Apple may be ready to give Siri a red pen. The tech giant is reportedly planning a Grammarly-like writing tool for the next version of Siri, one of several features expected at WWDC in June. The system would show suggested revisions at the bottom of the screen, where users could accept them individually, accept all, or reject all. It would sit alongside "Write With Siri," a keyboard tool for generating texts, emails, and essays.
If announced at WWDC, the updates would signal Apple's next attempt to close the AI feature gap with Google and Samsung while still leaning on the privacy pitch that has long defined the iPhone. The writing tool is expected to harness on-device processing to ensure user data remains secure, a key differentiator for Apple in the AI arms race.
AI-Generated Shortcuts Could Make iOS More Personal
This news comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who also reports that users will be able to use AI to create shortcuts based on prompts detailing what they want to do. This would be a major expansion of the Shortcuts tool, which previously required the app developer to create the shortcut and get it approved by Apple for use. It follows a similar announcement by Google a few weeks ago, at the launch of Android 17, that lets users create widgets using AI prompts.
Giving users the power to create their own shortcuts could potentially make the iOS experience more unique for each person by allowing them to truly personalize their home screen to maximize what they want. It will, however, depend on how much users can achieve with these prompts, as both Apple and third-party developers may want to limit how much control they can exert. This feature represents a shift from a curated app ecosystem to a more dynamic, user-driven interface.
The third reveal in the report suggests Apple will let users create wallpapers for the lock and home screen using AI. Users have already been able to craft AI wallpapers in other apps and add them to the home and lock screens, but in the next version of iOS, this may be natively supported. Native integration would make the process seamless, allowing real-time generation based on user preferences or even the time of day.
Just a Few of the Many AI Features to Be Added
Reports toward the end of last year suggested that Apple was focused on cleaning up iOS and improving performance. While that may still be happening in the background, there has been a clear shift in focus toward improving the AI feature list on iOS. The company is under pressure to catch up after Samsung and Google introduced aggressive AI features in their latest devices.
Even though the iPhone maker has made some inroads through Apple Intelligence and its integration with ChatGPT, it is considered by many to be behind rivals Samsung and Google on the AI front. To that end, it has enlisted the help of its rival to build the next version of Siri, with Google Gemini as the underlying AI model. Google will reportedly receive $1 billion a year for this partnership, a move that underscores both companies' commitment to dominating the AI assistants space.
The next version of Siri will behave much more like an AI chatbot, with text alongside audio and much better contextual awareness during conversations. Users may even be able to stack multiple requests into a single command, with Siri parsing the conversation and providing answers to each request in turn. This would be a significant leap from current Siri capabilities, which often struggle with follow-up questions or complex commands.
Apple is still keen to find ways to differentiate itself from the competition. One of those ways may be improved privacy. A report on iOS 27 indicates that Apple will let users set how long Siri keeps conversations, with a limited-memory option for privacy-focused users. Additionally, Apple is reportedly exploring on-device AI processing to minimize cloud dependency, ensuring that sensitive data never leaves the user's device.
Another way Apple may beat the competition is by making itself the AI kingmaker. Given its enormous iOS user base, Apple has apparently looked into a flexible approach to which AI model a user chooses, potentially creating a market where AI model makers battle it out. Similar to search, it could also rake in cash from whichever model maker pays to be the default. This strategy could redefine how AI services are delivered on mobile devices, giving Apple unique leverage in negotiations with AI providers.
The implications of these features extend beyond just convenience. For developers, the ability to create AI-powered shortcuts could open new avenues for app integration and user engagement. For users, the combination of AI writing tools, dynamic shortcuts, and personalized wallpapers could transform the iPhone into a more intuitive and responsive device. The improvements to Siri, in particular, could rekindle interest in voice assistants, which have seen waning adoption due to limited capabilities.
Apple's focus on privacy also positions it favorably among consumers who are increasingly wary of data collection. By offering on-device processing, granular conversation retention settings, and optional anonymity, Apple may attract users who have avoided AI features from other companies. However, the company must balance these privacy commitments with the need to deliver robust AI performance, a challenge that has historically slowed its feature rollout.
The WWDC 2026 event, scheduled for June, will likely be a pivotal moment for Apple's AI strategy. With competitors like Google and Samsung pushing boundaries, Apple is under pressure to demonstrate that it can not only match but exceed their offerings while staying true to its core values. The rumored features—if realized—could mark the beginning of a new era for Siri and iOS, one where AI is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the user experience.
Source: TechRepublic News