Apple on Wednesday pushed out the second public betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27 to members of its public beta testing program. The updates arrive roughly one week after the first public betas and continue Apple’s focus on refining its next-generation software ahead of the expected September launch.
Major Siri AI Upgrades Across Platforms
The most significant highlight across both releases is the expansion of Siri AI, Apple’s more intelligent, context-aware assistant.
• On iPhone and iPad, Siri AI can search the web, access personal information, understand what’s on your screen, and perform actions across apps. It now resembles conversational AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT, complete with a dedicated Siri app for extended interactions. These capabilities require a device that supports Apple Intelligence.
• On Apple Watch, Siri AI brings similar smarts to your wrist. Users can ask questions, get answers based on personal data, and complete tasks directly from the watch. A new dedicated Siri app sits prominently in the updated dynamic app grid that appears when pressing the Digital Crown.
iOS 27 & iPadOS 27 Highlights
Apple has continued polishing the Liquid Glass design introduced last year, adding a new slider to control transparency levels and making further visual refinements. New AI-powered tools appear throughout the system:
• Enhanced photo editing in the Photos app
• Automatic tab organization in Safari
• Natural language creation of Shortcuts and Safari extensions
• Visual Intelligence now integrated into the Camera app (with features like meal nutrition analysis and bill splitting)
• “Write with Siri” for text generation and refinement
Other notable additions include custom EQ for AirPods, 4K video camera support in the Home app, improved parental controls, and broad performance enhancements that make apps launch faster, AirDrop transfers quicker, and the overall experience snappier—even on older iPhones.
watchOS 27 Highlights
The watch update emphasizes convenience and fitness improvements:
• New gesture for selecting widgets in the Smart Stack
• Smart Stack suggestions for parked car location, transit cards, and birthdays
• Workout Buddy that works independently of the iPhone
• More accurate treadmill run/walk distance tracking
• Unified Find My app with Precision Finding support
tvOS 27 brings a redesigned Podcasts app, Hi-Res Lossless audio and AutoMix in Apple Music, faster app launches, and quicker AirPlay connections.
How to Install the Public Betas
- Sign up for the Apple Public Beta Program at beta.apple.com.
- On your device, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the available beta.
MacDailyNews Note: As with all early beta software, users should back up their devices before installing and expect some bugs or battery life impacts during testing.
Apple is expected to continue seeding weekly or bi-weekly betas throughout the summer, with final versions arriving alongside new iPhones in September. For full details on new features, check MacRumors’ dedicated roundups for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
