iOS 27 launches next week: Here are three new features I’ve been loving

iOS 27 is packed with new features across Messages, Notes, Apple Wallet, CarPlay, and more. Among the highlights, three stand out as transformative: a rebuilt Siri with a dedicated app, one-tap suggestions in Messages, and natural language event creation in Calendar.

The All-New Siri App

Siri is completely new in iOS 27, rebuilt from the ground up for the AI era. One exciting upgrade is the dedicated Siri app, which Apple says allows users to revisit past conversations or start new ones.

The Siri app uses iCloud to privately sync conversational history across a user’s products. This means you can start chatting with Siri on Mac and continue on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro, bringing together rich conversations in one place.

The Siri app provides a convenient, go-to home for any question you have. It’s especially great for chatbot-style conversations that go beyond a simple request.

With the popularity of apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, a dedicated Siri app makes a lot of sense. And since it’s pre-installed on the iPhone Home Screen, I suspect it could quickly become a go-to app for many users.

Messages Suggestions: AI That Works in the Background

iOS 27 has plenty of Apple Intelligence features that don’t “feel like AI” but simply offer convenient tools. A shining example is actionable suggestions in the Messages app.

Messages offers one-tap suggestions based on the context of users’ conversations, making it easier than ever to get things done, such as creating a reminder or a note. For instance, if someone asks for photos, Messages can help users find the right ones, recognizing keywords, locations, and people in their library.

Plenty of messaging apps have tried to infuse AI via an integrated chatbot in your conversation. I’ve never been a fan of that approach. But one-tap suggestions in Messages offer similar utility in many respects, and are quicker and easier to use than typing out an AI request.

It’s the kind of AI feature I can fully get behind. Note that Apple announced today that suggestions won’t launch in iOS 27.0, but instead have been pushed to a future update.

Smart Event Details in Calendar

Apple’s Calendar app gets a new feature in iOS 27 that I’ve long wanted: natural language input for creating events. Apple calls it ‘Smart Event Details.’

Using Apple Intelligence, you can type out an event in your own words and have iOS 27 automatically detect and fill in key details, including title, time, location, and invitees.

With Smart Event Details, you won’t need to manually enter these details separately anymore. Instead, you can just type everything in a single line, and AI will update your event accordingly.

Other Notable iOS 27 Features

Beyond these three, iOS 27 brings improvements to Messages, Notes, Apple Wallet, and CarPlay. For instance, Notes gains enhanced organization tools, while Apple Wallet integrates new passes and payment options.

CarPlay is also updated with more customization and smarter navigation. These features, combined with the Siri app and calendar enhancements, make iOS 27 a substantial update.

The focus on Apple Intelligence is evident across the system, with many features designed to feel natural rather than overtly AI. The Siri app, in particular, signals Apple’s commitment to conversational AI.

The Impact of a Dedicated Siri App

The dedicated Siri app is a bold move. It not only gives Siri a persistent presence but also allows users to maintain conversational context across devices.

By syncing via iCloud, the app ensures privacy while providing seamless continuity. This could make Siri a serious competitor to standalone AI chatbots.

However, the delay of Messages suggestions to a future update is a disappointment. Still, the potential of these features is immense, and when they arrive, they could change how we interact with our phones.

Conclusion

iOS 27 is a major step forward, with the Siri app, Smart Event Details, and the promise of Messages suggestions leading the charge. While not everything is available at launch, the foundation is set for a more intelligent and conversational iPhone experience.

As Apple continues to refine these features, we can expect even more integration and capability. For now, these three features are enough to make iOS 27 a compelling upgrade.