Apple centered its WWDC 2026 keynote on the debut of Siri AI, a more personal assistant integrated across its next-generation operating systems. This new AI arrives as both a standalone app and a system-wide tool. While developer betas are available, users must currently join a waitlist to access these features.

MacOS 27, branded as macOS Golden Gate, prioritizes system stability and speed over flashy additions. The update improves AirDrop transfers, network file browsing, and Spotlight search suggestions. Apple is focusing on underlying technologies to make the experience feel more responsive, mirroring the approach used for the 2009 Snow Leopard release.

Hardware requirements are creating a divide in user experience. High-end features like expressive voices and improved dictation require 12GB of unified memory, meaning the standard iPhone 17 misses out. Additionally, iPadOS 27 drops support for older tablets, requiring at least an A14 or M1 chip to install the update.

WatchOS 27 sees the steepest cuts, removing support for the Series 6, 7, and 8 models. This update also removes the Walkie-Talkie app, ending a feature that existed since 2018. These changes force a hardware refresh for many users who want the latest software.