Apple WWDC 2026 unveils agentic Siri, iOS 27, and delayed AI glasses

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 opened June 8 with CEO Tim Cook presiding over what is expected to be his final keynote, as John Ternus prepares to take the helm in September. The conference, streamed live from Apple Park, delivered major software updates including iOS 27, iPadOS 20, and watchOS 13, but the spotlight fell on Apple's revamped Siri — now described as 'agentic' and powered by a partnership with Google's Gemini model. The new Siri can perform multi-step tasks, integrate deeply with third-party apps, and act as a proactive assistant across devices. Additionally, Apple introduced an AI-powered health coach, leveraging the Google Health subscription model seen in Fitbit Air, to offer personalized Readiness scores, meal logging via photos, and exercise recommendations within the Health app. However, the rumored Apple smart glasses were officially delayed to 2027, disappointing some enthusiasts.

Beyond Siri and health, Apple Intelligence, the company's broader AI platform, received significant upgrades. Developers now have access to on-device large language model APIs for building context-aware apps, while Apple's own LLM, internally named 'Frontier', powers features like real-time transcription, advanced photo editing, and predictive text in Mail. The Health app's new AI coach, demonstrated by editor Nina Raemont, allows users to ask natural-language questions like 'Why is my readiness score low?' and receive actionable insights — a clear move to compete with Google's Fitbit Premium and Samsung Health. Tim Cook's farewell was met with a standing ovation, and Ternus outlined a vision of 'ambient AI' that runs seamlessly across all Apple devices. With iOS 27's public beta arriving in July, Apple is positioning itself as a serious contender in the on-device AI race, though the smart glasses delay suggests the company is taking a cautious approach to wearable AI hardware.