I like to think, “Siri can’t suck forever,” but apparently Apple’s AI assistant is planning to test my patience. Apple’s much-anticipated Agentic Siri update, initially set to roll out alongside iOS 18.4, has hit a snag. Citing “engineering hurdles,” Apple pushed the release to later this year—or perhaps even beyond, depending on who you ask. Beta testers described inconsistencies, glitches, and a general sense of “not quite ready for prime time.” Translation: Siri still sucks, at least for now.
Manus
But while Apple’s engineers hustle to make Siri more than a punchline, something extraordinary just happened on the other side of the globe. China unleashed Manus—an autonomous AI agent that’s sparking what some observers are calling a genuine “ChatGPT moment.” Manus doesn’t just answer questions or give you a weather forecast—it autonomously executes complex tasks with startling proficiency. Want to build an entire social media plan including creative? Manus will do it, step by step, from initial concept to completion. It’s actually a bit scary.
This isn’t just another iteration of conversational AI; it’s a clear vision of the future, where AI doesn’t just assist—it actually takes the reins and executes real-world tasks autonomously. Manus has stunned industry watchers by acing GAIA benchmark tests and setting new standards for what we should expect from intelligent agents. Server capacity has been overwhelmed, leaving tech enthusiasts scrambling for access.
Apple Is Right To Wait
Apple’s careful, if sluggish, approach to releasing an Agentic Siri makes perfect sense when you consider what’s at stake. Imagine Manus-level capability deeply integrated with your iPhone—where all your personal identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), and financial data via Apple Pay reside securely. Siri, empowered at Manus’s level, wouldn’t just manage your calendar or remind you to stand up; it would shop, book travel, handle your calendar, proactively optimize your health, financial well-being, and lifestyle choices, to name a few. The potential to influence consumer behavior at this scale is unprecedented.
Technology is meaningless unless it changes the way we behave and a truly agentic, PII/PHI-connected Siri could redefine behavior at a global scale. Apple knows this. They also know they only get one shot to deploy this kind of power responsibly. So while it’s easy (and frankly, fun) to joke about Siri’s ongoing shortcomings, Apple’s deliberate pace might just be the right call.
In the meantime, keep an eye on Manus. It’s a compelling preview of what’s to come—and a stark reminder that the future is already here; it’s just unevenly distributed.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.