Hey, Siri: Plug into my app like you said you'd do way back in 2024

What happened

On Tuesday, Apple opened beta (early test) versions of its new operating systems to developers. These betas let developers try expanded Siri AI integration in their apps. Apple expects to accept App Store submissions using these tools next spring.

Key facts

• Apple first promised deeper third-party Siri access in 2024, nearly three years ago.
• The test versions are iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3.
• Siri first appeared in 2011 and got limited app access in 2016.
• Siri AI is not yet available on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS in the EU.

Why Siri has been slow to improve

Siri was long seen as a simple helper for timers, alarms, weather, and calls. Apple Intelligence, its set of AI features, was delayed in parts, and Apple was sued in 2025 over claims of misleading marketing. Apple then made changes to its machine learning team and showed a Siri makeover in June.

Why it matters

Expert Roberto Gutierrez says Siri AI is the first version that understands context and can link actions across apps. But Siri can only use what apps share through App Intents. The bigger change may be letting outside AI models, such as Claude and Gemini, plug into Siri. Apple has not yet shared benchmarks that compare its own AI models with open alternatives, which makes choices harder for developers.

What to watch

• Whether Apple starts accepting App Store submissions next spring.
• When Traditional Chinese support arrives, expected by the end of 2026.
• Whether Apple reaches a deal with the EU so Siri AI can launch there.
• Whether Apple publishes benchmarks comparing its AI models with open-weight models.