Apple this week released iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate while most devices announced at last week’s event — including the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 — became available on Friday; the iPhone Duo remains unavailable. The iOS and macOS updates introduce new Siri AI features, the Mac gains Visual Intelligence, Apple has opened a waitlist for Siri AI access, and Apple has already seeded the first iOS 27.2 beta for developers.
iOS 27 arrives with Siri AI and Liquid Glass tweaks
iOS 27 brings new Siri AI capabilities to users in many countries and includes other feature and interface updates. The operating system is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer. Apple has published guides highlighting features to try first as well as more exhaustive coverage of iOS 27’s additions. Apple also plans iOS 27.1 to ship with the iPhone Duo next month and says iOS 27.2 will deliver the first significant round of improvements for all users.
macOS Golden Gate brings Siri AI, Visual Intelligence and design changes
macOS Golden Gate 27 is now available for Mac users. The update introduces a smarter chatbot version of Siri with a dedicated Siri app, brings Visual Intelligence to the Mac for the first time, and adjusts the Liquid Glass design update introduced last year. Apple’s coverage includes short lists of notable features as well as longer guides detailing Golden Gate’s changes.
Siri AI waitlist and device, regional limits
Access to the all-new Siri AI requires joining an Apple waitlist via the iPhone Settings app. While iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and newer, Siri AI itself is limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. Siri AI is currently unavailable in EU countries as a result of Apple’s regulatory dispute with the European Commission over Digital Markets Act requirements. Reported wait times after joining the list vary from a few minutes to several hours or days.
Apple seeds iOS 27.2 beta; revamped Health app delayed
Apple has seeded the first developer beta of iOS 27.2 (skipping 27.1 for now). The most notable change in that beta is the revamped Health app shown at the recent iPhone event, but Apple says the Health app will not be included in the public release of the update, meaning the general public will need to wait longer for that change.
Hardware launches and iPhone 18 Pro Max modem discrepancy
All products introduced at last week’s event, except the iPhone Duo, are now available: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 launched on Friday. Following confusion about cellular modems, Apple updated its device spec pages to confirm that its C2 modem is included in both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in every country except the United States. The iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the U.S. continues to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem carried over from the iPhone 17 Pro models; Apple has not explained the difference.
iCloud+ expands bundled services in 100+ countries
Apple announced a new initiative turning paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, every paid iCloud+ plan, including the 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no additional cost, and family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people. The rollout does not include the U.S., Canada or Australia, and it is not offered in the U.K. and other European markets. In countries where the initiative has launched, Apple TV and Apple Arcade will stop being sold as individual subscriptions through Apple.
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