Cupertino, CA – Apple has announced a delay in the release of its enhanced AI voice assistant, 'Apple Intelligence Siri,' citing longer-than-expected development timelines for its personalized features. The announcement, made in an official statement to international media and podcasts, pushes the launch to next year.
The delay comes after Apple unveiled its comprehensive AI system, 'Apple Intelligence,' at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, which included a revamped Siri integrated with ChatGPT. Originally slated for release with iOS 18.4 next month, the personalized Siri feature has now been postponed.
Industry analysts speculate that Apple's AI division may be grappling with internal challenges, including leadership and staffing issues. However, Apple has not provided specific reasons for the delay. This setback follows recent incidents of Apple's AI services providing inaccurate information, leading to temporary suspensions. In January, the 'News Alerts and Summaries' service was halted after the AI incorrectly reported a suspect's suicide in a news summary.
Despite the delay, there are suggestions that Apple might align the Siri launch with the release of iOS 19 or the highly anticipated iOS 20 in 2027.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics, a frontrunner in the AI smartphone market, continues to expand its AI capabilities with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series and the 'Awesome AI' features in the Galaxy A56/A36 models. Market research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts that by 2028, 90% of smartphones priced above $250 will feature generative AI.
The delay poses a potential competitive challenge for Apple, as noted by CNBC, which highlighted the advancements of competitors like Amazon's Alexa and Google's Gemini. The postponement raises questions about Apple's strategy in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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