Apple releases iOS 27 and new Siri AI assistant

Summary

Apple released iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and macOS 27 'Golden Gate' on September 14, 2026. The update's headline feature is the long-awaited AI-powered Siri redesign. The new Siri can read the screen, access personal data across apps, and archive chat history in a separate application.

Why it matters

This is Apple's most comprehensive move in the AI assistant space. Context-aware and screen-reading capabilities, which competitors like Google and Microsoft have offered for years, have finally arrived for Apple. However, distribution is subject to strict limitations. Siri AI only works on iPhone 15 Pro or newer models (or M1 and later Mac/iPad devices). The EU and China were excluded from the launch. The system starts with English only. This turns the 'new Siri' from a universal platform update into a feature exclusive to a limited region and premium hardware.

Highlights

• Siri AI can read on-screen content and pull data across apps. A standalone app for archiving past conversations is also available.
• macOS 27 'Golden Gate' completely drops support for Intel-based Macs. Siri AI only works on Apple Silicon or iPhone 15 Pro and later hardware.
• The EU and China were excluded from the launch. No timeline has been announced for Arabic support. French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish support are queued for October.

Critical take

The screen awareness, cross-app queries, and chat log marketed as revolutionary are actually basic features. Google's Gemini and Microsoft's Copilot offered these capabilities years ago. Hardware restrictions, regional bans, and an English-first rollout leave the average global user with only the 'Liquid Glass' visual refresh. The genuinely new AI features remain a niche, premium, and geographically limited add-on.