To overtake its opponents in this global AI race, Apple is preparing to deploy its most powerful weapon—ecosystem openness.
On March 29, according to related media citing tech journalist Mark Gurman in the latest issue of his "Power On" newsletter, Apple Inc. plans to adopt an aggressive "two-pronged" strategy in iOS 27: while deeply embedding its self-developed AI into the system, it will officially open the underlying interfaces of Siri and Apple Intelligence to third-party services.
AI Store Arrives: 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 permitted to install various third-party AI chatbots, beyond just ChatGPT, on their iPhone.
Dedicated Section Management: The App Store will establish a separate AI App Section, creating a platform akin to an "AI plugin marketplace." Once downloaded, these bots can run directly within Siri.
Leveraging Strengths: Using Google Gemini to Shore Up Weaknesses
To ensure the system's practicality, Apple is attempting to bring in external heavyweights:
Deep Integration: Apple is considering using Google's Gemini technology to revamp Siri and other system-level AI functions.
Complementary Strategy: This approach allows Apple to avoid a head-on clash with OpenAI or Google at the most fundamental model level, instead supplementing the shortcomings of its in-house technology by introducing third-party products.
Business Logic: Protect Hardware, Earn Commissions
Gurman points out that this strategy fully leverages Apple's hardware advantages and platform control:
Defending Against Android: By offering a highly customizable AI experience, it prevents users from switching to the Android camp due to a lack of AI features.
Easy Money: Apple can not only maintain iPhone sales but also generate significant revenue from subscriptions to third-party AI apps through the App Store's traditional 30% commission model.
WWDC26 Preview: Find Out on June 8
This grand blueprint for AI is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC26 Global Developers Conference starting on June 8. Then, the redesigned Siri will officially debut with enhanced screen awareness and interactive capabilities.
Conclusion: From "Walled Garden" to "AI Port"
Apple has long been known for its closed ecosystem walls. But in the AI era, Apple clearly recognizes that "inclusivity" is key to retaining users. As Siri becomes a "super container" that can freely swap plugins and integrate the world's most powerful models, Apple is attempting to use this open posture to redefine the interactive sovereignty of smartphones.
