Siri reaches a "Android-like" turning point? iOS 27 will introduce an AI app store, supporting free installation of third-party bots.

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To overtake competitors in this global AI race, Apple is preparing to unleash its most powerful weapon—ecological openness.

On March 29, according to related media citing well-known tech journalist Mark Gurman in the latest issue of the “Power On” newsletter, Apple plans to adopt an aggressive “dual approach” in iOS 27: deeply embedding self-developed AI into the system while officially opening the underlying interfaces of Siri and Apple Intelligence to third-party services.

The arrival of the AI store: a dedicated App Store section

The core of this strategy is that Apple will no longer force users to bind to a single AI brain:

Freedom of choice: Users will be allowed to install various third-party AI chatbots other than ChatGPT on their iPhones.

Dedicated management: The App Store will establish an independent AI application section, creating a platform similar to an “AI plugin market,” where users can download these bots to run directly in Siri.

Leveraging strength: Utilizing Google’s Gemini to fill gaps

To ensure the practicality of the system, Apple is attempting to bring in external support:

Deep integration: Apple is considering utilizing Google’s Gemini technology to transform Siri and other system-level AI functions.

Complementary strategy: This approach allows Apple to avoid direct, head-to-head confrontation with OpenAI or Google at the most fundamental model level, thus eliminating the need for Apple to engage in outright competition or “hardcore” battles with these giants, instead supplementing its own technology with third-party products.

Business logic: Preserving hardware, earning commissions

Gurman pointed out that this strategy fully leverages Apple’s hardware advantages and platform control:

Defending against Android: By providing a highly customizable AI experience, Apple aims to prevent users from switching to the Android camp due to a lack of AI features.

Earning passively: Apple can not only maintain iPhone sales but also earn substantial revenue from third-party AI applications’ subscriptions through the traditional 30% commission model of the App Store.

WWDC26 preview: June 8 will reveal all

This grand blueprint for AI is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC26 global developer conference starting on June 8. At that time, the redesigned Siri will officially debut with stronger screen perception capabilities and interactive experiences.

Conclusion: From “closed empire” to “AI harbor”

Apple has long been known for its closed ecological walls. However, in the AI era, Apple clearly realizes that “embracing all rivers” is the key to retaining users. As Siri transforms into a “super container” that can freely swap plugins and connect to the world’s strongest models, Apple is attempting to redefine the interaction sovereignty of smartphones with this open attitude.