Apple Unveils Latest watchOS 27 Beta 2 for App Developers

Apple recently rolled out the second developer betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and even tvOS 27 and visionOS 27 as per their usual schedule. However, there was an unexpected absence of a new Apple Watch beta in this release.

Fortunately, the delay seems to have been due to the need for a little extra time to work on the watchOS 27 developer beta 2. Apple quietly released this beta today, indicating that they may have been focusing on adding a major new feature to the Apple Watch.

While the initial developer betas for iOS 27 and other devices introduced the new Siri AI, the Apple Watch did not receive this update. Apple mentioned in a press release that Siri AI would be available for testing in a future watchOS 27 beta.

The Apple Watch has been missing out on Apple Intelligence, so it makes sense that Apple requires more time to prepare Siri AI for watchOS 27. Currently, only the Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and newer models support on-device Siri processing due to the Neural Engine requirement.

Despite installing the second developer beta of watchOS 27, there is no visible indication that Siri AI has been unlocked. The Settings app still displays the older icon, suggesting that the new feature may not be ready for beta testers yet.

It is possible that Siri AI on the Apple Watch could be dependent on a server-side switch, which might explain the delay in its availability. Apple has been doing well with Siri AI in previous betas, so expectations are high for the Apple Watch version.

Apple has revealed that the Siri app in watchOS 27 will be integrated into the new dynamic app grid on the Apple Watch. Users will be able to access previous conversations and seamlessly switch between devices while using Siri.

This integration will extend to personal context, allowing users to access information even when their paired iPhone is not available. App integrations will also enable users to perform various actions directly from their Apple Watch.