Sources inside Apple estimate that this updated version will not be available before iOS 20, scheduled for the end of 2026. The Siri update could even be pushed back to 2027.

Siri should then benefit from a major overhaul, thanks to the fusion of Siri’s current architecture with large-scale advanced language models.

The idea, of course, is to be able to offer a more natural and intuitive user experience than ever before to Apple device owners.

This evolution will, for example, enable Siri to finally understand and process more sophisticated queries and interact contextually with third-party applications.

For example, Siri could write messages, plan itineraries or manage tasks by taking into account each user’s preferences.

These delays are attributed to technical challenges, compounded by the departure of some employees to competing companies.

An interim update is expected this year to limit the damage, but it will be hard-pressed to keep Apple on par with the competition, which is wasting no time.

Today, in the field of AI, Apple has been overtaken by Google, with Gemini (a much smarter version of Google Assistant), and by Amazon, with Alexa+ (the AI-enhanced version of Alexa, currently only available in the US).

In addition, Apple has to contend with ChatGPT, which already offers a highly advanced conversational voice mode.

Ironically, ChatGPT is now integrated into Apple Intelligence and also … Siri (until something better comes along, perhaps?)