Apple AI launches in China, Alibaba and Baidu emerge

What happened: Apple Intelligence is entering the final stage of its launch in mainland China, planned for December via an iOS 27.3 update, per Bloomberg. The first features are ones released in the US two years ago, covering iPhone, iPad and Mac, without the new Siri AI assistant. Key numbers: December launch via iOS 27.3; filing on July 8; Why it matters: Baidu is reported as a partner for search and Siri related features, and Alibaba for AI model integration including Tongyi Wanxiang and Qwen. Sources say Apple management is not optimistic about a near term Siri AI launch in China.

Apple Intelligence is entering the final stage of its launch in mainland China, planned for December via an iOS 27.3 update, per Bloomberg. The first features are ones released in the US two years ago, covering iPhone, iPad and Mac, without the new Siri AI assistant.

Baidu is reported as a partner for search and Siri related features, and Alibaba for AI model integration including Tongyi Wanxiang and Qwen. Sources say Apple management is not optimistic about a near term Siri AI launch in China.