS 26.4 was supposed to bring a new dawn for Siri, but internal testers are reportedly worried. Apple made its belated entry to the AI market last year, with its Apple Intelligence platform limping out of the starting gate a month and a half after the iPhone 16. Even then, the software was
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AppleInsider.com
Apple's ability to pull off its long-promised overhaul of Siri is being questioned, with a report claiming the digital assistant isn't working as well as it should for a future iOS 26 update. The iOS 18 introduction of Apple Intelligence was supposed to also bring in some much-needed upgrades to
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Apple employees have 'concerns' over Siri performance in early iOS 26.4 builds: report - 9to5Mac
Early next year, Apple is set to debut its new AI-infused Siri as part of iOS 26.4 - after well over a year of delays. However, despite all of the additional time the company had to rethink its approach, some Apple engineers testing the software reportedly have concerns as it stands today. It's
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Apple Employees Don't Trust the New Siri Coming in iOS 26.4 - Phandroid
Apple employees are sounding alarms about the revamped Siri scheduled for iOS 26.4 next spring, according to internal reports. According to a report in Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter, despite over a year of delays meant to perfect the AI-powered assistant, staff testers and engineers say the
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Some Apple Engineers Voice Concerns About The Performance Of The New AI-Powered Siri In Early Builds Of iOS 26.4
Apple's competitiveness in the wider sphere of consumer tech hinges on its ongoing efforts to imbue utilitarian, AI-driven features to its bespoke voice assistant, Siri. Yet, as per some anecdotes that are now leaking out of its labyrinthine halls, Apple's Siri revamp is facing ongoing performance
[8]
You know, I'm starting to think Apple's Siri is actually cursed
Poor old Siri. Apple's infamous voice assistant has had a bumpy few years, with competitors like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant racing ahead. And then came the advent of AI, threatening to further relegate Siri to irrelevance. Last year, Apple responded to the threat with big talk. The
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Apple's long-awaited Siri upgrade faces potential setbacks as internal testers raise concerns about its performance in iOS 26.4. The company's AI efforts continue to lag behind competitors, putting pressure on Apple to deliver a significant improvement.
Apple's AI Woes: Siri Upgrade Faces Setbacks
Apple's journey to revamp its AI capabilities has been fraught with challenges, and the latest reports suggest that the tech giant's struggles are far from over. The much-anticipated upgrade to Siri, initially promised as part of the Apple Intelligence platform introduced in 2024, has faced multiple delays and is now slated for release in iOS 26.4, expected in spring 2026
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Source: 9to5Mac
Internal Concerns and Performance Issues
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple employees testing iOS 26.4 have expressed concerns about Siri's performance
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. While specific details are scarce, these worries suggest that the new Siri may not be meeting the high expectations set for it. The stakes are particularly high given the extended development time and the rapid advancements made by competitors in the AI space1
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Source: Phandroid
Key Features and Expectations
The revamped Siri is expected to introduce several crucial improvements:
- Personal Context: Ability to draw key details from users' apps
- On-screen Awareness: Understanding and interacting with visible content
- In-app Task Completion: Executing complex tasks within applications
These features aim to transform Siri into a truly intelligent assistant, capable of understanding context and performing more sophisticated tasks
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Source: Tom's Guide
Apple's AI Talent Exodus
Compounding Apple's AI challenges is a reported exodus of talent from its AI division. The company is actively seeking a replacement for John Giannandrea to lead its AI efforts, and senior AI executive Robby Walker is set to depart
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. This brain drain could further impact Apple's ability to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape5
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Two-Pronged Approach to Siri Development
Reports suggest that Apple has two teams working on different approaches for the new Siri:
- On-device Models: Leveraging Apple's local processing capabilities
- Google Gemini Integration: Utilizing Google's AI through Private Cloud Compute
It remains unclear which approach is being tested in the current iOS 26.4 builds
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.The Road Ahead
As Apple races to catch up with competitors like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google's Gemini, the pressure to deliver a significantly improved Siri is mounting. The extended development time has only raised expectations, with users and industry observers alike anticipating a dramatic leap in Siri's capabilities
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.While there's still time for Apple to address the reported issues before the spring 2026 release, the company faces an uphill battle in the AI arena. The success or failure of the new Siri could have far-reaching implications for Apple's position in the competitive tech landscape and its ability to retain top AI talent
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