Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 will kick off next week. Based on current disclosures and media reports, Apple's focus this year will remain on AI, especially a new version of Siri, and the expansion of Apple Intelligence at the camera, image generation, and system levels.
Siri may be given an independent form.
Based on current information, Apple aims to elevate Siri from a traditional voice assistant to a form closer to an AI assistant. The new Siri is expected to enhance contextual understanding, multi-step task processing, and cross-application collaboration capabilities. TechCrunch notes that this version may leverage some capabilities of Google Gemini to improve its performance in handling complex requests.
In addition to the upgrade to the built-in assistant, Bloomberg's previous report also mentioned that Apple may be preparing to launch a standalone Siri app. This means that Siri's positioning may no longer be just a system function entry point, but rather a direct competitor to chatbot products such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
App Store or integration with AI agent
The Information previously reported that Apple plans to integrate AI agent capabilities with the App Store. Details are still incomplete, but these agents can typically perform specific tasks on behalf of users, such as booking services, handling daily tasks, editing documents, or controlling smart home devices.
The report also mentioned that Apple may add an automatic conversation deletion option, allowing users to choose to delete conversations after 30 days, a year, or retain them long-term. This design is closer to the usage of current mainstream AI chat products.
Camera, images, and wallet update in sync.
In addition to Siri, Apple may add new AI features to several native apps. The camera app is reportedly adding a "Visual Intelligence" section, replacing the previous entry point attached to the camera control buttons, and will include a dedicated Siri mode. This feature will use image recognition capabilities to identify objects captured by the user.
Image Playground is also expected to be updated, with improvements including enhanced image generation quality, the addition of artistic styles, improved character consistency, and richer editing options. The interface may be simplified, and a "describe what you've modified" editing method may be added. Simultaneously, Apple may also introduce Genmoji suggestions based on user media and text interactions, as well as an AI wallpaper feature.
The wallet app is also a potential focus of this update. Rumored new features include bill splitting, allowing users to send payment requests to different recipients by taking a picture of their receipt. Wallet may also add a "Create a Pass" option to convert physical vouchers such as movie tickets, concert tickets, or gym memberships into digital passes.
Additional information:The report also mentioned that macOS, iPadOS, visionOS, watchOS, and tvOS are expected to receive updates related to Siri and Apple Intelligence, indicating that Apple may continue to extend its AI capabilities to more devices.
