Apple has released the release candidates of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. The release candidates come one week after Apple seeded the eighth betas.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the release candidate from the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.
iOS 27 introduces the new Siri AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”
Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.
A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, will offer expanded Visual Intelligence capabilities, and even offer integrated writing tools. Siri will offer detailed, engaging responses in a natural back-and-forth conversation.
There are also new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Passwords, Safari, Shortcuts, and Wallet, as well as a standalone Siri app that houses Siri conversations. Write with Siri is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new Siri mode.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the release candidate through the System Settings app. Just go to: System Settings -> General -> Software Update and toggling on the macOS 27 beta.
macOS 27 introduces the new Siri AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”
Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.
A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, Visual Intelligence capabilities are now on the Mac. Siri can now answer questions about what’s on your screen, and a Write with Siri feature lets Siri generate text or offer feedback on your writing.
There are Apple Intelligence photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, AI can automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app can now generate photorealistic images.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the release candidate from the Software Update section of the Settings app on their Apple TV.
tvOS 27 brings only a few new features, including a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center. AirPlaying to an Apple TV from another Apple device is also faster, and apps and animations are smoother. AppleCare coverage details are now available in the Settings app.
As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver devices. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the release candidate from the Software Update section of the Settings app on their Apple Watch.
watchOS 27 drops support for the the following Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra. It is only compatible with the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3
watchOS brings several new features to the Apple Watch.
With this beta, Apple adds support for Siri AI and the Siri app, allowing Apple Watch users to now use the features right from their wrist.
The Dynamic App Grid that pops up when the Digital Crown is pressed now displays the Siri app in the center, providing access to the smarter version of Siri.
Siri AI on Apple Watch relies on being linked to an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone for processing. Conversations in the Siri app on Apple Watch sync to the Siri app across all other devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the release candidate from the Software Update section of the Settings app on their Vision Pro.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features now seem more integrated with the visionOS platform than in previous versions. Vision Pro user can now query Siri about anything in their surroundings, and the assistant will use Visual Intelligence to see it, identify it, and interpret it in real time, answering questions and providing contextual information about it.
When summoning Siri, a 3D orb will appear that can be placed anywhere in the user’s virtual space. Just looking at the orb can launch a conversation. The new Siri app also makes it easier to refer to previous conversations and interactions.
Panorama photos can now be turned into immersive spatial environments. Panoramas are no longer viewed as flat images. Instead, users can now step into them, experiencing added depth and realism.
Apple says visionOS 27 significantly improves wireless performance, with speeds up to three times faster than before.
A new extra-small widget size allows users to place more widgets throughout their physical space without overwhelming their environment.
A new Web Environments feature allows developers to use a new immersive API to launch users into a full 360-degree environment from within Safari.
Mac owners can now preview and edit 3D models from their laptop directly in visionOS. Meanwhile, Quick Look enhancements allow for annotations to be added directly to 3D models.
Control Center has been reorganized with dedicated sections for notifications and media playback, system controls, and immersive environments.
Notifications will now automatically expand when a user looks at them, providing quicker access to information.
Apps such as Apple TV, Safari, and others now sport new curved window layouts that wrap content around a user’s field of view, creating a more immersive workspace to make better use of Vision Pro’s virtual display area.
A new immersive environment, based on Thórsmörk, a nature reserve in Iceland known for its dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers, is now available.