Apple could partner with major apps to prepare for next-generation AI-powered smarter Siri

Apple Siri

Apple is working closely with several popular app developers as it finalises the next generation of Siri, its voice assistant. The update centres on the new App Intents system, which will allow deeper integration between Siri, Apple Intelligence, and third-party apps, marking a significant shift in how users interact with their devices.

The App Intents framework isn’t entirely new. It’s been part of Apple’s ecosystem for years, underpinning features like Shortcuts, Spotlight, and widgets. However, the forthcoming version will enhance Siri’s personal context understanding, on-screen awareness, and ability to perform in-app actions more seamlessly. This upgrade promises a more intuitive and powerful assistant experience.

Developers will have a limited window to update their apps ahead of the public rollout, which is expected to begin with Apple’s developer beta program. Apple has included a note in its developer documentation indicating that some Siri integration features remain under development and will be released in a future software update.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been collaborating with the teams behind eight major iOS apps to develop App Intents support and ensure compatibility with the new Siri. These apps include Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This move signals Apple’s intention to have key everyday apps ready for seamless voice-driven interaction at launch.

Interestingly, Gurman also reveals that Apple has tested the upgraded Siri with “a few games,” suggesting that the new assistant could play a role in gaming experiences, an unexpected but potentially valuable expansion of Siri’s reach. Apple’s own native apps, of course, are being redesigned to take full advantage of the new system as well.

This update comes as Apple’s Siri upgrade has faced delays. Initially announced at WWDC 2024 with a planned launch by spring 2025, the project has encountered technical challenges. The primary difficulty appears to be blending the power of new large language models with the existing Siri infrastructure, a hybrid approach designed to maintain legacy support while introducing advanced AI capabilities.

Apple aims to deliver a smarter, more responsive Siri that goes beyond simple voice commands to understand context, execute complex tasks, and integrate deeply across apps and the system. The collaboration with major app developers is a critical step in realising that vision, ensuring that when the upgrade arrives, users can immediately benefit from a richer voice assistant experience across the apps they use daily.

With the developer beta expected soon, app creators are preparing to update their software accordingly, setting the stage for what could be a significant leap in how Siri assists users.