On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Rivian's software chief Wassym Bensaid explained why the EV maker still refuses to offer Apple CarPlay.


In short, Bensaid said Rivian does not want CarPlay to fully take over the software experience.

"The challenge with screen mirroring solutions is that they take over every single pixel in the car," he said.

Instead, Rivian prefers to offer its own interface with "end-to-end integration."

Bensaid added that "deep AI integration into the car" will eventually make the debate over offering CarPlay in vehicles "completely obsolete." He believes that Rivian owners will be able to access the core functionality of many apps through an AI agent, rather than needing to rely on CarPlay or Android Auto.

"I really believe that the way you interact with apps which are mono-threaded, single buttons, single icons, a lot of that will be now completely reshaped into a world where it will become an agentic integration that presents itself into a wholesome user experience to the user," Bensaid explained. However, he admitted that an AI agent becoming an "alternative solution" to CarPlay apps will take time to materialize.

Already, Rivian owners are increasingly less interested in CarPlay, according to Bensaid. He said that Rivian's internal statistics showed that more than 70% of customers wanted CarPlay when their vehicles first launched around five years ago, but he said a recent survey showed that figure is apparently less than 25% now.

"With the level of features that we have shipped to customers, with the level of end-to-end integration, with the level of convenience that we are bringing, CarPlay is, or Android Auto to that extent, is no longer the topic of discussion," he said.
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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared a series of re-created screenshots that reveal iOS 27's all-new Siri app and "Search or Ask" functionality.


The images are renders that were created based on information obtained by Bloomberg.

With the Siri app, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to interact with Apple's assistant in both text and voice modes. The app will allow for back-and-forth conversations, complete with messaging history that can be set to expire. Overall, the Siri app would function similarly to chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

Bloomberg's render of the Siri app:

As rumored, the Siri app has a dark interface by default. There is an "Ask Siri" field at the bottom for text prompts, a microphone icon for switching to voice mode, and a paperclip icon for attaching images and other files. There is also a page that displays past conversations, which can appear in a list or as bubbles on the screen.


iOS 27 will include the long-awaited personalized version of Siri, complete with on-screen awareness and better understanding of your personal context. For example, at WWDC 2024, Apple showed a user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation based on info retrieved from the Mail and Messages apps.

Siri will be more useful when it comes to your personal data. For example, the report said you can ask the new Siri for times you are available for appointments before scheduling something in your calendar. You can also ask Siri to write emails, notes, or text messages using information from your device or the internet.

The new Siri will be built into the Dynamic Island. The report said that iOS 27 users will be able to swipe down from the top center of the iPhone screen anywhere to launch a new "Search or Ask" interface. The ability to say "Siri" or hold down the iPhone's power button for voice-based queries will remain options too.

Bloomberg's render of the "Search or Ask" feature:

The "Search or Ask" interface will include a revamped version of the existing "Siri Suggestions" view that will show frequently used apps, recent web searches, the weather forecast, and shortcuts for actions like recording a voice memo. From there, users can search the web using Apple's new AI-powered search system.

"Search or Ask" results are displayed in a rich text card that pops out of the Dynamic Island, according to the report. For more detailed information, users can swipe down further to open a conversation inside the Siri app.

Given the revamped Siri is powered by Apple Intelligence, it is expected to be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer due to compatibility requirements. Apple and Google reached a deal that will see Gemini help to power the underlying AI models for Apple Intelligence features, including the more personalized version of Siri.

Siri has been able to tap into ChatGPT since iOS 18.2. On iOS 27, Gurman previously reported that a new "Extensions" feature will allow for additional chatbots to be connected, with Gemini and Claude likely to be among the options.

In addition, a Siri mode is coming to the Camera app, and new Apple Intelligence tools like "Reframe" and "Extend" will be added to the Photos app.

Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 and other software updates during its WWDC 2026 keynote, which begins on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Following beta testing, the update should be released in September, bringing the new Siri to the masses.
This article, "iOS 27's Siri App and 'Search or Ask' Feature Shown in Leaked Images" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Roku today announced that its home screen is receiving its biggest redesign in more than a decade. The new home screen will begin rolling out to Roku TVs and streaming devices across the U.S. starting today, with more countries to follow later. The changes will appear automatically, with no software update required.


At the top of the home screen, a new "Top Picks for You" section provides recommendations based on your watch history and what is trending on Roku.

A new AI-powered "Quick Access" section surfaces the apps you use most, such as the Apple TV app. There is still a separate page containing a complete list of apps that you have installed on your Roku device if you need it.


New curated hubs called "Destinations" offer content organized by genres and moods, such as comedy, reality, movies, sports, documentaries, and more.

The menu on the Roku home screen now has a collapsed design with icons, rather than expanded text labels. Roku says this change provides a cleaner canvas for discovering content, but it also results in a large ad being shown persistently on the right side of the screen. Previously, the ad would only appear in certain views.


A new "Shortcuts" section provides quick access to features like Continue Watching, Sleep Timer, Save List, and more, all in one place.

If you are a fan of the Roku City screen saver, there is now an on-screen tile that you can select to view it at any time. You can explore the screen saver's iconic cityscape, plus access Daily Trivia and other mini-games.
This article, "Roku Unveils Redesigned Home Screen" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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