Apple launches iOS 27... and Siri AI leads the biggest transformation for the smart assistant
- The new assistant understands personal context and screen content, executing tasks across apps
- Daily limits for some cloud features... with expanded access available for a fee in the future
Apple has released the public versions of its new operating systems for its devices, led by iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27, alongside macOS 27, known as macOS Golden Gate, following months of beta testing.
The new AI-powered assistant, Siri AI, tops the list of features in these updates. Apple has redesigned its assistant to be more capable of conducting conversations, understanding the user’s personal context, and leveraging information stored on their devices. It can also interpret what is displayed on the screen and perform actions within apps.
Siri AI can utilize personal context to find information the user needs, such as a specific photo, email, or saved note. It can also execute actions within apps, including drafting an email or editing and sharing a set of photos.
Interaction with the assistant is now closer to natural conversation, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and continue the dialogue. Conversations are saved in a dedicated app, enabling users to return to them and resume later.
Apple is initially rolling out Siri AI in English on eligible devices on a trial basis. Running it requires a device that supports the Apple Intelligence platform, with the device language and Siri set to a supported language.
Siri AI is initially unavailable on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27 in the European Union.
New Features
iOS 27 includes a wide range of improvements, including enhancements to the Liquid Glass design, new features powered by Apple Intelligence, and expanded tools for parental controls and child protection.
The company has added new smart tools for photo editing, allowing users to reframe images after capture, expand their borders, and remove distracting elements with greater precision.
It has also added Visual Intelligence to the camera, enabling users to search, ask questions, and perform actions based on what appears in front of the phone’s lens.
iOS 27 is compatible with a wide range of iPhone models, but running Siri AI requires a device that supports Apple Intelligence, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models and later.
Device Updates
iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, in turn, bring a range of new AI features to eligible devices, along with improvements in apps, user experience, and file and window management.
watchOS 27 adds new health and fitness features and enhances the user experience, alongside Apple Intelligence capabilities on eligible devices.
According to the feature, devices compatible with Apple Intelligence include the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip, iPads and Macs with eligible processors, Apple Vision Pro, and recent Apple Watch models when paired with an eligible iPhone.
Two Delayed Features
The initial release of iOS 27 does not include two features that were available during beta testing, after Apple decided to give them more time for testing and refinement before launching them in a future update.
The first involves Smart Suggestions within the Messages app, which uses conversation context to offer suggested actions to the user. The second relates to password management, detecting compromised passwords with the help of Apple Intelligence and the Safari browser.
The company has not announced an official release date for these two features.
Usage Limits
Among the most significant developments related to AI services, Apple confirmed that certain features of Apple Intelligence, which rely on server-based models, will be subject to daily usage limits.
These features include, but are not limited to, Siri AI, intelligent photo editing tools, Image Playground, and the AFM 3 Cloud models used in the Shortcuts app.
The company clarified that daily limits may vary depending on the feature, the complexity of the request, system demand and its policies, and other factors.
Apple emphasized that expanded access to these features will be available for a fee in the future, without yet disclosing the cost or the implementation date.
