Apple appears to be making progress on a major update to its Siri software that would expand its capabilities and incorporate more AI features. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the delayed update for Siri now has an internal release window of spring 2026. 

The update, which could arrive with iOS version 26.4, would make good on features and updates Apple first introduced at 2024’s WWDC. Since then, the updates to Siri that were supposed to incorporate many of the company’s Apple Intelligence have failed to materialize, and the company’s AI efforts so far haven’t wowed tech enthusiasts. 

New capabilities for Siri would allow it to have more controls over apps across different devices. But according to Bloomberg’s report, internal development of Siri has been chaotic and the possibility of releasing a big update in spring is not a sure thing. One scenario is that a preview version would be available at that time with a full release set for 2026’s iPhone rollout later in the year.

Fortunately for Apple, AI isn’t currently factoring heavily into people’s phone-buying decisions. A CNET survey published this week suggests just 11% of people are driven to upgrade due to AI features.

A representative from Apple did not immediately return a request for information on the update. Apple has been vague in statements about Siri’s next update, promising only that it would be available «in the coming year.»

Amazon has had similar struggles with Alexa, its personal assistant software available on devices from Amazon and other companies. Its Alexa products have lost money and the company is in the process of rolling out Alexa Plus, which also incorporates new AI-driven features and would require a fee for those who don’t have Amazon Prime. That rollout has also had delays.

We all have different ways of motivating ourselves to exercise, so when Apple announced Workout Buddy for the Apple Watch at WWDC 2025, it made us think about what sorts of verbal encouragement would spur us to complete our workouts. We couldn’t help but imagine the different types of future Workout Buddies — and how they might help, cajole or even bargain with us to hit our fitness goals.

Workout Buddy in WatchOS 26 will be available at the outset in eight workouts (such as running and cycling) that you can activate when the workout begins. It exists as a voice through the watch and Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and is modeled on actual Apple Fitness Plus trainers. Workout Buddy can deliver progress indicators, stats and vocal encouragement as you push through an exercise routine.

Initially, Workout Buddy comes across as the type of friend who’s there to give you a pat on the back and a helpful rundown of what you just accomplished. But people respond to different types of encouragement. As we wait for WatchOS 26 to arrive (the software is currently available only to developers), here are some different types of workout buddies that could someday — or hopefully not, in some cases — echo in our heads while we’re sweating.

The cheerleader: «That light sheen of sweat makes your skin positively radiant! Good job hitting the half-mile mark! Wow — you have the resting heart rate of a 20-year-old!»

The drill sergeant (said in the sweetest voice possible): «Get off your ass and burn off those donuts! You’ve still got two miles to go before you reach the calories you consumed, champ!»

Your fittest friend who never seems to exercise: «Listen, brah, if you don’t push one more mile outta this run, you’re never gonna refine that six-pack and ever, like, find true love or succeed at anything in your life. Just straight-talkin’ ya, brah.»

Your friend who keeps stats at baseball games: «You’ve completed 1.39 miles of this run with a heart rate of 185 beats per second and burned approximately 140 calories, which is slightly below yesterday’s run, probably because you got only 6.4 hours of sleep last night and ate 50g more pasta for dinner than your usual serving…»

Your chill friend: «Hey, good set. I’m right here with you. Let’s do another one.»

The guilt-tripper: «Way to complete that 30-minute walk! Those donuts are still waiting at home!»

The buddy who knows you so well: «All right, you’re doing it. Look, if you can push through another half a mile, you can justify that bagel and a glass of wine tonight to celebrate.»

The caffeinated spin class instructor: «Let’s go babes, keep on keeping on! Yeah! One and two and… That’s right! You can do this!»

The zen dude: «Hello there. Good morning. Let’s thank our bodies for being here. And let’s be present in this workout. Only 15 gentle miles of uphill running to go. Namaste.»

The nihilist buddy: «Wow — is that really all you could muster? Fine, whatever, it doesn’t really matter anyway.»

Mom: «You got out there and did a workout. You did good, hon.»

Werner Herzog: «You have walked 20 miles. Can you feel the futility? I can tell you haven’t even left your house. Why do you make me a participant in your lies?»

Maybe the most important Workout Buddy: «Hey. Hi. I know it’s early, and you’re warm and comfortable, but you said you were going to wake up early and go for a ride. C’mon — you can do this. Just get out of bed. We’ll do it together. Your favorite coffee shop is right at the end of the route.»