Apple’s latest software updates, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, focus on stability improvements and quality-of-life enhancements. The big highlight is an upgrade to Siri, which now resembles a glass orb and can understand your personal context better, all thanks to Apple’s third-generation foundation models.

While Apple Intelligence is only compatible with newer devices, Siri’s new look and voice could still make your interactions with your iPhone or iPad more seamless. Expect app launches to be up to 30 percent faster, and photos to load up to 70 percent quicker. However, older models will still get a performance boost, thanks to a better-optimized CPU Scheduler.

There’s also good news for owners of 2019 and newer iPhones, as they’ll still be compatible with iOS 27. Check your device’s model name in Settings > General > About to confirm. A few iPads, including the 8th-gen iPad and 5th-gen iPad Mini, won’t receive the update, so be sure to check compatibility.

To install the new software, back up your device first, then head to Settings > General > Software Update. The installation process can take several minutes, and your device will restart. Be prepared for Siri to ask to index your phone or iPad, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.

With all these changes, one can only wonder how long it will be before AI assistants become as ubiquitous as the digital assistants themselves. The AI revolution, it seems, is here, but only for those with the latest hardware.