Apple has officially released its 2026 major annual operating system updates, including iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27.
The flagship feature across most of these releases is a significant overhaul of Siri. This new Siri AI is based on large language models and is designed to be context-aware, allowing it to perform tasks such as explaining on-screen content, searching personal history like emails or messages, and interacting directly with supported applications. To power these features, Apple is utilizing its own AFM 3 models, including the on-device AFM 3 Core (3 billion parameters) and AFM 3 Core Advanced (20 billion parameters), alongside more powerful cloud-based models.
Design updates include "Liquid Glass" refinements across iOS and macOS, with a new slider allowing users to adjust the transparency or opacity of the interface. macOS Golden Gate 27 also includes performance improvements such as system-wide HDR support for UI elements and enhanced support for external monitor display modes. Notably, macOS Golden Gate 27 is the final version of macOS to support Rosetta, which enables Apple Silicon Macs to run older Intel-based applications.
While iOS 27 and macOS 27 receive the most significant updates, visionOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27 receive more incremental improvements. Apple has integrated Siri AI into visionOS and watchOS, while tvOS 27 focuses on tweaks to the Podcasts and Music apps without the new Siri AI features.
Sources:
- Apple releases iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate 27 with Siri AI and Liquid Glass refinements (Ars Technica AI, 2026-09-14)