Ios 27 beta 2: apple boosts siri speed, adds 'type to siri'
Apple’s latest iOS 27 developer beta 2 has delivered a surprisingly swift update to Siri, addressing a key performance bottleneck that left many users feeling frustrated with the AI assistant’s sluggishness compared to competitors like Gemini.
A speed boost, but with a caveat
Initial impressions of iOS 27 beta 1 revealed Siri operating noticeably slower than Google’s Gemini, particularly when used as an on-device AI assistant on a Pixel 6 Pro. The immediate reaction from the tech community – and frankly, from anyone accustomed to expecting a reasonable response – was a tinge of disappointment. However, Apple appears to have responded, subtly tweaking the underlying algorithms to deliver a demonstrably faster Siri experience.
New 'type to siri' feature simplifies interaction
Beyond the speed improvements, the update introduces a welcome addition: a dedicated ‘Type to Siri’ button directly above the QWERTY keyboard in Messages, Notes, and Mail. This allows users to dictate their commands with a single tap – a practical enhancement for those who frequently leverage Siri for quick tasks. It’s a small tweak, but one that elevates the user experience.
Financial data still out of reach
Despite the performance gains, limitations remain. As with the initial beta, Siri’s access to historical stock prices – a feature Gemini readily provides – remains restricted. Apple’s focus, at this stage, is on optimizing Siri for general world knowledge. The reasoning? Siri is still in a beta phase and relying on a beta version of iOS, which inherently restricts its data sources.
A pixel-powered comparison
The disparity highlights the ongoing competition in the AI assistant landscape. While Siri is catching up, tools like Gemini, readily available on devices like the Pixel 6 Pro, continue to offer a more comprehensive suite of capabilities. It’s a reminder that convenience and functionality aren’t always synonymous with the latest operating system.
Moving forward: fine-tuning on the horizon
Apple is clearly committed to refining Siri. As the public release of iOS 27 nears, we anticipate further improvements, potentially including the ability to access historical stock data. For now, users seeking immediate stock insights can turn to alternative assistants, such as Gemini or those available through dedicated apps. The iPhone 15 Pro models – and those slated for future releases – will be the first to benefit from a fully realized Siri experience, powered by Apple Intelligence.