Apple Trails Rivals with ChatGPT-Like Siri App Still in Testing
News Summary
Bloomberg reported that Apple is internally testing a ChatGPT-like app, code-named “Veritas” (Latin for “truth”), allowing engineers to experiment with new Siri features such as searching emails and music or performing in-app tasks like photo editing. This internal tool aims to accelerate the refinement of Siri's capabilities. Currently, the app is for internal use only, with no immediate plans for a consumer release. This highlights Apple's belated entry into generative AI, contrasting sharply with rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Microsoft's Copilot, which are already widely deployed in consumer-facing products. Apple's cautious stance on AI was evident at the iPhone 17 launch, where executives prioritized chip performance and design upgrades. Analysts suggest that if Apple keeps its ambitious AI features in testing for too long, it risks ceding the definition of consumer AI expectations to competitors and losing market relevance. Nevertheless, the internal app signals Apple's recognition of the stakes, with an upgraded Siri expected to launch as early as March 2026 to redefine perceptions of the company's AI strategy.
Background
Apple's Siri assistant has long faced criticism for its limited functionality and perceived lack of intelligence, often seen as lagging behind advancements in artificial intelligence. Concurrently, since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, generative AI technology has rapidly emerged as a central focus in the tech industry, being widely integrated into various consumer and enterprise applications. Tech giants like Microsoft and Google have swiftly incorporated generative AI into their core product lines, launching powerful AI assistants such as Copilot and Gemini, and establishing leading positions in the market. This has significantly raised consumer expectations for AI assistants, placing immense competitive pressure on Apple to rapidly upgrade Siri and maintain its market competitiveness.
In-Depth AI Insights
What are the deeper implications of Apple's prolonged