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Apple says a redesigned Siri will arrive in 2026 as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative. Tim Cook calls development "good progress," and the company is gearing up to add context-aware, app-level intelligence to iPhone and macOS.
Siri 2.0: Tim Cook says it's on track for 2026
On the company’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Tim Cook confirmed that the next-generation Siri — rebranded under Apple Intelligence — remains slated for a 2026 rollout. His message was short and clear: Apple is moving forward and making meaningful progress.
What Apple plans to ship in Spring 2026
Apple expects many of the Apple Intelligence features to arrive with a spring iOS update (likely iOS 26.4). The headline capabilities include:
- In-app Actions — Siri will execute context-based tasks inside supported apps, like adding items to a grocery list, sending messages, or controlling playback by voice.
- Personal Context Awareness — The assistant will use on-device personal data to deliver tailored help, such as searching Messages for a podcast recommendation you once received.
- On-Screen Awareness — Siri will be able to read and act on what’s displayed on the screen, enabling more natural, agent-like interactions.
macOS already offers a glimpse: Sky and third-party AI
Some of these capabilities are familiar to macOS users through Sky, an AI assistant that runs in a floating window. Sky can understand screen content, perform cross-app actions (for example, summarize a webpage and send that summary via Messages), and let users build custom automations. Notably, OpenAI acquired Software Applications Incorporated — the company behind Sky — signaling growing commercial interest in desktop AI tools.
Model integration and open standards
Today, Siri under Apple Intelligence includes an integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Asked about broader model support, Tim Cook said Apple intends to "integrate with more people over time," hinting at a future with multiple partner models. That fits a larger industry trend toward interoperability, such as Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), which aims to let apps and models work together more seamlessly.
Not all smooth sailing: performance and personnel challenges
Apple’s path isn’t without hurdles. Reports in August from Bloomberg described engineering challenges getting Siri to behave reliably across apps and in sensitive scenarios like banking. Leadership changes add complication: Ke Yang, who briefly led Apple’s Answers, Knowledge and Information (AKI) team, is reportedly leaving for Meta — a reminder that building AI at scale remains a competitive, talent-driven effort.
Still, the broad picture is clear: Apple is doubling down on context-aware intelligence, app-level actions, and openness to third-party models. Expect more concrete demos and integration announcements as the company prepares for the 2026 Siri launch.
Source: wccftech
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