Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 27.3, introducing Audio Intelligence
features for the Apple Watch and a redesigned Health app. The update, which began rolling out on Tuesday, includes new AI-driven capabilities for conversation summarization and expanded Siri app integration.
Apple Watch gains conversation tools
The watchOS 27.3 developer beta introduces Audio Intelligence,
a suite of features designed for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. According to TechCrunch, the technology leverages the S11 chip and Apple Intelligence models to assist users with sound recognition and music identification.
Two specific features focus on human speech: Live Rewind and Siri Recaps. Live Rewind generates text transcripts of the last 15 seconds of audio detected by the watch’s microphone, while Siri Recaps uses ambient listening
to produce high-level summaries of conversations. The Verge reports that these recaps provide short sentences and bullet points to identify key details like deadlines or pricing without providing word-for-word transcriptions.
Apple states that users can tap an Ask Siri
option appearing below a text snippet to ask questions about things heard, such as an unfamiliar technical term or a specific sauce option mentioned by a waiter. To address privacy concerns regarding always-on microphones, the company states that raw audio is handled within dedicated hardware, is not saved as a file, and is not accessible to the operating system, apps, or Apple.
The Verge also notes that if users employ iCloud with two-factor authentication and a device passcode, any saved Siri Recap summaries or Live Rewind snippets sync across devices using end-to-end encryption.
Apple's Audio Intelligence feature for Apple Watch, unveiled at its September hardware event, has now entered Beta testing, initially opened to iOS 27.3 developers and compatible with Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The feature includes four AI capabilities that…
— https://x.com/Awesome_AI_News/status/2117529649517371687
Users can manage these features through the Control Center. The watch provides visual and audible signals when recording a snippet to notify those nearby. These snippets are automatically deleted after 30 seconds unless a user chooses to save them to the Siri app. Regarding Siri Recaps, if a user does nothing, the recaps will delete themselves within seven days. A reminder to review recorded Siri Recaps also appears when the user first unlocks their Apple Watch in the morning. Users may manually enable Siri Recaps or set a schedule, such as preventing them from running at night or only during work hours.
Health app redesign returns
The redesigned Health app, which was previously pulled from an earlier beta, has returned in the iOS 27.3 update. Mashable and Lifehacker both confirm the app’s reappearance, noting it is now built around Apple Intelligence. The app was a notable omission when iOS 27.2 rolled out last week. Apple’s Sumbul Desai previously walked through the overhaul of the Health app in September.
The update includes several new components:
- An Insights tab that summarizes heart, sleep, fitness, and vitals data.
- A Longevity tab focusing on long-term trends in mental wellbeing, nutrition, and metabolic health.
- Health Age, a feature that uses Apple Watch data to compare physical metrics against chronological age.
- At-home movement tests that utilize the iPhone camera and Apple Watch to measure flexibility, strength, balance, and movement mechanics.
The app’s language support has expanded significantly. iPhone in Canada reports that the app now supports global English, French, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. This follows a previous announcement in September that the redesign would initially launch in U.S. English only.
Siri AI and Safari updates
Siri is receiving enhanced “app actions” that allow the assistant to interact more deeply with system applications. 9to5Mac reports that users can now ask Siri to organize files, schedule messages, or create personalized playlists in Apple Music. These actions are compatible with a wide range of apps, including Calendar, Files, Finder, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Preview, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts, and Weather.
Safari has also been updated with two new features. Mashable highlights the arrival of Adaptive Dark Mode,
which automatically applies a dark theme to websites that do not natively support it. 9to5Mac notes the introduction of vertical tabs, allowing users to view open tabs as an icon or as the entire page title to save space.
Apple Watch Audio Intelligence Enters Betahttps://t.co/bhguBYFxoP Audio Intelligence features for Apple Watch are now in beta testing for developers in the iOS 27.3 update. The features were first announced at Apple's September hardware event. Four opt-in features cover… pic.twitter.com/hxu8DvKNJU
— https://x.com/ApollonVisual/status/2117549086144368933
StandBy mode and Fitness+ additions
The StandBy mode, which turns an iPhone into a bedside clock when charging in landscape orientation, is being expanded. MacRumors reports that the new customization options—including updated clock faces and the ability to select Shared Albums for the Photos face—are now available to all iPhone models compatible with the update, following their initial debut on the iPhone Duo. This includes updated versions of Analog and Digital clock faces with more color and complication options.
Finally, Apple Fitness+ is introducing “Gym Strength,” a feature that provides personalized four-week strength-training plans.
Earlier coverage: Apple Releases iOS 27.2 With Siri AI Enhancements and Security Patches