Apple Unveils AI-Powered Siri with Delayed EU Launch
Apple announced iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, featuring an AI-enhanced Siri powered by Google's Gemini. The assistant gains contextual understanding and visual capabilities, but its rollout in the EU and China is postponed due to regulatory issues, with no firm timeline.
Key points
- Apple announced iOS 27 with an AI-enhanced Siri powered by Google's Gemini at WWDC 2026.
- The EU and China launch of Siri AI is delayed due to regulatory issues, particularly the Digital Markets Act in the EU.
- Siri AI gains contextual understanding and visual capabilities, allowing it to analyze content through the iPhone camera and perform actions based on screen content.
- Apple is working with regulators to resolve the issues but has not provided a timeline for the EU and China launch.
- The global rollout of iOS 27 with Siri AI is expected to begin this fall, but the exact date is uncertain.
Apple used its Worldwide Developers Conference 2026 to officially introduce iOS 27 and a significant overhaul of its Siri virtual assistant. Branded as Siri AI, the updated assistant is powered by Google's Gemini models, integrating advanced natural language processing and on-screen awareness. This allows Siri to understand context across apps and visually analyze content through the iPhone camera, offering functionalities akin to Google Lens for tasks like object identification and bill splitting.
Key new features include a dedicated Siri app with a chatbot interface and the ability to perform actions based on what's visible on screen. However, the global rollout faces delays, particularly in the European Union and China. Apple cited regulatory challenges, specifically the Digital Markets Act in the EU, as the reason for not releasing Siri AI in these regions concurrently with the iOS 27 launch expected this fall. The company stated it is working with regulators but has not provided a timeline for availability in affected territories.
Sources
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