Apple Intelligence-Powered Siri Features May Face Delay Until May

Apple is reportedly planning to postpone some of Siri’s upcoming AI-powered capabilities. According to a Bloomberg report, the much-anticipated Siri enhancements, initially set to debut with the iOS 18.4 update in April, may now be delayed until May or later.

The report suggests that Apple is considering deferring or limiting certain new Siri functionalities until iOS 18.5, which is expected to roll out in May. While Apple had planned to introduce Apple Intelligence-powered improvements with iOS 18.4, the development team has encountered issues in fine-tuning these features. Many Apple employees testing the new Siri have reported inconsistencies in how some of the new features function, leading to the potential delay.

Uncertainty Over Siri’s iOS 18.4 Features

It remains unclear which Siri features, if any, will still be included in iOS 18.4. While the update itself is scheduled for an April release, Apple may launch the first developer beta version as early as next week. If Apple needs additional time to refine Siri’s AI capabilities, certain features may be pushed back to a later iOS version.

Apple Intelligence-Powered Siri: Expected Features

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered enhancements coming to iOS 18. Among the most notable upgrades are new Siri capabilities designed to provide a more personalized, intelligent, and efficient experience for users.

Here are some of the expected Siri upgrades that could debut with iOS 18.4 or iOS 18.5:

1. On-Screen Awareness for Smarter Assistance

One of the most anticipated AI-driven improvements is on-screen awareness, allowing Siri to recognize and interact with content displayed on the iPhone screen. This feature aims to make Siri more intuitive and helpful.

For instance, if a friend shares their new address in a Messages conversation, users can simply ask, "Add this address to their contact," and Siri will handle it seamlessly without requiring additional input. This capability enhances Siri’s usability by reducing the number of steps needed to complete tasks.

2. In-App Actions Without Opening Apps

Apple is integrating a new platform called App Intents, which will enable Siri to execute complex tasks within apps without requiring users to manually open them.

For example, users will be able to:

• Ask Siri to find a specific photo and make edits to it.

• Save an edited photo to a chosen folder in the Files app.

• Perform actions within third-party apps without switching between multiple screens.

This feature aims to make multitasking more efficient and reduce the time spent navigating different apps for simple actions.

3. Personalized Responses Based on User Context

Apple Intelligence is also expected to introduce on-device personalisation, allowing Siri to interpret emails, messages, calendar events, photos, and documents. This capability will enable context-aware responses, making Siri more intelligent in handling user requests.

For example, if a user is filling out an online form and needs their driver’s license number, they can ask Siri to retrieve it from a saved image of their license without manually searching for it.

Why Apple Is Delaying Siri’s AI Upgrades

Apple has always prioritized user experience and reliability over rushed releases, and this delay suggests the company wants to ensure Siri’s new features work seamlessly across all devices. Some potential reasons for the delay include:

• Inconsistencies in feature performance reported by employees during internal testing.

• The need for additional fine-tuning to enhance accuracy and user experience.

• Ensuring Siri’s AI-driven personalisation remains private and secure, aligning with Apple’s focus on data protection.

Apple Intelligence-Powered Siri: Competing with AI Assistants

Apple is ramping up its AI efforts to compete with other advanced AI-driven assistants such as:

• Google Assistant (integrating Gemini AI).

• Samsung’s Bixby (expected to receive AI enhancements).

• Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT integration in various applications.

By refining Siri’s AI-powered functions, Apple aims to offer a more context-aware, user-friendly, and privacy-focused assistant that seamlessly integrates with iOS and iPadOS devices.

Conclusion: What to Expect in the Coming Updates

While iOS 18.4 may still introduce some Apple Intelligence-powered features, the full range of Siri’s AI capabilities might only arrive with iOS 18.5 in May. Apple is expected to provide more details and beta updates for developers in the coming weeks.

With Apple Intelligence, Siri is set to become a more powerful and proactive assistant, helping users complete tasks more efficiently and accurately. However, Apple’s commitment to quality means that some of these game-changing features may take a little longer to reach consumers.