Apple's WWDC 2026: Siri AI Overhaul and iOS 27 Revealed
Apple unveiled significant updates to Siri AI, iOS 27, and more during its WWDC 2026 event. Here’s what you need to know about the new features and improvements.
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Apple kicked off its WWDC 2026 event at Apple Park with a flurry of updates aimed at reasserting itself in the AI space, particularly with Siri. The tech giant also showcased new features for iOS 27, parental controls, and more.
Siri AI Overhaul
Apple made a big push to improve its long-standing Siri assistant by integrating Google Gemini under the hood. According to Apple, these updates will make Siri more capable, conversational, and compatible with visual intelligence. The new Siri will be housed in a standalone app, enhancing its functionality across various applications.
Apple emphasized its privacy-centric approach to AI, stating that data is only used to execute user requests. Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering, highlighted Apple's commitment to privacy and transparency during the keynote.
Potential Foldable iPhone Tease
While no major announcements were made regarding a foldable iPhone, researcher @M1Astra found references in iOS 27 developer beta files that hint at potential folding device capabilities. Terms like “foldState” and “angleDegrees” suggest Apple may be exploring new form factors for future devices.
Apple Intelligence Updates
To complement the Siri AI overhaul, Apple introduced a range of new features under its Apple Intelligence umbrella. These include tab management in Safari, one-tap password updates, and context-awareness across apps like Messages and Phone. The tech giant also collaborated with Google to develop advanced foundation models that power these integrated experiences.
Liquid Glass Rollbacks
Apple acknowledged some users' dissatisfaction with the Liquid Glass design changes from last year. Now, users can opt-in for more or less of these elements within their apps, offering a customizable experience. The company also showcased a new layered approach to Liquid Glass in its applications.
Other iOS 27 Features
The upcoming iOS update will bring several smaller but noteworthy changes, including full-screen homepage widgets and separate volume controls for alarms, timers, and alerts. Weather app design tweaks and performance improvements are also on the horizon.
New Parental Controls
Apple introduced a suite of tools designed to help parents manage their children's device usage more effectively. These include restrictions on who can be called, apps accessed, and websites visited. By default, devices for kids under 13 will have the “Ask to Browse” feature enabled.
Search Overhaul
The search function in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS received a significant update. Apple rebuilt the foundation of search that powers Spotlight, Photos, and Mail, aiming to make searches more efficient and accurate.
New AI Features for Photos App
Apple’s Photos app is getting new AI tools like spatial “Reframe” and “Extend,” which allow users to adjust image perspectives and aspect ratios. The popular “Cleanup” tool is also seeing upgrades, offering better quality infill with generative AI.
Systemwide Dictation Experience
A new systemwide dictation experience will be built into the keyboard on iOS 27, correcting spellings, punctuation, and capitalization. This update aims to compete with popular AI dictation apps like Wispr Flow and Willow.
Subscription Bundles for App Store
Developers can now partner to offer access to different subscriptions at a lower bundled price on the App Store. Personalized recommendations based on user interests and behavior will also be introduced, helping developers reach potential customers more effectively.
Tim Cook's Farewell Message
In his final WWDC keynote as CEO, Tim Cook reflected on his time at Apple and expressed confidence in the company’s future. He highlighted the mission to enrich people’s lives with incredible capabilities and thanked the teams for their creativity, care, and conviction.
