Apple Faces Setbacks in Siri AI Development, Delays New Features

Internal meeting reveals quality issues and timeline uncertainties for Siri's enhanced capabilities, with launch now expected in 2026.

Apple senior director Robby Walker acknowledged delays in Siri's AI features during a private all-hands meeting, describing the situation as 'ugly' and 'embarrassing.'
The delayed features, initially tied to the iPhone 16 launch, were showcased in marketing campaigns before being fully functional, leading to internal and public criticism.
Walker cited quality concerns, stating the new Siri features currently work only 60–80% of the time, and emphasized the need for improvements before release.
Demonstrations during the meeting highlighted Siri's ability to locate personal information, manipulate apps via voice commands, and perform context-specific tasks, showcasing its potential.
Apple aims to include the delayed features in iOS 19, expected in 2026, but Walker stressed that the timeline remains uncertain and contingent on readiness.