Apple’s revamped Siri and the Rise of App Intents: What Developers and Users Need to Know
Apple is poised to fundamentally change how you interact with your iPhone, iPad, and mac. The upcoming overhaul of Siri, powered by the new App Intents system and Apple Intelligence, represents a notable leap forward in voice assistant technology. However, this evolution also introduces new considerations for app developers and a slightly delayed timeline for public release.
Understanding App Intents and the New Siri
App Intents are designed to seamlessly connect your favorite apps with Siri and Apple Intelligence. This means you’ll be able to initiate actions within apps using just your voice, going far beyond simple requests. For years, App Intents have been the foundation for features like Shortcuts, Spotlight searches, and widgets. Now, Apple is expanding their capabilities to unlock a more intuitive and powerful Siri experience.
Currently, Apple acknowledges that key features like Siri’s personal context understanding, onscreen awareness, and in-app actions are still under development. A future software update will deliver these enhancements, promising a more smart and responsive assistant.
What This Means for App Developers
All app developers will soon have a limited timeframe to prepare their applications for the new Siri. This readiness will likely occur through Apple’s developer beta program, allowing for testing and refinement before the public launch.
This update adds to the existing workload for developers already adapting to Apple’s evolving design language in iOS 18 and beyond. Successfully integrating App Intents will be crucial for ensuring your app remains competitive and user-pleasant.
Early Adopters and Apple’s Partnerships
Apple isn’t starting from scratch. The company is actively collaborating with developers of popular iOS apps to accelerate the adoption of App Intents. According to reports,these initial partners include:
Uber
AllTrails
Threads
Temu
Amazon
YouTube
facebook
WhatsApp
Interestingly,Apple is also testing the upgraded Siri with a selection of games,hinting at potential new interactive experiences. Naturally, Apple is also developing the system with its own suite of applications.
A Delayed Launch and the Challenges of Hybrid AI
The rollout of the new Siri has faced some delays. Originally announced at WWDC 2024 with a planned spring release, the launch is now anticipated for early next year. The primary challenge lies in creating a hybrid system that effectively combines new large language models with the existing infrastructure of the original Siri.
This mirrors a similar experience for Amazon, whose recent Alexa+ launch on Echo devices has been met with reports of reduced reliability in performing basic tasks.This highlights the complexities of transitioning to more advanced AI systems.
Staying Informed
For in-depth analysis and updates on Apple’s developments, consider subscribing to industry newsletters like Mark Gurman’s Power On for bloomberg.
This represents a significant shift in how you’ll interact with your Apple devices. By embracing App Intents and the new Siri, developers can create more engaging and intuitive experiences for their users, while Apple continues to push the boundaries of voice assistant technology.
