Give up on the competition among chatbots! Apple iOS 27 takes full control of user daily experience with Apple Intelligence

The Zhitong Finance APP noted that while the comprehensive overhaul of Siri's artificial intelligence (AI) may have been the headline news at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this month, Apple's broader AI strategy is gradually taking shape through a series of small features embedded throughout its software.

The company is not asking consumers to adapt to the new AI-driven Siri to reap all the benefits of AI; instead, it is integrating AI into the applications and services that users are already using, focusing on solving real-world problems. As a result, the iPhone will be able to help users split restaurant bills, protect passwords after data breaches, automate tasks, and organize information with less manual work, among other things.

Individually, these features may not seem as striking as a Siri that can finally understand the user's personal context and take action on their behalf. But together, they showcase a vision of AI—one that is less about conversing with chatbots and more about making Apple's software itself feel smarter and more capable.

In addition to Siri AI, here are the small AI features we are most looking forward to using in iOS 27. These features are currently available in the developer beta and will soon be available in the public beta, followed by a public release later this fall with the official version of iOS 27.

Splitting Bills

When iOS 27 launches later this fall, users will be able to use Apple Cash to split restaurant bills. With the support of Apple Intelligence, users simply need to take a photo of the receipt (or upload a photo), and a new option will appear allowing them to choose to split the bill with others. Apple Intelligence will automatically extract key details from the bill, such as the items ordered and their quantities, tips, and the total amount. Users can select the items they ordered from the receipt and share requests with others in a group chat.

The option to split bills does not feel complicated, as it only appears when needed and can work in conjunction with existing applications and services that people are already familiar with (such as Messages and Apple Cash). It is also smart enough to request that everyone splits the corresponding taxes and tips along with the item prices.

Password Updates

Apple's new password update feature will now utilize AI to take action on behalf of users by identifying weak passwords and those that have been compromised (such as passwords found in data breaches). This feature does not force users to manually update passwords but can safely navigate websites, log in, and upgrade users' passwords to new, more secure versions.

One-Click Suggestions in Messages App

If consumers ever thought that the feature which automatically displays the SMS verification code needed to log into websites above the keyboard was one of Apple's best features, they will love the new one-click suggestion feature in iOS 27 By using Apple Intelligence, the "Information" app will provide various one-click suggestions based on the topics of user conversations. Similarly, this feature itself appears as a practical tool in chats rather than an obvious AI-driven add-on.

Call Background Information

Another low-key hidden option in iOS 27 will slightly ease the pressure when calling the company's customer service department, as it will display necessary information that users may need to provide to the business representative answering the call. For example, if a user calls to inquire about their flight booking status, the "Call Background Information" feature will directly show the confirmation code on the call screen.

To achieve this functionality, the tool is leveraging Apple Intelligence to extract information from emails in the "Mail" app and operates entirely on-device to protect privacy. More importantly, this is a tool that runs in the background; it does not require users to converse with the AI assistant to extract information—the necessary details will be displayed directly.

Adding Calendar Events

Apple will now also allow users to add or change calendar events simply by describing them in natural language, replicating a feature that third-party apps like Fantastical have had for years. Under the hood, Apple Intelligence will extract contacts and locations on behalf of the user and create titles for events. This feature makes it easier to add content to the Apple Calendar without having to think about which fields need information.

Vibe Coding Shortcuts

As one of the more powerful applications on the iPhone, "Shortcuts" has often deterred many users due to the technical barriers involved. This app allows users to write task and workflow scripts and create automations that make life easier. However, for non-advanced users, using Shortcuts can be a frustrating experience, as they often have to search for online tutorials or other resources (like the Shortcuts Gallery) to find the tools they need.

In iOS 27, users only need to describe what they want their iPhone to do. "Shortcuts" can also perform other daily tasks, such as automatically sending a text message to a partner with the estimated time of arrival (ETA) when leaving work, or turning on the porch light when a DoorDash order arrives.

Reducing Junk Notifications in the Home App

Smart home users know that their apps often inundate them with a slew of unimportant notifications, all related to the same event. With Apple Intelligence in iOS 27, the "Home" app can understand multiple actions and how they are related, allowing it to send a single notification related to the overall activity.

AI can also find the desired video clips, such as package deliveries or other events, through search. The "Home" app will highlight noteworthy clips at the top of the screen for viewing Safari Tab Organizer

Another less obvious AI feature is the tab organizer in the Safari web browser. By using Apple Intelligence, Safari can now understand the content being browsed across various websites and then organize the tabs into related themes. For example, if multiple tabs related to planned trips are open, Safari can group all these tabs into a travel tab group. These will be displayed at the top of the browser, above the web pages, for easy access when preparing to resume online research.

Apple points out that the AI performing this task also respects user privacy, as it does not disclose browsing data to anyone (not even to Apple)