Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Plan: iOS 19 May Lack ChatGPT-like Capabilities

Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Plan: iOS 19 May Lack ChatGPT-like CapabilitiesBloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, reports that Apple's plans to introduce a more conversational Siri in its iOS system are falling behind schedule. Gurman previously predicted that Apple would launch a ChatGPT-like Siri, powered by a "more advanced large language model," in iOS 19

Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Plan: iOS 19 May Lack ChatGPT-like Capabilities

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, reports that Apple's plans to introduce a more conversational Siri in its iOS system are falling behind schedule. Gurman previously predicted that Apple would launch a ChatGPT-like Siri, powered by a "more advanced large language model," in iOS 19.4. However, the release date has been pushed back and the feature may not even appear at WWDC 2025 in June.

Gurman notes that some internal Apple software engineers believe a full Siri upgrade requires waiting until iOS 20. This means the enhanced Siri initially planned for iOS 19.4 (expected in March or April of next year) is now at least delayed until next fall, or possibly later. This delay further highlights the gap between Apple and its competitors in the generative AI space. Despite significant investment in AI, Apple's progress appears slower than companies like OpenAI.

While a more powerful, ChatGPT-like Siri might not arrive in iOS 19 as initially hoped, Gurman still anticipates iOS 19 will include underlying architectural improvements to Siri, enabling it to handle more complex and advanced queries. This suggests Apple hasn't abandoned its Siri upgrade plans entirely, simply postponing more ambitious features to future iOS versions.

It's worth noting that Apple has already added other new Siri features in recent iOS releases. For example, iOS 18.2 added ChatGPT integration, with Google Gemini integration planned for a subsequent update. iOS 18.5, due in May, is expected to bring screen awareness, deeper understanding of personal context, and more granular app control to Siri. These features were originally slated for iOS 18.4 but were delayed, further illustrating Apple's challenges in AI development.

The delay in Apple's Siri upgrade plan reflects the challenges of developing and deploying complex AI technologies. Creating a truly conversational virtual assistant capable of understanding context and performing complex reasoning requires extensive R&D and sophisticated engineering. Apple may need more time to refine its large language model and seamlessly integrate it into Siri to ensure a stable, reliable, and user-friendly experience.

Meanwhile, Apple's competitors are aggressively advancing their AI efforts. Products like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have demonstrated the immense potential of generative AI and are rapidly changing how people interact with technology. Apple needs to accelerate its pace to avoid falling behind in this crucial area.

Gurman's report also sparks speculation about Apple's future AI strategy. Will Apple adjust its AI investment strategy? Will it seek partnerships to accelerate its progress? These are crucial questions Apple needs to consider.

Apple's cautious approach to AI aligns with its established product strategy. Known for high-quality, user-centric products, Apple typically performs rigorous testing and refinement before releasing new technologies. This might explain the delay in the Siri upgrade. However, in an increasingly competitive market, Apple needs to balance its cautious approach with the need for rapid innovation.

In conclusion, the delay in Apple's Siri upgrade plan reflects both the challenges of developing advanced AI and the need for Apple to balance robustness and innovation in a competitive market. While iOS 19 may not bring a revolutionary Siri update, Apple's continued efforts are noteworthy, and future iOS versions are likely to deliver a more powerful and intelligent Siri experience. The iOS 19 underlying architectural improvements, and the upcoming features in iOS 18.5, signal Apple's ongoing investment and commitment to AI, with the ultimate goal of providing users with superior products and services. Apple's future moves in generative AI will continue to be closely watched by the industry.

Apple's strategic adjustments and future Siri iterations will have significant implications for the entire tech industry. This not only affects Apple's competitiveness and market position but also influences the AI strategies and development of other tech companies. Therefore, monitoring Apple's progress in AI will help us better understand the evolving trends of future technologies. Gurman's report offers a glimpse into these future trends.