Apple to Spotlight iOS 19 as Siri Revamp Slows Amid Internal Hesitations and EU Pressure
Apple may focus on iOS 19 updates, as Siri revamp faces delays and EU rules push for third-party assistant options.
Apple is gearing up for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), scheduled to take place from June 9 to 13, and this year’s keynote may put iOS 19 front and center—while upgrades to Siri could be noticeably absent.
Siri's Evolution on Hold
While Apple had previously outlined plans to integrate advanced artificial intelligence features into Siri through its upcoming "Apple Intelligence" platform, the rollout of those enhancements—including on-screen awareness and contextual understanding—has reportedly been delayed.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, internal resistance is partly to blame. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, has reportedly expressed skepticism about AI’s role as a "core capability" at Apple, slowing the company’s momentum in that direction.
A separate report by 9to5Mac further suggests that Apple's traditional product development philosophy—favoring fully-formed visions over iterative experimentation—may be hampering its ability to innovate quickly in the fast-moving AI landscape.
Tension Between Tradition and Innovation
John Giannandrea, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, is said to be pushing for a more aggressive investment in AI. However, convincing top leadership has reportedly proven difficult. Apple’s methodical approach—starting with a clear end product in mind—clashes with the open-ended, experimental nature often required for AI breakthroughs.
Regulatory Pressure in the EU
Adding to the complexity, Apple faces new regulatory challenges in the European Union. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will be required to give users the option to set third-party digital assistants—such as Google Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT—as the default on iPhones, a move that could undermine Siri’s dominance.
While Apple has not yet specified which third-party assistants will be supported, the company has clarified that this upcoming feature is separate from the current ChatGPT integration already available within Siri.
As WWDC 2025 approaches, developers and users alike are watching closely to see how Apple balances its AI ambitions, regulatory requirements, and platform innovations. For now, it appears iOS 19 will be taking the spotlight—while Siri waits in the wings.
