Apple is working on a major upgrade to its Siri voice assistant. The company has created an internal app called Veritas, which means "truth" in Latin. This app is used exclusively by employees in the artificial intelligence division so they can quickly test new features. For example, it allows them to search personal files, such as music libraries or emails, edit photos using AI, or have longer conversations with Siri. Veritas helps uncover bugs before the official launch and assess how these features could be used in a ChatGPT-like chat interface.
Veritas is not intended for the public, and Apple has no plans to release it. Instead, it serves as a testing environment for a new version of Siri that could arrive as early as March 2026. The app tests the Linwood system, which combines Apple's own large language models with third-party technologies. The company has already held talks with OpenAI, Anthropic, and, more recently, Google to determine whether their models could enhance the overall system.
Technical details and features
With Veritas, employees are focusing on advanced capabilities such as multi-turn conversations, in which Siri remembers previous questions and responds based on context. For example, the app can search a user's personal data, including music, emails, or other files, and even edit photos directly using artificial intelligence. All of this runs on Linwood, Apple's enhanced system that combines its own models with external technologies.
According to details from the tests, Veritas helps evaluate whether these features work reliably in real-world scenarios. This allows Apple to fine-tune Siri to make it smarter and more reliable. In addition, the company is planning a redesigned interface, more AI features for devices such as HomePod and Apple TV, and even an entry into AI-powered web search.
Delays and the motivation behind the changes
This project follows several delays. Apple originally planned to launch it in the spring of last year, but engineering problems forced a complete restart. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, told employees that winning in artificial intelligence is a top priority for the company. He called it the "biggest transformation in decades" and urged the team to "make AI ours."
The new Siri is now expected to arrive in March 2026, possibly with iOS 26.3 or 26.4. Apple is still deciding whether to partner with companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google Gemini to strengthen its models. This effort reflects Apple's attempt to catch up with the competition, as Siri currently lags behind more advanced assistants.
How Siri will compete
Apple wants Siri to compete with assistants such as Google Assistant and Samsung Bixby. Veritas is a key tool in this effort because it enables thorough testing to ensure that Siri is not only smarter but also more reliable in everyday use. For example, the new features could include better contextual responses and integration with personal data, bringing Siri closer to the level of modern chatbots.
Source: mashable.com
