Apple Ships iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate With Siri AI

Introduction

Apple has released its major 2026 operating-system updates: iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27. The headline change across most of the releases is Siri AI, a large-language-model-based redesign intended to make Siri more aware of natural language, the current screen, and a user’s personal history.

What is new

• A more capable Siri: Siri AI can explain what is displayed on screen, search information from a user’s older emails and messages, and interact directly with applications when developers have added the necessary support. Apple is also introducing a standalone Siri app, giving the assistant a more conventional chatbot-style home.
• A tiered model architecture: On-device processing uses AFM 3 Core, a model with roughly 3 billion parameters, and AFM 3 Core Advanced. The latter uses a sparse design and activates about 1 to 4 billion parameters depending on the request. Cloud options include AFM 3 Cloud, ADM 3 Cloud (Image), and AFM 3 Cloud Pro.
• More generative workflows: Users can ask the system to create Shortcuts automations or Safari extensions from a prompt. Apple is also adding further photo-editing capabilities.
• A more adjustable Liquid Glass: iOS and macOS now offer a transparency control, allowing users to make the interface more translucent or more opaque. On macOS, Apple has made numerous smaller visual and usability changes in response to feedback since Liquid Glass was introduced.
• Better desktop display support: macOS now supports HDR for all system UI elements and offers stronger support for a broader selection of external-monitor modes.

The companion updates are more limited. watchOS 27 adds Siri AI, the Siri app, a new watch face, and expanded health and fitness features, including perimenopause and menopause notifications and tracking. It also removes a few lightly used functions, including Walkie Talkie. visionOS 27 adds Siri AI, the Siri app, a Thórsmörk environment, improved screen recording, and smaller interface refinements. tvOS 27 does not include Siri AI; its focus is on Podcasts, Music, and larger text options.

Compatibility and implications

iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11 and newer, but Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 16, or a later model. Golden Gate requires an M-series Mac. It is also the last macOS release to support Rosetta, the compatibility layer that lets Apple Silicon Macs run older Intel applications. Apple has made an exception for older Intel-based games, but many unmaintained applications may stop working after this cycle.

The significance of these releases is less about a dramatic visual redesign than about moving generative AI into everyday system tasks. Siri’s ability to use personal context and coordinate with applications will be the practical test of Apple’s approach. The Liquid Glass adjustments and display improvements, meanwhile, show Apple responding to feedback while preserving the broader design direction.

Source: Ars Technica AI