News in short

• Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 27.3, alongside updates for other platforms.
• Developers can connect apps with Siri AI through App Intents and create multi-step actions.
• The redesigned Health app adds Insights, Longevity and a Health Age feature.
• Apple is reportedly testing Siri Recap and Live Rewind for select Apple Watch models.
• Some Apple Intelligence features could arrive in China in December, according to a report.

Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 27.3, introducing new tools for Siri AI and changes to the Health app. The company has also seeded developer betas for watchOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and visionOS.

The update gives developers new ways to connect their apps with Siri. It also previews a redesigned Health app, with new sections focused on personal health insights and longevity.

The software is currently available for developer testing. Apple has not confirmed a public release date in the supplied announcement. A broader rollout is expected later this year.

Siri gains new ways to work with apps

Apple is allowing developers to connect their apps with Siri through App Intents. The tools are available in the iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3 developer betas.

Developers can define actions Siri can perform within their apps. They can also combine several actions into custom skills. This could help Siri handle requests involving multiple steps.

Siri can use natural language, personal context and information displayed on the screen. It can also search data indexed by Spotlight.

Apple is extending these capabilities to its own apps, including Calendar, Files, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos and Reminders. Developers are expected to submit apps with Siri AI integrations to the App Store in spring.

The update could make Siri more useful across supported apps. However, the features remain in testing, and their final availability may depend on Apple’s rollout.

Health app adds Insights, Longevity and Health Age

Apple is redesigning its Health app with two new sections: Insights and Longevity.

Insights will cover sleep, heart health, fitness, vital signs and cycle tracking. The For You section will offer recommendations based on users’ activity and habits. It will also feature health and fitness articles and videos from clinical experts.

Longevity will bring together information on heart health, hearing, movement, metabolic health and mental wellbeing. It will also introduce Health Age, which estimates how a person’s health compares with their actual age.

The feature uses metrics such as VO2 max, resting heart rate, sleep and heart rate variability. Users can also add blood test results, including A1c and LDL cholesterol.

Health Age requires an Apple Watch. Apple says the app can also use the iPhone camera and Apple Watch to assess movement, flexibility, strength and balance. These assessments run on-device. Apple says camera footage is neither recorded nor shared.

The redesigned Health app is expected to arrive as a free software update later this year. It will support 11 languages, although some features will require compatible devices.

Apple Watch may get AI-powered conversation tools

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is testing Siri Recap and Live Rewind for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Siri Recap can reportedly summarise nearby conversations. Live Rewind may let users view a transcript of the previous 15 seconds. The report says users can activate Live Rewind by double-pressing the Digital Crown.

Both features are reportedly being tested in English. Their use of the watch’s microphone raises privacy questions, particularly when conversations involve other people.

Apple reportedly says audio is processed on the watch and is not saved. The company also says the tools do not identify speakers. Live Rewind is said to play an audible alert when activated, even if the watch is set to silent.

Apple Intelligence could reach China in December

The Bloomberg report also says Apple is preparing to bring some Apple Intelligence features to China in December.

The initial rollout could include notification summaries, Genmoji and writing tools. More advanced features, including improved image generation and photo editing, are reportedly not part of the planned release.

The upgraded Siri AI is also expected to remain unavailable in China. The report links this limitation to its reliance on Google’s models, which are unavailable in the country.

Apple has not confirmed the reported China rollout in the supplied material. The details should therefore be treated as unconfirmed until the company makes an official announcement.