Apple's Week March 21: everybody hates Siri
The Apple Intelligence feature delay news has spread into yet another week, this time with internal drama and new leadership structures. No, Tim Cook didn't get sacked, but AI chief John Giannandrea has been replaced.
I'll reiterate that I'm glad Apple seems to be taking this seriously. Siri and Apple Intelligence are both black eyes on an otherwise excellent modern Apple. I personally don't have an issue with them as they exist today, but it is clear that the general public has very poor opinions of them.
This week's latest Siri controversy? It can't tell you what month it is. Now, I'm with you, there's no reason it shouldn't be able to do this, but unless you've just climbed out of a demonic board game, I doubt you need help knowing the month or year.
Let's face it. Apple has a Siri problem. And Apple Intelligence is now tied to that, especially after the feature delay that was set to propel both forward.
I won't tell you not to be disappointed or frustrated.
However, I suppose it is important for all of us to be patient. I'm not sure what people are using Siri to do, but it thankfully hasn't gotten worse for my needs. It still plays music on command, sets timers, adds things to grocery lists, and controls my home.
Maybe I'm weird for not asking or expecting it to do more. Though I am excited for what may come next. Let's hope Apple can wow us at WWDC 2025.
In the meantime, maybe you'll get a dollar from a frivolous lawsuit.
"Hey Siri, what month is it?"
— Basic Apple Guy (@basicappleguy.com) Mar 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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iPhone 17 designs keep leaking
Here we go again. Apparently, we're back to talking about an iPhone 17 Ultra. The rumors have been pushing this name for years, yet it never surfaces. Maybe 2025 is the year.
Funny enough, the new iPhone 17 Slim/Air doesn't have any such definitive naming leaks, which makes me think the Ultra leaks are still rubbish. If you've got one, why not the other? I know Apple silos information, but different names in the same releases cycle?
The new slim model might be compromised, but it will offer something no other iPhone in the lineup offers – thinness and less weight. It could finally be the selling point Apple has been hunting for its mid-range iPhone.
I'll be sticking with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is getting a giant camera bar. The renders and molds make it look ugly, but I expect Apple will make it look acceptable. Or, at the least, we'll get used to it.
The real question is how Apple plans to address MagSafe and accessories with its new glass/metal back. I don't use an iPhone case, but instead rely on a magnetic leather back.
I'm really interested in what third-party manufacturers do with the extra thinness and large camera bar. There's a chance the magnetic leather back no longer works because the top right adhesive point is no longer available.
Apple's walled garden problem
I switched to Apple products in 2014 and never looked back. Part of the attraction was the ecosystem model where everything synced and had awareness over the cloud. But another reason I switched, more subconsciously, was because of the limited choice and focus.
I didn't need to worry about the 40 different Android OEMs releasing new devices every month with fancy new features. Apple had a simple cadence that let me focus on the tech I had rather than what hype cycle and gimmick was coming next.
This model has expanded in recent years and Apple's identity as a walled garden has solidified, for better or for worse. And the EU seems to believe worse.
I've discussed this in various places online, but I'll say it again here: I have no problem with thoughtful regulation. The DMA got us emulators on iPhone, which was a big win for consumers.
The EU DMA is asking for a lot more than emulators or third-party app stores though. From my limited perspective, it does seem like they want nothing more than Apple to operate more like Google and have iOS become much more open.
I'll have to think on this more in depth, but I don't think there is anything wrong with asking a company to do something or putting it in regulation. But that company should be involved in the conversation. It seems the EU wants Apple to do things the regulators don't understand and are unwilling to hear anything more about.
For example, I think Apple would be smart to work on a private and secure API that could bring notifications to Pebble. Then Pebble could implement the system and gain functionality when connected to iPhone without sacrificing user privacy. It wouldn't be easy for Apple to build, and third-party accessory makers would have to target the API, but it would be a win for customers.
What the DMA seems to want instead is just for Apple to leave the door wide open for accessory makers to suck in all the data they want freely. That Meta should just know what your Wi-Fi connections are and when they change.
I wish Apple was more open to cooperation too. It's all just a mess, much of it Apple's doing, but regulators shouldn't be trying to strong-arm Apple either. It's bad all around.
Just don't ask Apple to make its products worse because competitors made the wrong choice and consumers chose differently.
WWDC 25 should be global
It's been a wild two months with the new administration. I'm terrified for what it means for many reasons, but in the interest of specificity for this post, WWDC.
Many countries are rightfully putting out travel warnings on the United States after several arrests were made against legal foreign travelers. I won't get into details here, but it's been a nightmare for many arrested without cause.
Comicon is even warning that artists traveling from overseas may need to rethink visiting the United States for the popular convention. Foreigners are being arrested for potentially offering skills or sales without a working visa, even when it is meant to be a gift.
That brings me to developers. I wonder if developers are going to be in trouble if they visit on a simple travel visa to attend a developer conference based around how they make money. If WWDC were tomorrow, I'd say don't go.
Hopefully, something changes by June. Otherwise, I offer a simple solution Apple could easily adopt – make WWDC truly worldwide. Just have in-person conferences with access to Apple engineers everywhere around the world. London, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo, etc.
Stay safe out there.
Don't miss this week's AppleInsider Podcast where William and I discuss a lot of the week's news and dig into some of the controversy.
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