Apple is once again in the spotlight, but not for the right reasons. Tech commentator John Gruber has launched a scathing critique of Apple’s failure to deliver on its ambitious Siri upgrades, branding the company’s AI promises as nothing more than “vaporware.”
At the heart of the controversy is Apple’s announcement from last year, where it teased major AI-driven improvements to Siri, including enhanced personal context awareness, better on-screen recognition, and the ability to perform complex in-app actions. The excitement around these features positioned Apple as finally catching up in the AI race. Yet, months later, users are still waiting—with no clear explanation for the delay.
The backlash highlights a growing frustration with Apple’s handling of AI development. While competitors like Google and OpenAI rapidly evolve their virtual assistants, Siri remains frustratingly limited. Many users hoped Apple’s deep integration of AI would finally make Siri more than just a basic voice assistant. Instead, they are left questioning whether Apple overpromised or simply underestimated the technical challenges.
Gruber’s criticism goes beyond just the delays—he argues that Apple misled users by showcasing concept videos rather than real, working demos. This has led to concerns that Apple is prioritizing marketing over tangible innovation. Historically, Apple has been known for its “it just works” philosophy, but recent missteps are chipping away at that trust.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Apple. As AI-driven technology reshapes the industry, Apple risks being perceived as falling behind. If it doesn’t roll out meaningful Siri improvements soon, it could lose ground in the battle for AI dominance, leaving users with an assistant that feels outdated compared to its competitors.
For now, Apple is staying silent on when—or if—these promised features will launch. But one thing is clear: user patience is running thin, and the pressure is mounting for Apple to prove that Siri isn’t just a relic of the past.
