Apple’s Siri struggles again, fails to answer ‘What month is it?’—Sparks backlash

Apple’s Siri struggles again, fails to answer ‘What month is it?’—Sparks backlash

  • 20.03.2025 13:11
  • msn.com
  • Keywords: AI, Market Growth

Apple's Siri has faced backlash for failing to answer basic questions like "What month is it?" despite promises of AI advancements at WWDC 2024. Users are frustrated as improvements remain delayed since its 2011 launch.

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Estimated market influence

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Apple

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Analyst rating: Buy

Siri failed to answer simple questions like 'What month is it?' which has led to user frustration and criticism. Apple's AI efforts are under scrutiny due to repeated delays in Siri improvements.

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Analyst rating: N/A

Reported the issue of Siri failing to answer simple questions, contributing to public awareness of the problem.

Context

Analysis of Apple’s Siri Struggles and Market Implications

Overview

  • Issue: Apple's virtual assistant Siri failed to answer a simple question ("What month is it?"), sparking frustration among users.
  • Timeline: The problem was first reported in a Reddit thread and later highlighted by technology writer John Gruber.
  • Context: This comes nearly 14 years after Siri's initial launch in 2011, despite Apple's ambitious plans to overhaul the service at WWDC 2024.

Key Facts and Data

  • User Impact: Users received incorrect responses, such as "Saturday, March 1, 2025," when asking about the current month.
  • Development Delays: Siri's promised updates, initially slated for spring 2024, are now delayed until at least next year.
  • Internal Challenges: Apple’s senior director overseeing Siri, Robby Walker, acknowledged internal frustration and setbacks during an all-hands meeting.

Market Implications

  • Erosion of User Trust: The failure highlights ongoing issues with Siri's reliability, potentially damaging user trust in Apple's AI capabilities.
  • Reputation Risk: The delay in rolling out promised features has intensified scrutiny on Apple’s artificial intelligence efforts.
  • Competitive Landscape: Competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa may gain an edge as users seek more reliable virtual assistants.

Competitive Dynamics

  • Apple’s Struggles: Despite investing heavily in AI, Apple continues to face challenges in delivering a fully functional and intelligent Siri experience.
  • Market Expectations: Users expect continuous improvement from Apple, given its position as a tech leader. The delay underscores the gap between promise and delivery.

Strategic Considerations

  • Feature Rollouts: The delay suggests potential mismanagement in feature development and release cycles within Apple.
  • Internal Pressure: The setbacks have reportedly caused internal discontent, with one source describing the situation as "ugly and embarrassing."

Long-Term Effects

  • Regulatory Scrutiny: If delays persist, Apple may face increased scrutiny from regulators regarding product quality and AI advancements.
  • Impact on Innovation: Repeated failures could hinder Apple’s ability to innovate in AI-driven services, affecting its competitive edge.

This analysis underscores the challenges Apple faces in maintaining its leadership in AI and virtual assistant technology. The delay in Siri's updates not only impacts user satisfaction but also raises questions about the company's strategic execution and innovation pace.