Apple has officially pushed out the first test versions of iOS 27.3 and watchOS 27.3 to developers, with the full version expected to be released in December. The AI listening function requires the microphone to be on at all times, allowing for real-time monitoring and recording of surrounding conversations, which may potentially violate wiretapping laws in some states in the United States. The new health app can monitor heart rate, vital signs, and steps, among other fitness indicators, and can estimate a user's physiological age based on their health data.
Apple has taken an important step in deeply integrating artificial intelligence into daily life, but the privacy controversies that have arisen as a result have also followed.
On Tuesday, Apple officially pushed out the first test versions of iOS 27.3 and watchOS 27.3 to developers, which include the always-on AI audio monitoring tool as well as a completely overhauled Health app. The full version is expected to be officially launched to users in December.
AI The audio feature was previously unveiled at the product launch event in September. It can track and analyze conversations in the surroundings in real-time through the device's microphone, and compile key points into summaries.
This technology potentially violates wiretapping laws in several U.S. states, once again raising concerns about the privacy of personal data collected by technological devices in daily life.
On Tuesday, Apple's stock price fell by 1.9%.
Audio AI Feature: A Dual Consideration of Convenience and Privacy
In this beta version, the AI audio feature is the most notable and also the most controversial new feature. Currently, it only supports two models of Apple Watch, namely Series 12 and Ultra 4.
The specific functions include two items:
- Siri Recap can automatically organize key topics from nearby conversations into a bullet point list, with a functionality similar to third-party transcription applications such as Granola and Otter.
- Live Rewind allows for the playback and display of the text transcript of conversations from the past 15 seconds. An example use case provided by Apple is in a restaurant, where it eliminates the need to ask the server to repeat themselves.
However, the legal risks associated with such functions cannot be ignored. In the United States, wiretapping laws in some states require the consent of all parties involved in a conversation for recording to be permitted, and there is a potential conflict between Apple's "Environmental Listening" mode and this requirement.
At the same time, as Meta Platforms and other technology companies have successively launched AI devices with capabilities such as recording and videoing, concerns about the privacy implications of technology products in daily life continue to rise. Apple's move is bound to further intensify this discussion.
In response to the aforementioned disputes, Apple highlighted several privacy protection designs:
- When the user invokes Live Rewind, the device will emit an audible prompt sound;
- Audio processing is completed on the local device and does not involve transmission over the Internet;
- The underlying audio data will not be recorded or stored;
- The system will not attribute the conversation content to any specific individual, and summaries will automatically filter out sensitive information such as financial details and personal identification data.
The above functions are currently only available in English and are still in the testing phase.
Health apps have been comprehensively upgraded, targeting competitors such as Whoop and Oura.
This update also brings a redesigned health application from iOS 27.3, with a significantly expanded range of features.
The new version of the app has added a " Insights " tab, which allows monitoring of fitness indicators such as heart rate, vital signs, and steps taken; the " Longevity " tab provides more detailed information regarding heart health, hearing, exercise, metabolism, and mental well-being. In addition, the newly introduced " Health Age " feature can estimate a user's physiological age based on their health data.
Apple pointed out that many of the aforementioned features were previously available on competing platforms such as Whoop and Oura. By integrating them into the native app this time, Apple aims to enhance the competitiveness of its health management ecosystem.
The currently released beta version is open to developers, and Apple usually follows up with a public beta version for ordinary consumers.
In addition to the iPhone and Apple Watch systems, Apple also simultaneously released the first test versions of macOS 27.3, tvOS 27.3, visionOS 27.3, and iPadOS 27.3. The official versions for all platforms are scheduled to be launched in December.
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