Apple is reportedly facing potential delays in the rollout of the upgraded Siri due to ongoing software bugs and engineering challenges. The AI-equipped Siri was first introduced in June 2024, showcasing a suite of new features and improved conversational abilities, with an anticipated launch in April. However, new information indicates that the company may postpone this release until May or later. The Siri upgrade is part of Apple’s broader Apple Intelligence suite, which has been gradually released since October 2024.
AI-Powered Siri to Reportedly Be Delayed Till May
A report from Bloomberg, written by Mark Gurman, reveals that the highly anticipated AI enhancements for the Siri virtual assistant are encountering technical problems. According to sources familiar with the situation, Apple is reassessing the timeline for releasing the upgraded features.
The new functionalities for Siri were first announced in June 2024, when Apple outlined three significant improvements. The virtual assistant was set to personalize its responses by using personal data, manage specific apps to execute complex tasks, and interpret user queries based on device context. Additionally, Siri was expected to engage in more natural language conversations, moving closer to a human-like interaction.
These enhancements are crucial for Siri, which has been perceived as lagging behind its competitors in the AI assistant market. However, any delay could prolong the time before users can access the upgraded features.
Initially, Apple had intended to introduce the revamped Siri with the iOS 18.4 update, slated for release in April. Reports now suggest that this may be shifted to May with the subsequent iOS 18.5 update. It is also possible that the AI features could be partially integrated into the iOS 18.4 update, albeit with some functionalities disabled.
While the specifics of the issues affecting Siri remain unclear, Gurman noted that internal testing has revealed inconsistent performance from the AI capabilities. Furthermore, multiple bugs have compounded the challenges faced by the development team. Apple is reportedly expediting efforts to resolve these issues in time for the iOS 18.4 developer beta, which is expected to launch next week—tightening the timeline considerably.
